[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 37 (Thursday, March 20, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2733-S2735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           COMMENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOOTBALL TEAM

  Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 66 submitted earlier 
today by Senators Mack and Graham.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 66) commending the University of 
     Florida Football Team for winning the 1996 Division 1 
     Collegiate Football National Championship.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. MACK. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a resolution 
saluting the University of Florida football team on winning the 1996 
National Football Championship.
  As a proud alumnus of the University of Florida, I join with all 
those who have worn the Orange and Blue--both on and off the field--in 
honoring Coach Steve Spurrier, his staff and the football team for this 
outstanding accomplishment.
  From its humble beginnings in 1906 to the present, the University of 
Florida's football program has had a rich and proud history. But 1996 
will be forever known in the hearts and minds of the Gator faithful as 
``The Year of the Gator.''
  From the season opener in ``The Swamp'' to the national championship 
title game in the Sugar Bowl, the Gator faithful knew that with Steve 
Spurrier as their coach and Danny Wuerffel as the team's quarterback, 
field leader and spiritual leader, the 1996 season would indeed be one 
to remember.
  The 1996 football team compiled a record of 12 wins and 1 loss and 
outscored their opponents 611 to 221 points in winning its fourth 
consecutive SEC championship and its first-ever national football 
championship.
  For this achievement, the University of Florida was recognized by the 
Associated Press and major college football coaches as the 1996 
national champions.
  This season will also be remembered because for the first time in the 
history of the Heisman Trophy, an award which is presented annually to 
college football's most outstanding player, the winner played under a 
head coach who also had won the Heisman Trophy. Coach Steve Spurrier 
and Danny Wuerffel should be commended for this high honor.
  It is also important to note that for the first time since the NCAA 
has been keeping records, two division I college football teams from 
the same State have played each other for college football's national 
championship.
  I also want to take this moment to honor Coach Bobby Bowden and the 
Florida State University football team for their outstanding season and 
for reaching the national championship game. While they didn't win the 
game, the Seminoles and their fans should be proud of their 
achievements and commended for an outstanding season.
  The State of Florida is indeed fortunate to be home to three of the 
finest college football teams in the Nation: The University of Florida, 
Florida State University, and the University of Miami. Together these 
three teams combined have won six college football national 
championships.
  But in 1996, the national football championship was won by the 
University of Florida. Not only is this a special accomplishment that 
will long be remembered by the coaches and players, but it is also a 
moment to savor for Gator fans. After 90 years of ups and downs, great 
victories and frustration, the Fightin' Gators are finally the national 
champions of college football. All the loyal sons and daughters of the 
University of Florida--wherever they may be--join me today in 
congratulating Coach Steve Spurrier, his staff, and the 1996 Fightin' 
Gator football team on winning the 1996 college football's national 
championship.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to print in the Record the 
names of the Gator players, coaches, and staff along with their season 
record and the final polls with the Florida Gators in the top position 
as the national champions.
  There being no objection, the list was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

