[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1079 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 1079

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                         March 4, 2010.
Whereas, on February 7, 2010, the New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis 
        Colts by a score of 31 to 17 to win the National Football League (NFL) 
        Championship;
Whereas the Saints' victory is the first championship in the franchise's 43-year 
        history;
Whereas the 2009 season was the best in Saints franchise history, including an 
        unprecedented 13-game winning streak;
Whereas Saints owners Tom Benson and Rita Benson LeBlanc have invested in the 
        success of the Saints and have been remarkable in revitalizing this 
        storied franchise and promoting a strong and united New Orleans and 
        Louisiana;
Whereas Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis has been successful in building an 
        outstanding team by drafting new players and signing key free agents;
Whereas Doug Thornton, Senior Vice President of Stadiums and Arenas, helped the 
        Saints return to New Orleans through his integral role in rebuilding the 
        Superdome after Hurricane Katrina;
Whereas Coach Sean Payton, with the help of Defensive Coordinator Gregg 
        Williams, Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael, Jr., and all of the 
        Saints' coaching staff, led the team to its first National Football 
        Conference (NFC) Championship and first ever Super Bowl victory through 
        leadership and a winning philosophy;
Whereas the Saints led the league with an average of 31.9 points and 403.8 yards 
        per game during the 2009 regular season;
Whereas, in the 2009 regular season, the Saints eclipsed team records in most 
        points and most touchdowns in a season and most interceptions returned 
        for a touchdown in a game;
Whereas Saints quarterback Drew Brees set an NFL record by completing 70.6 
        percent of his passes during the 2009 regular season;
Whereas Drew Brees, Darren Sharper, Jahri Evans, Jonathan Vilma, and John 
        Stinchcomb of the Saints were named to the 2010 NFC Pro Bowl squad;
Whereas Drew Brees was named the Most Valuable Player for Super Bowl XLIV;
Whereas during Super Bowl XLIV--

    (1) the Saints accumulated a total of 332 yards;

    (2) quarterback Drew Brees passed for 288 yards, threw 2 touchdowns, 
and tied a Super Bowl record with 32 pass completions;

    (3) Marques Colston led the Saints in receiving with 7 catches for 83 
yards;

    (4) Saints kicker Garrett Hartley set a Super Bowl record with 3 field 
goals of over 40 yards each; and

    (5) Thomas Morstead's perfectly executed onside kick to start the 
second half and Tracy Porter's 74-yard interception for a touchdown late in 
the fourth quarter were integral in the Saints' victory and will forever be 
remembered by the ``Who Dat'' faithful;

Whereas Saints owner Tom Benson, during the Lombardi Trophy presentation at 
        midfield, said ``Louisiana, by the way of New Orleans, is back. And this 
        shows the whole world. We're back.'';
Whereas the Saints' motto all year has been ``Finish Strong'';
Whereas the Saints repeatedly have been called a beacon of hope for the city of 
        New Orleans and a catalyst for recovery throughout Louisiana and the 
        Gulf Coast Region;
Whereas the Saints have positively influenced and lifted the morale of the 
        people in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana and the Gulf Coast 
        Region;
Whereas the New Orleans Saints are headquartered in the 1st Congressional 
        District of Louisiana in Metairie, Louisiana;
Whereas ESPN's Wright Thompson in his article ``Saints the Soul of America's 
        City'' captured the essence and importance of the Saints to the city of 
        New Orleans and noted the resilience of this year's team by stating, 
        ``It's perfect, isn't it? The expansion team whose first roster was 
        created from players unwanted by other teams has finally found success 
        with a similar group.''; and
Whereas the 2009 Saints are evidence of what can be accomplished when self is 
        set aside and a teamwork mentality is adopted by all of the players: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates the New Orleans Saints, the team's coaches and 
        players, and the loyal members of the ``Who Dat'' Nation on winning 
        Super Bowl XLIV; and
            (2) recognizes--
                    (A) the New Orleans Saints as the soul of New Orleans; and
                    (B) the significant contributions made by the team in the 
                recovery efforts of New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Gulf Coast 
                Region.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.