[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 37 (Thursday, March 20, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2718-S2719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 66--COMMENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOOTBALL 
                                  TEAM

  Mr. MACK (for himself and Mr. Graham) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 66

       Whereas the University of Florida can trace its beginnings 
     to 1853 but was formally established by the State of Florida 
     when Florida Agricultural College merged with East Florida 
     Seminary, South Florida Military College, and St. Petersburg 
     Normal & Industrial School in 1905;
       Whereas the University of Florida adopted the colors of 
     orange and blue for its athletic team in 1905 and the 
     alligator as the school's mascot in 1908;
       Whereas the origins of intercollegiate football at the 
     University of Florida can be traced back to 1901, when Dr. 
     T.H. Taliaferro, president of the Florida State Agricultural 
     College, enthusiastically endorsed the new sport of football 
     and by that deed ensured that the University of Florida 
     Fightin' Gator football team exists today;
       Whereas the University of Florida is a founding member of 
     the Southeastern Conference, considered by many to be the 
     toughest conference in college football;

[[Page S2719]]

       Whereas the students, alumni, and friends of the University 
     of Florida are to be commended for the dedication, 
     enthusiasm, and admiration they share for the Fightin' Gator 
     football team;
       Whereas in 1990, Stephen Orr Spurrier, the most fabled 
     football player in the history of the University of Florida 
     and winner of the Heisman Trophy in 1966, was hired to be the 
     head football coach to lead the team to the ever elusive 
     ``Year of the Gator'';
       Whereas in 1992, Coach Spurrier and his assistant coaches 
     recruited a group of talented athletes who went on to form 
     the nucleus of the 1996 football team;
       Whereas the 1996 Fightin' Gator football team compiled a 
     record of 12 wins and 1 loss and outscored their opponents by 
     a margin of 611 points to 221 points, and for this 
     achievement the Fightin' Gator football team was recognized 
     by the Associated Press and the Division I college football 
     coaches as college football's 1996 Division I national 
     champions;
       Whereas the 1996 Fightin' Gators football team and coaches 
     are to be commended for winning the school's first Division I 
     collegiate football national championship.
       Whereas the 1996 Fightin' Gator football team broke several 
     school, Southeastern Conference, and Division I football 
     records during the 1996 football season;
       Whereas the 1996 senior class of Fightin' Gator football 
     team should be commended for their leadership and their 
     ``team first'' approach that helped win the 1996 Division I 
     Collegiate football national championship, 4 consecutive 
     Southeastern Conference football championships, and the most 
     victories for a senior class in school history;
       Whereas Danny Wuerffel, the team's quarterback, field 
     leader, and spiritual leader should be commended for winning 
     numerous awards and accolades for his performance during the 
     1996 football season including the Heisman Trophy, which is 
     presented yearly to college football's most outstanding 
     player, and the Draddy Scholarship Trophy, which is presented 
     annually to the Nation's premier football scholar athlete;
       Whereas Lawrence Wright, the team's strong safety, should 
     be commended for winning the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award, 
     which is presented yearly to college football's most 
     outstanding defensive back;
       Whereas Reidel Anthony, one of the team's clutch wide 
     receivers, should be commended for being selected by both the 
     Football Writers Association and the Associated Press to 
     their respective college football All-American teams;
       Whereas Ike Hilliard, another of the team's deep threats at 
     wide receiver, should be commended for being selected by the 
     Walter Camp Football Foundation as a member of its college 
     football All-American team;
       Whereas all the loyal sons and daughters of the University 
     of Florida join together in honoring Coach Spurrier and the 
     1996 Florida Fightin' Gators for winning the 1996 NCAA 
     Division I football championship; and
       Whereas the 1996 season will be known forever in the hearts 
     and minds of the University of Florida faithful as the ``Year 
     of the Gator'': Now therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the University of Florida for winning the 1996 
     Division I collegiate football national championship;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of all the players, 
     coaches, and support staff who were instrumental in helping 
     the University of Florida win the 1996 Division I collegiate 
     football national championship and invites them to the 
     Capitol to be honored in an appropriate manner to be 
     determined;
       (3) requests that the President recognize the 
     accomplishments and achievements of the 1996 University of 
     Florida Fightin' Gator football team and invite the team to 
     Washington, D.C. for the traditional White House ceremony 
     held for national championship teams; and
       (4) directs the Secretary of the Senate to make available 
     enrolled copies of this resolution to the University of 
     Florida for appropriate display and to transmit an enrolled 
     copy to each member of the 1996 University of Florida 
     Division I collegiate national championship football team.

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