[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4011-S4012]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 76--CONGRATULATING THE EAGLES OF BOSTON COLLEGE FOR 
            WINNING THE 2001 MEN'S ICE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP.

  Mr. KENNEDY (for himself and Mr. Kerry) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 76

       Whereas the Boston College Eagles men's ice hockey team had 
     a remarkable season, concluding by defeating the tenacious 
     Fighting Sioux of the University of North Dakota 3-2 in 
     overtime.
       Whereas the victory by the Boston College Eagles marked the 
     first national championship in ice hockey for Boston College 
     since 1949;
       Whereas the championship victory concluded a brilliant 
     season for Boston College in which the team compiled a record 
     of 33 wins, eight loses, and two ties;
       Whereas the winning overtime goal for Boston College by 
     Krys Kolanos produced the victory;
       Whereas coach Jerry York, who grew up in Watertown, 
     Massachusetts and starred on the 1967 Boston College team, 
     deserves great

[[Page S4012]]

     credit for taking the Boston College Eagles to the ``Frozen 
     Four'' NCAA finals for the past four years;
       Whereas eleven players on the Boston College Eagles team 
     grew up in Massachusetts or played high school hockey in the 
     state;
       Whereas the Eagles victory was also made possible by goals 
     by Chuck Kobasew and Mike Lephart, and by goalie Scott 
     Clemmensen, who played a magnificent game by making 34 saves 
     for the Eagles.
       Whereas the Boston College Eagles are flying high after 
     winning the 2001 National Collegiate Athletic Association 
     Men's Ice Hockey Championship: now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate commends the Eagles of Boston 
     College for winning the 2001 National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association Men's Ice Hockey Championship.

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, on April 7, the Boston College Eagles Ice 
Hockey Team defeated the Fighting Sioux of the University of North 
Dakota 3-2 in overtime to win the NCAA national championship. The 
victory marked the first national championship in ice hockey for Boston 
College since 1949, and all of us in Massachusetts are proud of them 
for their outstanding season.
  An overtime goal for Boston College by Krys Kolanos produced the 
victory and made up for last year's 4-2 defeat by North Dakota in the 
championship game. Chuck Kobasew and Mike Lephart scored the other two 
goals for Boston College, and goalie Scott Clemmensen did an excellent 
job as well, with 34 saves.
  The Boston College team compiled an extraordinary record of 33 wins, 
eight loses, and two ties during the season. Coach Jerry York, a native 
of Watertown, Massachusetts, had been a star for the Eagles in the 1967 
season, was an indispensable part of this year's championship 
achievement as was all the members on the team.
  The Eagles were led effectively this season by captain Brian Gionta 
and assistant captains Bobby Allen and Mike Lepart. I welcome this 
opportunity to commend all of the players for their brilliant success, 
Bill Cass, Anthony D'Arpino, Ales Dolinar, Justin Dziama, Ben Eaves, 
Tom Egan, J.D Forrest, Jeff Giuliano, Ty Hennes, Marty Hughes, Tim 
Kelleher, Mark McLennan, Brooks Orpik, Brett Peterson, Joe Schuman, Rob 
Scuderi, Dan Sullivan, and Tony Voce. I also commend Coach York's 
assistant coaches, Mike Cavanaugh, Jim Logue, and Scott Paluch.
  The Boston College Eagles are flying high. Massachusetts is proud of 
their championship season, and I urge the Senate to approve this well, 
deserved resolution.
  I ask unanimous consent that an article on the championship Eagles 
from the Boston College newspaper ``The Chronicle'' be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

           [From the Boston College Chronicle, Apr. 12, 2001]

 ``Eagles Rule Roost--University Celebrates Hockey Team's NCAA Frozen 
                             Four Triumph''

                            (By Sean Smith)

       On a glorious spring day, the Boston College community paid 
     tribute Monday afternoon to its men of winter.
       A jubilant crowd of well-wishers and special guests--
     including Gov. Paul Cellucci, '70, JD '73, and Boston Mayor 
     Thomas Menino--packed Conte Forum to honor the national 
     champion Eagles hockey team, which won the National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association ``Frozen Four'' tournament 
     Saturday night with a 3-2 overtime victory over defending 
     champion North Dakota in Albany, NY.
       BC has a 2-0 lead late in the third period before North 
     Dakota rallied to tie. Krys Kolanos, '04, scored less than 
     five minutes into the extra period to notch the win, giving 
     the Eagles their second NCAA hockey championship, and first 
     in 52 years.
       Freshman Chuck Kobasew--named the Frozen Four Most 
     Outstanding Player--and senior Mike Lephart each scored in 
     the second period for BC's other goals.
       WEEL-AM sports announcer Ted Sarandis served as master of 
     ceremonies at Monday's celebration, where small children in 
     kid-sized BC hockey shirts cheered the champions alongside 
     elderly alumni and current students in maroon and gold 
     regalia. One alumnus in the crowd received special notice: 
     James Fitzgerald, '49, who scored the winning goal in BC's 
     1949 championship.
       University President William P. Leahy, SJ, thanking coach 
     Jerry York and his players for ``a memorable season,'' said 
     their efforts exemplified BC as ``an institution dedicated to 
     excellence, in the classroom, the laboratory and the hockey 
     rink.''
       Cellucci, preparing to start his new job as United States 
     ambassador to Canada, said his last proclamation as governor 
     was to designate April 9, 2001, as ``BC Eagles Hockey Day in 
     Massachusetts.''
       Menino extended his congratulations not only to the team 
     but also to the parents ``who drove you to the hockey rinks 
     all those mornings.''
       ``Wow!'' said Athletic Director Gene DeFilippo as he began 
     his remarks. ``Does it get any better that this?'' He rattled 
     off an impressive list of group and individual achievements 
     by the team's eight seniors, including 117 victories, four 
     Frozen Four and three NCAA title game appearances.
       York, who was treated to a standing ovation and cheers of 
     ``Jer-EE! Jer-EE!'' by the crowd, thanked his assistants and 
     support staff, and praised the players for ``representing 
     this world-class university in a world-class manner.''
       After senior captains Brian Gionta, Bobby Allen and Lephart 
     offered their own thanks and praises, the moment the crowd 
     had waited for arrived. To the strains of ``We Are the 
     Champions,'' the players skated around the rink holding aloft 
     the NCAA championship trophy.
       The team has at least one more celebration in its future: 
     an invitation to the White House, on a date to be confirmed 
     later.

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