III 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 144 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 10, 2007 Ms. Stabenow (for herself and Mr. Levin) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Honoring the Michigan State University Spartans on winning the 2007 Men's National Collegiate Hockey Championship.

Whereas, on Saturday, April 7, 2007, the Michigan State University (MSU) Men’s Hockey Team won the 2007 Men’s Hockey National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship by defeating Boston College by a score of 3 to 1; Whereas entering the final period with a one-goal deficit, the Spartans rallied to tie the game at 1 to 1, and with 18.9 seconds remaining in regulation, scored the go-ahead goal to secure MSU Hockey's third national championship, and first since 1986; Whereas the MSU Spartans won the NCAA Midwest Regional in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to qualify for the Frozen Four finals, making them the first Central Collegiate Hockey Association team to reach the tournament finals since 1998; Whereas each member of the MSU Hockey organization made essential contributions to the team’s success, including players Justin Abdelkader, Tim Crowder, Jeff Dunne, Tyler Howells, Brandon Gentile, Ethan Graham, Bobby Jarosz, Justin Johnston, Tim Kennedy, Kurt Kivisto, Chris Lawrence, Bryan Lerg, Jeff Lerg, Zak McClellan, Jim McKenzie, Steve Mnich, Chris Mueller, Michael Ratchuk, Matt Schepke, Chris Snavely, Jay Sprague, Daniel Sturges, Nick Sucharski, Ryan Turek, Daniel Vukovic, and Brandon Warner, Head Coach Rick Comley, Assistant Coaches Tom Newton and Brian Renfrew, and Athletic Trainer Dave Carrier; Whereas MSU Spartans’ Head Coach Rick Comley, who was named a 2007 National Coach of the Year finalist, became the third coach in college hockey history to win national titles at two institutions, the first with Northern Michigan University, and has recorded over 700 career victories, making him the third winningest coach amongst active coaches, and fifth winningest in NCAA history; Whereas at the Frozen Four Championship game in St. Louis, a record 19,432 people attended and the enthusiasm shown by the people of Michigan and the student body of Michigan State University clearly demonstrates Michigan’s strong support for the MSU Hockey organization and the determined effort of all the team’s players; Whereas MSU Hockey's third NCAA title will be celebrated in East Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday, April 10, 2007, and its members honored with a parade followed by a rally at Munn Ice Arena; Whereas the families and friends of the team have provided unwavering support and have tirelessly cheered on their Spartans; Whereas after many trials and tribulations in the later part of the season, the Spartans rallied together with unrivaled team character and focus to clinch the NCAA title; Whereas Michigan State University has always stood as a center for excellence in both athletics and scholarship, under the current leadership of University President Lou Anna K. Simon, and Athletic Director and renowned former MSU Hockey coach Ron Mason; Whereas the MSU Spartans displayed unparalleled team camaraderie and have shown their ability to unite both on and off the ice, which led to hard-fought victories throughout the season; and Whereas the Spartan Men's Hockey Team demonstrated superior strength, skill, perseverance, and determination during the 2006–2007 season and has made Michigan State University and the entire State of Michigan proud: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)congratulates the Michigan State University Men’s Hockey Team on winning the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship and recognizes all the players, coaches, staff, fans, families, and others who were instrumental in this great achievement; and (2)directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to Michigan State University and to the MSU Spartans Men’s Hockey Team for appropriate display.