[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 7 (Tuesday, February 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E86-E87]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NATIVE SON OF SAN MATEO SHINES IN SUPER BOWL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 5, 2002

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, the victory of the New England Patriots in 
last night's Super Bowl was not just an incredibly good football game--
one of the closest and most exciting games in Super Bowl history--but 
it was also a cause for celebration that spanned our nation from coast 
to coast. Today the City of San Mateo and Peninsulans join fans in New 
England in celebrating the Patriots' victory. It is a shared 
celebration because New England Quarterback Tom Brady first showed 
signs of football greatness as the quarterback for Junipero Serra High 
School in his hometown of San Mateo in my congressional district.
  Mr. Speaker, Tom Brady was the youngest quarterback ever to lead a 
team to a Super Bowl victory and was also selected Most Valuable Player 
in the game. This was a fitting end to a truly magnificent season for 
Tom Brady. As a sixth round draft choice in the 2000 NFL draft, Tom 
started his second season as the back-up quarterback, whose goal for 
the 2001-2002 season was simply to become a better football player. 
Fate, however, had different plans as he was thrust into the starting 
role during the third game of the season. The newfound responsibility 
never fazed this calm young man. He accepted his new role and led the 
Patriots from a 0-2 start to the season to end with eleven wins in the 
regular season and a trip to the playoffs.
  During the playoffs, Tom faced and conquered a wide variety of 
adversities, from snowballs to ankle sprains, he never wavered and 
refused to back down as he lead his team to the Super Bowl. Entering 
the game as heavy underdogs, Tom Brady played the greatest game of his 
young career in the same way he played throughout the regular season--
calm, cool, and under control. After three quarters the Patriots lead 
17-3, but then the Rams made a comeback and Tom Brady found himself on 
his own 17 yard line, facing the daunting task of moving the ball sixty 
yards with 90 seconds left in the game, and his team with no time outs 
remaining.
  Mr. Speaker, many thought he should run out the clock and move the 
game into overtime. Brady, a true competitor, walked onto the field to 
begin a drive to win in the remaining 90 seconds. As he said, ``I was 
going out to win the game.'' And that is exactly what he did, as he 
threw pass after pass to march his team into field range and set up his 
kicker to win the game. Adam Vinatieri's kick sailed through the 
uprights just as time expired, and the Patriots were champions. A roar 
not only erupted from the stadium in New Orleans, but a similar 
outburst erupted from the house on Portola Drive in San Mateo, where 
friends and family of the Brady family had gathered to watch the game.
  Mr. Speaker, from his days of flag football on Portola Drive in San 
Mateo, to the fields at Serra High, to the University of Michigan, to 
the National Football League and being named Most Valuable Player of 
Super Bowl XXXVI, Tom Brady always played with confidence and charisma 
and found success at every level. It is obvious from watching Tom Brady 
play that he truly loves the game of football. He always smiles, and 
his enthusiasm and confidence is infectious to his team. As one of his 
wide receivers said, ``You can't say enough about the kid. He has a 
tremendous amount of confidence, and it rubs off on everyone else.''
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating Tom 
Brady on an incredible game and wishing him continued success. All of 
us from San Mateo and the Peninsula are proud of our native son.

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