[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 31 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2218]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA'S BULLDOGS AND LADY BULLDOGS

 Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I am delighted to have this 
opportunity to congratulate the University of Georgia men's and women's 
basketball teams on their outstanding seasons. Georgia fans all over 
the country have had the pleasure of watching these two teams play 
great basketball in a conference known for its competitiveness. Tubby 
Smith's Bulldogs and Andy Landers' Lady Bulldogs earned No. 3 and No. 2 
regional seeds, respectively, in the NCAA Tournament, making Georgia 
one of only three schools in the Nation to claim two top four seeds in 
the tournament.
  Coach Tubby Smith, came to Georgia from the University of Tulsa in 
1995. He led the 1996 Bulldogs to a 21-10 record and their first NCAA 
Tournament bid in 5 years. The team won their first NCAA Tournament 
game in 9 years and made it to the Sweet 16. This year, Coach Smith 
took a team with no returning starters and tied for the most wins in 
Georgia men's basketball's 91-year history. As a result of their 24-8 
record, they received the No. 3 seed in the NCAA southeast regional.
  Coach Andy Landers has been coaching the Lady Bulldogs since 1979. 
During his 17 seasons at Georgia, Landers has become one of our 
Nation's elite women's basketball coaches. The Lady Bulldogs have 
appeared in 13 NCAA Tournaments, 4 NCAA final fours, and won 5 SEC 
titles during Coach Landers' tenure. These achievements have earned him 
the honors of National Coach of the Year for 3 years and SEC Coach of 
the Year for 3 years. The Lady Bulldogs were the SEC regular season 
champions and have a record of 22-5.
  The University of Georgia is fortunate to have individuals of the 
caliber of Tubby Smith and Andy Landers coaching their basketball 
teams. Not only are these fine coaches teaching their players 
basketball skills, but important lessons for life--courage, stamina, 
tenacity, and grace under pressure. Although they have enjoyed great 
success throughout their coaching careers, their achievements go far 
beyond their great talents in coaching. They have given back to their 
community in countless ways. Coach Landers contributes his time and 
energy to the United Way of Northeast Georgia, and Coach Smith is also 
involved in the United Way of Northeast Georgia, as well as the 
American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. I would be 
hard pressed to enumerate all of their contributions to the University 
of Georgia, the Athens community and to all of the athletes whose lives 
they have touched.
  All of the athletes and coaches of University of Georgia Bulldogs and 
Lady Bulldogs have displayed their skills and dedication to excellence 
in basketball throughout this entire season. I extend my best wishes to 
the Bulldogs' and Lady Bulldogs' basketball teams as they begin play in 
the NCAA Tournament, and to the University of Georgia Athletic 
Department for its continued success.

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