[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 27, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9395-S9396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 164--CONGRATULATING THE BLACK BEARS OF THE UNIVERSITY 
         OF MAINE FOR WINNING THE 1999 NCAA HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP

  Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Ms. Collins) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 164

       Whereas the Black Bears of the University of Maine defeated 
     the Wildcats of the University of New Hampshire by a score of 
     3 to 2 in overtime in Anaheim, California, on April 3, 1999, 
     to win the 1999 NCAA hockey championship;
       Whereas the Maine Black Bears finished their season with an 
     impressive record of 31-6-4, losing only 1 game at home;
       Whereas the Maine Black Bears have brought the NCAA hockey 
     championship home to Maine for the 2d time this decade;
       Whereas the Maine Black Bears coaching staff and players 
     displayed outstanding dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship 
     throughout the season to achieve collegiate hockey's highest 
     honor; and
       Whereas the Maine Black Bears have brought pride and honor 
     to the State of Maine: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate congratulates the Black Bears of 
     the University of Maine for winning the 1999 NCAA hockey 
     championship.
       Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to the president of the University of 
     Maine.

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate the 
University of Maine Black Bear hockey team--winner of the National 
Collegiate Athletic Association Division I hockey championship for the 
second time this decade.

[[Page S9396]]

  Mr. President, collegiate athletics have been an important part of 
the educational experience for generations. As an adjunct to academics, 
collegiate sports at their best teach the values of teamwork, the 
virtues of good sportsmanship, the lessons of disappointment, and the 
joys of personal as well as collective achievement.
  Collegiate sports also bring communities and, often, entire states 
together. In Maine, there are few places charged with the level of 
excitement and comradery you'll find in Orono's Alfond Arena, where the 
action is close, the play intense, and the pride palpable.
  But you don't need to be at the Alfond to feel the excitement. All 
Over Maine, families gather to watch their team and cheer ``Go Blue''--
from Fort Kent to Calais to Cumberland to Kittery.
  And this year especially, the Black Bears gave us a lot to cheer 
about. With a 31, 6 and 4 record, the 1998-1999 Maine Black Bears 
hockey team clearly played to win--and achieved that goal with 
remarkable regularity. And with only one loss coming at home, the Black 
Bears at Alfond were almost as sure a thing as snow in January.
  In the playoffs--which included three New England Teams--the Black 
Bears continued to thrill all of Maine, rewarding audiences with 
college hockey as it was meant to be played.
  Maine's players never gave in and they never gave up. Unyielding in 
their play, believing in themselves to the very end, Maine clinched the 
championship in a hard-fought, well-played overtime game against a 
superb University of New Hampshire team. And at that moment, Mainers 
near and far--even those who didn't attend my alma mater--were reunited 
with each other in the spirit of fellowship and victory.
  So it is an honor for me to commend each and every member of the 
Black Bear team--not only for their tremendous commitment to personal 
excellence, but also to the success of the entire team.
  In particular, seniors Steve Kariya, Marcus Gustafsson, Jason 
Vitorino, Bobby Stewart, and David Cullen thrilled us with their 
outstanding play and their remarkable leadership. And Maine's goalie, 
junior Aflie Michaud, deserves special mention for stopping an 
astounding 46 shots--a feat that rightfully brought him the honor of 
being named the tournament's most valuable player.
  Finally, I applaud the Black Bear coaching staff for a job well done. 
You can't win without the fundamentals, and Maine's coaches certainly 
had this team prepared to take the ice--just ask their opponents. But 
perhaps most importantly, they took young men who were talented in 
their own right and made them into something even far more formidable--
a singular, unstoppable force that would not be denied in its quest to 
become the very best.
  Mr. President, there is something about excellence, especially at the 
highest levels of competition, that elevates all those who come in 
contact with it. And the magic of a sport like hockey is that, even if 
you have never strapped on a skate, never taken a slapshot, never iced 
a puck, never scored a hat trick, you're amazed by the passion of those 
who do. You're inspired by the athleticism and artistry. And you come 
to believe that perhaps we all have the potential for greatness, if 
only we are willing to work hard enough and care deeply enough to 
pursue our dreams.
  The 1999 Maine Black Bears hockey team had the kind of year that 
dreams are made of. Today, by virtue of posting a win in the last game 
of the last NCAA Hockey tournament of the century, Maine is truly the 
final word in college hockey.
  On behalf of the people of Maine, I commend the players, staff, and 
administration at the University of Maine hockey program for a season 
to remember. All of Maine is very proud, and we look forward to many 
more seasons of excitement in the new millennium.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to join Senator Snowe in 
offering a resolution congratulating the University of Maine Men's Ice 
Hockey team, who, as many of my colleagues know, won the 1999 NCAA 
Division I Hockey Championship earlier this year.
  Like all who watched the thrilling championship game on April 3, I 
was on the edge of my seat when Marcus Gustafsson scored the game-
winning goal to give the Black Bears a heart-stopping 3-2 overtime 
victory over the University of New Hampshire Wildcats. This incredible 
victory gave the Black Bears their second national championship in 
seven years--and nearly gave me a heart attack. I must say, had the 
game not been as close as it was, I would have been able to relax a bit 
more that night. But as any sports fan knows, a close game--
particularly a game that is won in overtime--is all the more rewarding, 
and much more befitting as the crowning achievement of a national 
champion.
  In Maine, where we take our sports seriously despite not having any 
major league sports teams, the Black Bears are a tremendous source of 
pride. As anyone traveling on the Maine Turnpike can tell you, signs 
that once welcomed you to ``Vacationland'' now welcome you to the home 
of the NCAA Hockey Champions. This year the Black Bears once again 
earned our admiration with an impressive record of 31 wins, 6 losses, 
and 4 ties. Also, they repeatedly wowed the faithful Maine fans by 
winning all but one game on their home ice--the beloved Alfond Arena.
  Throughout the season, the players and coaching staff all showed 
tremendous dedication and heart, and their ability to work together as 
a team was second to none. They advanced boldly through the NCAA 
tournament, beating Boston College in overtime at the ``Frozen Four,'' 
and ultimately earned the right to play in the championship game 
against the University of New Hampshire Wildcats--a team that had 
beaten the Black Bears twice earlier in the season. Not to be denied, 
the Black Bears persevered and beat the Wildcats when it mattered the 
most.
  True to form for any national championship team, the Black Bears have 
a tremendous amount of talent. Four Maine men were selected in this 
year's National Hockey League draft, and I suspect that several more of 
their teammates will eventually join them in playing professional 
hockey. What made this team great, however, was its strong 
determination, its ability to work together, and its perseverance. It 
is these qualities that produce championships, and they are qualities 
that will continue to serve these fine young men very well--both on and 
off the ice.
  Since winning the championship, the Black Bears have enjoyed a 
substantial amount of much-deserved recognition. I was proud to be 
among those fans who were on hand to welcome the victorious team home, 
and I was also pleased to speak at an awards dinner in the team's 
honor. Soon, Maine's players and coaches will be honored by the 
President at the White House. Therefore, I believe it is altogether 
fitting and proper that the Senate add its voice, and recognize the 
Black Bears' accomplishments, by adopting the resolution that I so 
proudly offer with Senator Snowe. While the Senate chamber may not be 
Alfond Arena, it is most appropriate that I close my remarks with the 
chant, ``M-A-I-N-E 

Gooooooo Blue!''
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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