         University of Florida 1996 National Football Champions

     Players
     Tremayne Allen
     Reidel Anthony
     Ernie Badeaux
     Tyrone Baker
     James Bates
     Ronnie Battle
     Tim Beauchamp
     Cheston Blackshear
     Noah Brindise
     Teako Brown
     Pat Browning
     Scott Bryan
     Zuri Buchanan
     Jayme Campbell
     Cooper Carlisle
     Derrick Chambers
     Ed Chester
     Willie Cohens
     Mo Collins
     Collins Cooper
     Keith Council
     Camerson Davis
     Reggie Davis
     Jason Dean
     Ernie Dubose
     Craig Dudley
     Dwight Edge
     Bart Edmiston
     Jerome Evans
     McDonald Ferguson
     Rod Frazier
     Tony George
     Rod Graddy
     Jacquez Green
     Buck Gurley
     Fred Hagberg
     Mike Harris
     Thomas Hewitt
     Ike Hilliard
     Todd Holland
     Al Jackson
     Denise Stevens
     Tom Williams
     Demetric Jackson
     Terry Jackson
     Doug Johnson
     Ryan Kalich
     Nafis Karim
     Jevon Kearse
     Trey Killingsworth
     Erron Kinney
     Sean Ladd
     Demetrius Lewis
     Anthone Lott
     Eugene McCaslin
     Xavier McCray
     Reggie McGrew
     Travis McGriff
     Anthony Mitchell
     Jeff Mitchell
     Dwayne Mobley
     Mike Moten
     David Nabavi
     Shawn Nunn
     Daryl Owens
     Alonza Pendergrass
     Jason Perry
     Mike Peterson
     Zach Piller
     Dock Pollard
     Alan Rhine
     Jamie Richardson
     Larry Richart
     Wyley Ritch
     Willie Rodgers
     Taras Ross
     Johnny Rutledge
     Brian Schottenheimer
     Nick Schiralli
     Shea Showers
     Teddy Sims
     Ian Skinner
     Robby Stevenson
     Deac Story
     Fred Taylor
     Matt Teague
     Dwayne Thomas
     Kavin Walton
     Cedric Warren
     Fred Weary
     Elijah Williams
     Scott Wise
     Lawrence Wright
     Danny Wuerffel
     Jon Xynidis
     Correy Yarbrough
     Billy Young
     Donnie Young
     Michael Younkins
     Zac Zedalis

     President: Dr. John Lombardi

     Director of Athletics: Jeremy Foley
     Coaching Staff
     Head Coach Steve Spurrier
     Rod Broadway
     Jim Collins
     Dwayne Dixon
     Carl Franks
     Lawson Holland
     Bob Sanders
     Jimmy Ray Stephens
     Bob Stoops

[[Page S2734]]

     Barry Wilson
     Steve Spurrier, Jr.
     Aubrey Hill
     Strength & Conditioning
     Jerry Schmidt
     Rob Glass
     Patt Moorer
     Randy Popple
     Support Staff
     Norm Carlson
     Dr. Keith Carodine
     Bud Fernandez
     Dave Houts
     John Humenik
     Dr. Pete Indelicato
     Jeff Kamis
     Betty Ling
     Greg McGarity
     Chris Partick
     Nancy Sain
     Tim Sain
     Dr. Dick Shaara
     Danny Sheldon
     Jamie Speronis
     Mike Wasik

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              1996 SCHEDULE                             
                                                                        
August 31st...................  Florida    55  SW Louisiana           21
September 7th.................  Florida    62  Georgia Southern       14
September 21st................  Florida    29  Tennessee              29
September 28th................  Florida    65  Kentucky                0
October 5th...................  Florida    42  Arkansas                7
October 12th..................  Florida    56  Louisiana State        13
October 19th..................  Florida    51  Auburn                 10
November 2nd..................  Florida    47  Georgia                 7
November 9th..................  Florida    28  Vanderbilt             21
November 16th.................  Florida    52  South Carolina         25
November 30th.................  Florida    21  Florida State          24
                                                                        
                       1996 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME                       
                                                                        
December 7th..................  Florida    45  Alabama                30
                                                                        
                     1996 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME                    
                                                                        
January 2nd...................  Florida    52  Florida State          20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     1996 Final Division 1 Rankings


                         Associated Press Poll

     1. University of Florida
     2. Ohio State University
     3. Florida State University
     4. Arizona State University
     5. Brigham Young University
     6. University of Nebraska
     7. Penn State University
     8. University of Colorado
     9. University of Tennessee
     10. University of North Carolina
     11. University of Alabama
     12. Louisiana State University
     13. Virginia Tech University
     14. University of Miami (Fla)
     15. Northwestern University
     16. University of Washington
     17. Kansas State University
     18. University of Iowa
     19. University of Notre Dame
     20. University of Michigan
     21. Syracuse University
     22. University of Wyoming
     23. University of Texas
     24. Auburn University
     25. U.S. Military Academy (Army)


