[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 188 (Tuesday, November 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE 1995 RATTLER FOOTBALL TEAM

                                 ______


                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 28, 1995

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Florida A&M University Rattler football team, who have had a truly 
remarkable year. Florida A&M's play this year is reminiscent of its 
glory days when Jake Gaither was coach and the Rattlers routinely ran 
roughshod over their opponents.
  Coach Billy Joe, in only his second season at the helm of Florida 
A&M's football fortunes, and his Rattlers this year have captured the 
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Football Championship with a perfect 6-
0 conference record and earned a berth in college football's Heritage 
Bowl. The Rattler football team also finished the regular season with a 
9-2 record, ranked 2d in the Sheridan Black College Poll, and 15th in 
the Sports Network NCAA Division I-AA Poll. This was their best season 
since going 12-1 and winning the Inaugural NCAA Division I-AA National 
Championship 17 years ago.
  This is truly a remarkable feat for a young Rattler football team. 
And, for the first time in 17 years there's renewed talk of football 
championships on the highest of Tallahassee's seven hills. For the 
record, the Florida A&M Rattlers have won 11 national championships 
since 1938.
  Florida A&M not only produces championship football teams and great 
marching bands but also great minds. In 1992, Florida A&M University 
won another national championship of sorts by edging out Harvard to 
become the favorite destination of National Achievement Scholars, the 
Nation's most sought-after high school graduates. Florida A&M has 
finished among the top five in the recruitment of these academically 
gifted students in each of the last 5 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I join with Floridians everywhere in extending my 
congratulations to the 1995 Florida A&M University Rattler Football 
Team, the MEAC Champions, on a job well done. I know that my colleagues 
join me in honoring the Rattlers and wish them continued success.

                          ____________________