[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 41 (Wednesday, April 5, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2156-S2157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 281 submitted 
earlier by Senator Levin and myself.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 281) to congratulate the Michigan 
     State University Men's Basketball Team on winning the 2000 
     National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Basketball 
     Championship.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, 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 be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 281) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 281

       Whereas the Michigan State Spartans were Big Ten Conference 
     regular season co-champions, and were winners of the Big Ten 
     Conference Tournament, and, with a 26-7 record, earned a 
     number one seed in the Midwest region of the 1999-2000 
     N.C.A.A. Tournament;
       Whereas the Michigan State Spartans proved their dominance 
     over the Midwest Region in reaching the Final Four, defeating 
     Valparaiso 65-38, Utah 73-61, Syracuse 75-58, and Iowa State 
     75-64;
       Whereas in winning the Midwest Region the Michigan State 
     Spartans reached the Men's Final Four for the second year in 
     a row, last year losing to the Duke University Blue Devils in 
     the semifinals;
       Whereas the Michigan State Spartans vowed after that loss 
     to return to the Final Four in 1999-2000, and to settle for 
     nothing less than the ultimate prize;
       Whereas the Michigan State Spartans moved one step closer 
     to their goal when they defeated the University of Wisconsin 
     Badgers 53-41 for the fourth time of the 1999-2000 season to 
     reach the championship game;
       Whereas in that game, the Michigan State Spartans, with an 
     entire team effort that demonstrated why college athletics 
     are so special, defeated the University of Florida Gators 89-
     76 on April 3, 2000, and won the N.C.A.A. Men's Basketball 
     Championship for the second time in the history of the 
     program;
       Whereas Coach Tom Izzo, who hails from Iron Mountain, 
     Michigan, in only his fifth year coaching the team, has 
     proven himself to be one of the finest coaches in Men's 
     College Basketball, and he and his staff instilled into the 
     Spartans a will to win second to none, exemplified by their 
     cutthroat defense, which suffocated many potent offenses 
     throughout the season, and particularly in the second half of 
     N.C.A.A. Tournament games;
       Whereas Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson, and A.J. Granger, 
     three seniors who have been playing together for four years 
     and who ended their collegiate careers with a win, spurred 
     this team to victory throughout the year, Mr. Cleaves with 
     his incredible leadership, Mr. Peterson with his clutch 
     shooting, and Mr. Granger with his consistent long 
     marksmanship;
       Whereas Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson, and Charlie Bell, 
     three individuals who hail from Flint, Michigan, and have 
     thus been given the nickname ``The Flintstones,'' have been 
     playing together since elementary school, and whose 
     comradeship and loyalty to one another carried out onto the 
     floor, and made the Spartans team a family off the floor as 
     well;
       Whereas Mateen Cleaves, the fearless captain of the team 
     and the all-time assist leader in the Big Ten's history, who 
     led not only with words but also with the example he set, who 
     returned to the championship game after sustaining a high 
     ankle sprain to his right leg, led his team to the title and, 
     like a true champion, made good on his word;
       Whereas Morris Peterson, named the Big Ten Conference 
     Player of the Year, saved the Michigan State Spartans from 
     the clutches of defeat many times this season, and 
     particularly in the tournament, with his laser-like shooting 
     and stingy defense;
       Whereas Charlie Bell, perhaps the best rebounding guard in 
     the nation, also led the team with his quickness, tireless 
     defense effort, and athleticism, and who will be counted upon 
     for his leadership next year;
       Whereas A.J. Granger, displayed his awesome variety of 
     offensive skills in both assisting on, and hitting, several 
     big shots when the Spartans needed them most;
       Whereas Andre Hutson, the man in the middle, who was often 
     called on to shut down the opposing team's top player, 
     particularly in the 1999-2000 tournament, handled his job 
     with a workmanlike skill that defined professionalism, and in 
     doing so provided the Spartans with the whole package the 
     entire year;
       Whereas Mike Chappell, Jason Richardson, and Aloysius 
     Anagonye, provided the Spartans with quality minutes off the 
     bench all year, and particularly in the championship game, 
     where they held their own against the vaunted Florida bench;
       Whereas David Thomas and Adam Ballinger, provided valuable 
     contributions throughout the season and the tournament, both 
     on and off the court, often providing the Spartans with the 
     lift they needed; and
       Whereas the contributions of Steve Cherry, Mat Ishbia and 
     Brandon Smith, both on the court and in practice, 
     demonstrated the total devotion of the Spartans players to 
     the team concept that made the Spartans into the most 
     dominating college basketball team of the new millennium: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States Senate congratulates the 
     Michigan State University Men's Basketball Team on winning 
     the 1999-2000 National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's 
     Basketball Championship.