                       USA Today/CNN Coaches Poll

     1. University of Florida
     2. Ohio State University
     3. Florida State University
     4. Arizona State University
     5. Brigham Young University
     6. University of Nebraska
     7. Penn State University
     8. University of Colorado
     9. University of Tennessee
     10. Univerity of North Carolina
     11. University of Alabama
     12. Virginia Tech University
     13. Louisiana State University
     14. University of Miami (Fla)
     15. University of Washington
     16. Northwestern University
     17. Kansas State University
     18. University of Iowa
     19. Syracuse University
     20. University of Michigan
     21. University of Notre Dame
     22. University of Wyoming
     23. University of Texas
     24. U.S. Military Academy (Army)
     25. Auburn University

  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today with my distinguished 
colleague and fellow Florida Gator, Senator Connie Mack, to 
congratulate this year's national champions and one of the top football 
programs in the history of the Southeastern Conference, the University 
of Florida Gators. The Gators clinched their first national 
championship in football on January 2, 1997 when they defeated the 
Florida State University Seminoles in the Louisiana Superdome in New 
Orleans. This year's triumph is indeed special and came on the heels of 
a perfect nine win season in the Southeastern Conference, which is, as 
my colleagues know, one of the toughest leagues in college football.
  The Gators defeated the Florida State football team by a score of 52-
20 in the Sugar Bowl on January 2nd. It was truly an impressive and 
memorable display of leadership, dedication and teamwork by a college 
football team. This historic victory by the Gators not only brought 
with it the team's first national championship, but the Gators also set 
an unprecedented number of bowl records including the largest margin of 
victory against a No. 1 ranked team and the most points scored in a 
Sugar Bowl game.
  I would also like to commend Florida State's Head Coach, Bobby Bowden 
and his fine team of football players for their magnificent season and 
for earning the right to play in the national championship. Although 
Florida State didn't win the game on January 2nd, they had a great 
season and they and their fans should be proud of their 
accomplishments.
  The Gators managed to play its full complement of players during the 
season and devastated their opponents by averaging: 46.6 points per 
game, 333.9 yards passing per game and 503.9 yards total offense per 
game. Among their numerous record breaking achievements on the football 
field, the Gators' players also managed to bring home the Heisman 
Trophy, the Maxwell Award, the Unitas Award, the Davey O'Brien Award 
and the Thorpe Award to name just a few.
  Under the extraordinary tutelage and superior leadership of Head 
Coach Steve Spurrier, the University of Florida football program rose 
above all others on the field in 1996. Prior to his arrival in 1990, no 
Florida Gator football team had captured an official Southeastern 
Conference championship in 56 years even though the university was a 
charter member of the league.
  That trend changed in 1990, and Coach Spurrier's Gators have won at 
least nine games in each season since his arrival. The 1996 Florida 
Gators have the distinct honor of winning an unprecedented fourth 
consecutive Southeastern Conference championship and their fifth since 
Coach Spurrier's arrival. Over the past seven seasons, Coach Spurrier 
and his talented staff of assistants have posted a remarkable record of 
73 wins on the football field, and in the always tough, Southeastern 
Conference, the Gators have achieved a remarkable record of 53 wins. 
During his tenure, the Gators have lost exactly two games at Ben Hill 
Griffin Stadium, an 80,000 seat fortress that Spurrier has dubbed ``the 
swamp.''
  It is clear that the University of Florida Gators have been winners 
on the football field, but their winning doesn't stop there. 
Academically, the Gators have excelled equally as well. They have 
achieved a tremendous graduation rate for an NCAA Division I football 
program, and 16 members of this year's team were named to the 
Southeastern Conference's Academic Honor Roll. In addition to their 
awards for athletic achievement, Lawrence Wright and Danny Wuerffel 
both received Scholar-Athlete Awards from the College Football 
Association.
  Their achievements don't stop on the football field, however. The 
Gators have also been major contributors to the greater Gainesville 
community where they volunteer countless hours in support of worthy 
causes like a literacy program, an international youth education 
program and support students with disabilities.
  As a Gator and a graduate of the University of Florida, I am 
extremely proud of the 1996 Florida Gators and Head Coach Steve 
Spurrier for their outstanding achievements both on and off of the 
football field.
  Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I take some pride in that my brother 
graduated from the University of Florida. So I will join in those 
congratulations.
  I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, 
and that any statements relating to the resolution appear at this point 
in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 66) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

                               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

[[Page S2735]]

     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;
       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 the 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.

                          ____________________