[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 9 (Thursday, February 7, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS--NFL CHAMPIONS

  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay 
tribute to the Robert Kraft Family, Coach Bill Belichick and the New 
England Patriots team on their achievement as victors of Super Bowl 
XXXVI.
  The people of New Hampshire and the entire New England region are 
proud of the exemplary accomplishments of the Patriots organization. 
The talented players and coaches of the team have demonstrated that 
hard work, perseverance and unity are the foundation of success.
  I commend the New England Patriots for the benchmark that they have 
created for all Americans who seek to achieve the highest of standards 
in their lives. Each player on the team cast aside ego and self 
promotion for the good of the team realizing the best talents 
individually transformed into a power house of skill and sense of 
purpose.
  I applaud the contributions of the New England Patriots organization 
including the team owners, the Robert Kraft Family who have steadfastly 
stood by the Patriots since the origination of the franchise in 1962. I 
congratulate Robert Kraft and his family for this tremendous 
achievement and wish them well as the franchise grows and flourishes.
  On behalf of the citizens of New Hampshire, I want to sincerely thank 
the players and coaches of the New England Patriots for providing 
sports fans with some of the best football competition seen in the 
United States in years. We will not easily forget the excitement of the 
talented skill and ability of kicker Adam Vinatieri during game winning 
field goals at the Oakland Raiders snow bowl game nor the thrill of his 
dramatic kick more recently as the clock ticked down to 7 seconds at 
Super Bowl XXXVI.
  I commend the efforts of the mastermind of the operation, Coach Bill 
Belichick and the National Football League Champion team for their 
efforts, accomplishments and contributions to the New England region. 
We are all very proud of you and thank you for being the best of the 
best in a very competitive and talented industry. It is truly an honor 
and a privilege to represent you in the United States Senate.

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