[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 3, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING COACH JIM PHELAN AND MOUNT ST. MARY'S MOUNTAINEERS ON 
               EARNING BID TO NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

  (Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
coach Jim Phelan and the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers on earning a bid 
to the NCAA basketball championship for only the second time in their 
school's history.
  The Mounties won the right to go to the Big Dance by defeating the 
Blue Devils of Central Connecticut State on Monday night by a 72-56 
margin. Monday night's victory was the third straight upset for the 
Mountaineers who were seeded sixth entering the Northeast Conference 
Tournament. The Mount was led by the smooth shooting of Gregory Harris 
and the tenacious defense of Melvin Whitaker.
  In addition to earning a right to play in the NCAA championships, 
Monday's victory was also an historic event for their longtime coach. 
Jim Phelan became only the fourth coach in NCAA history to win 800 
games. He joins the ranks of Adolph Rupp, Dean Smith and Clarence 
Gaines and is the winningest active coach in the NCAA. Coach Phelan's 
800 wins demonstrate his commitment to the school, his players and his 
community. I am convinced the Hall of Fame is just around the corner.
  Congratulations Mount Saint Mary's, and congratulations Coach Jim 
Phelan.

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