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I will speak briefly about the 
resolution. I know my colleague, Senator Levin, will as well.
  We rise together today to offer this resolution and to congratulate 
the Michigan State University Spartans men's basketball team for their 
outstanding victory in the NCAA championships which took place Monday 
night.
  As a graduate of Michigan State, I am proud of the skill and 
dedication shown by our Spartans as they defeated the Florida Gators by 
a score of 89-76.
  This was a well-earned victory and the culmination of a splendid 
season. Their 32-7 record is a sign of hard practice, teamwork and an 
overwhelming desire to excel.
  It also is the result of a long history of dedication to success on 
the court. Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson, and A.J. Granger, three 
seniors who have been playing together for four years, spurred this 
team to victory throughout the year. Mateen with his incredible 
leadership. Morris with his clutch shooting. And A.J. with his 
consistent long marksmanship.
  Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson, and Charlie Bell, all hail from 
Flint, Michigan. As a result, thousands of fans known them by their 
nickname, ``The Flintstones.'' These three players have been playing 
basketball together since elementary school. Their comradeship and 
loyalty to one another carried out onto the floor throughout the 
season, and made the Spartans team a family off the floor as well.
  Andre Hutson, the man in the middle, was often called on to shut down 
the teams top player, particularly in the 1999-2000 tournament. He 
handled his job with a workmanlike approach that defined 
professionalism.
  Mike Chappell, Jason Richardson, and Aloysius Anagonye, each provided

[[Page S2157]]

