[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 40 (Tuesday, April 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY'S BASKETBALL PROGRAM

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the University of Kentucky's 
basketball program has a rich and storied legacy; more wins than any 
team in college basketball history, six NCAA titles, more appearances 
in the NCAA tournament than any other program, and 38 Southeastern 
Conference titles. But, those statistics only begin to tell the tale. 
Even with all these successes, the 1996-97 edition of the Wildcats will 
carry a special place in the hearts of Kentucky fans. For the real 
story behind the UK basketball team is the love affair the fans have 
with the Big Blue's program.
  It was not so long ago, Mr. President, that even one loss was enough 
to launch some in the Commonwealth into a fit of pique. So accustomed 
to winning, some Wildcat fanatics had grown unable to accept an 
occasional setback. Even worse, many had forgotten how to enjoy the 
hard-earned victories that talented Kentucky teams continually 
produced.
  Today there is a new attitude in the bluegrass, Mr. President. An 
attitude which exults in victories and championships without believing 
the end of the world is near if their beloved Cats happen to come up 
short. An attitude derived from the players and coaches themselves. An 
attitude borne of hard work and the satisfaction brought by the 
unparalleled success that hard work has produced.
  Never has this been more true than with this year's Kentucky squad. 
With the odds stacked against the team all year long, the fans were 
able to revel in a 35-5 season, a Southeastern Conference tournament 
title and a national runnerup trophy. Not bad for a squad that lost 
four players to the NBA draft, two starters to injury and returned only 
one starter from the previous year's national championship team. At 
times this year, many would agree that the MVP of the team was trainer 
``Fast'' Eddie Jamiel.
  These young men, Coach Rick Pitino, and Athletic Director C.M. Newton 
deserve special recognition for reminding us all that how you play the 
game is as important as the final result. Not once during a roller-
coaster season did any player or coach complain about the difficulty of 
the challenges at hand. Excuses are for losers, and there are no losers 
associated with this Wildcat team of overachievers.
  The Fabulous Five, the Fiddlin' Five, Rupp's Runts, the 
Unforgettables, the Untouchables, and now the Unbelievables. Other 
Kentucky teams had more talent but never has a Wildcat group worked as 
hard. This team had tremendous pride due to the fact that ``KENTUCKY'' 
was stitched in bold blue letters across their chests. They took that 
pride and used it to achieve more than any fan or so-called expert 
could have hoped for. I join Wildcat faithful across the Nation in 
saluting this year s gallant effort. 

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