Whereas, on Sunday, February 4, 2007, the Indianapolis
Colts defeated the Chicago Bears by a score of 29–17 to win Super Bowl
XLI;
Whereas Colts owner and chief executive officer Jim Irsay
and the Irsay family have worked to build the Colts organization not only into
a championship caliber team, but also a group dedicated to service in
communities across the State of Indiana;
Whereas Tony Dungy is the first head coach of
African-American descent to lead a team to victory in the Super Bowl;
Whereas Peyton Manning, having thrown for 247 yards and
made 1 touchdown, was named the game’s Most Valuable Player;
Whereas the Colts' defense and special teams were able to
force 5 turnovers and to limit the Bears to 17 points;
Whereas Colts president Bill Polian, widely considered the
architect
of much of the Colts’ recent success, and the Colts
management have assembled a group of players and coaches that has worked
together to win 4 straight championships in the Southern Division of the
American Football Conference;
Whereas the Colts’ regular season record of 12–4 marks the
team's fourth straight year with at least 12 wins, and makes the Colts only the
second team to achieve such consistent success in the history of the National
Football League;
Whereas the Colts are committed to community leadership,
working to help those in Indiana communities who are disadvantaged and
underserved, through the generosity of the Irsay family and player groups such
as the Peyback Foundation and D.R.E.A.M. Alive, Inc.;
Whereas tens of thousands of fans braved bitterly cold
temperatures to line the streets of Indianapolis, Indiana for a victory parade
and the rally that followed in the RCA Dome; and
Whereas Hoosiers from across Indiana and the Nation have
rallied together to cheer the Colts not just for winning, but for winning the
right way, with dignity and professionalism: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate congratulates the
Indianapolis Colts on their victory in Super Bowl XLI.