the Spartans with quality minutes off the bench all year, and 
particularly in the championship game, where they held their own 
against the vaunted Florida bench.
  David Thomas and Adam Ballinger, provided valuable contributions 
throughout the season and the tournament, both on and off the court, 
often providing the Spartans with the lift they needed. And Steve 
Cherry, Mat Ishbia, and Brandon Smith demonstrated the total devotion 
of the Spartans players to the team concept both on the court and in 
practice.
  Finally, a special mention must go to Head Coach Tom Izzo, who hails 
from Iron Mountain, Michigan, and is in only his fifth year coaching 
the team. Coach Izzo has proven himself to be one of the finest coaches 
in men's college basketball. He and his staff instilled into the 
Spartans a will to win second to none, exemplified by their cutthroat 
defense, which suffocated many potent offenses throughout the season, 
and particularly in the second half N.C.A.A. Tournament games.
  Coach Izzo has served as in inspiration to his team, and to young men 
throughout Michigan and the nation who share the spirit and excitement 
of the sport of basketball.
  I acknowledge his and his family's contribution. In fact, I had the 
pleasure of attending high school with his wife, Lupe.
  Mr. President, I had the opportunity to attend the championship game, 
and I want to compliment everyone associated with the Spartans for the 
courage and class they exhibited throughout the game, and during the 
entire season. Everyone in Michigan--from Copper Harbor to Monroe, to 
Niles--should be proud of what this team has accomplished.
  In closing, let me say, as a graduate of Michigan State University 
and as one who attended Michigan State at a time when our basketball 
program was not as successful as it has been since Magic Johnson's 
arrival in 1978 and in the time since, how proud I am of my alma mater 
for this great victory for the Spartans green and white.
  I yield the floor to my colleague.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I join Senator Abraham in sponsoring this 
resolution which commends and recognizes the extraordinary successes of 
the Michigan State Spartans.
  As we speak today, about 150,000 people are lining the parade route 
in Lansing, MI, after a rally at our capitol, to welcome home and cheer 
on our heroes.
  College athletics is at best about more than winning. It is about 
hard work and determination and relying on teammates to overcome 
adversity. The Michigan State Spartans surely displayed all of those 
characteristics in their season-long drive to become the national 
champions.
  Coming off a loss to Duke in the Final Four last year, many had 
picked MSU as this year's favorite to win the NCAA Tournament. However, 
when star point guard and former Big Ten Player of the Year Mateen 
Cleaves was sidelined with a stress fracture on his right foot early in 
the season, the hopes of a championship season seemed lost. But the 
Spartans never gave up. The rest of the team pulled together to play 
the first 13 games of the season without their emotional leader.
  When Mateen returned to the basketball team, MSU went on to win their 
third straight Big Ten Championship, clinching the top seed in the 
Midwest region of the NCAA Tournament.
  During the NCAA tournament the Spartans faced many challenges, 
winning come from behind victories against Utah, Syracuse, and Iowa 
State to reach the Final Four for the second straight year. After 
beating conference rival Wisconsin in the semifinals, the stage was set 
for Michigan State to take home their first National Championship title 
since Magic Johnson led the Spartans to victory over Indiana State in 
1979.
  Monday night the young Florida Gators played a great game, but their 
depth and energy didn't quite match the experience and determination of 
the Spartans. Mateen Cleaves led the team in scoring until five minutes 
into the second half when he was sent to the locker room with a 
sprained ankle. While many teams would have crumbled under the pressure 
of playing for the National Championship without their star player and 
floor leader, the Spartans came together like they have done all season 
long and their lead over the Gators grew. When the injured Cleaves came 
back onto the floor, limping up and down the court, his presence 
provided the emotional spark that the team needed to win by a final 
score of 89 to 76.
  In today's sports world where, where many talented young players 
leave college early or don't go at all, and coaches skip from team to 
team it is refreshing to see the kind of dedication that these student 
athletes and their coach have shown. ``The Flintstones''--seniors 
Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson, and junior Charlie Bell, have 
become heroes and role models to those from their hometown of Flint. 
Senior A.J. Granger's often unsung heroics have proved how much these 
Spartans value the success of the team over individual accolades. The 
full roster of that extraordinary team is as follows: Al Anagonye, 
Jason Andreas, Adam Ballinger, Charlie Bell, Mike Chappell, Steve 
Cherry, Mateen Cleaves, A.J. Granger, Lorenzo Guess, Andre Hutson, Matt 
Ishbia, Morris Peterson, Jason Richardson, Brandon Smith, David Thomas, 
and Adam Wolfe.
  Coach Tom Izzo has spent his entire career in Michigan, including 12 
years as an assistant under former Michigan State head coach, Jud 
Heathcote. They have set a wonderful example of what can happen when 
you are willing to combine patience, hard work, and dedication.
  Those names belong in the Congressional Record. They are all being 
honored here for their teamwork, which produced a national champion.
  Coach Tom Izzo has spent his entire career in Michigan, including 12 
years as an assistant under former Michigan State head coach, Jud 
Heathcote. He and his assistants have set an extraordinary example of 
what can happen when you are willing to combine patience, hard work, 
and dedication. Indeed, the whole Michigan State family deserves credit 
because they truly represent, on and off the court, what we frequently 
talk about--family values. They believe in family, both at home and on 
the court. They act as a family and they play as a family. We owe them 
our congratulations and our thanks for that as well.
  There is going to be a long list of bands in that parade going down 
Michigan Avenue in a few minutes. Many of the high school teams from 
around the State will be there. They have been invited to march. One of 
the groups, though, that I want to make special mention of in closing 
is the band from Tom Izzo's hometown of Iron Mountain. Tom Izzo is an 
``Upper,'' as we say; he comes from the UP. His heart has always been 
close to Michigan and Michigan State. He is originally from the UP. It 
is a special treat for him and for all of us that one of the bands 
marching down Michigan Avenue today will be indeed from his hometown of 
Iron Mountain.
  We also pay tribute to the Florida Gators. It was an extraordinary 
game. They deserve an awful lot of credit for what they did to bring 
themselves to the finals. I am sure that in the future their heroics 
will again prove that they will go far in these NCAA tournaments. 
Hopefully, they will again get to the finals and, hopefully, again lose 
to a Michigan team.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico is recognized.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the two 
Senators from Connecticut be permitted to speak as in morning business 
and that their comments be counted toward the remaining time on the 
budget.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, this will take about 5 minutes.

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