[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 126 (Tuesday, October 1, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H6832-H6834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING CAEL SANDERSON FOR HIS PERFECT COLLEGIATE WRESTLING RECORD
Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 399) honoring Cael Sanderson for his perfect
collegiate wrestling record, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 399
Whereas Cael Sanderson, continuing the storied tradition of
Iowa State University wrestling, achieved a perfect
collegiate wrestling record of 159 wins and no losses and is
the first person ever to finish undefeated in collegiate
wrestling;
Whereas Cael Sanderson is a four-time national wrestling
champion, a four time National Collegiate Athletic
Association championship outstanding wrestler, and a three
time winner of the Dan Hodge Trophy;
Whereas the April 1, 2002, issue of Sports Illustrated
ranked Cael Sanderson's perfect wrestling record second in a
list of the top ten ``most impressive college sports feats
ever'';
Whereas Cael Sanderson is a two-time Academic All-American,
a champion in the classroom as well as on the mat;
Whereas Cael Sanderson's achievements have set a new
benchmark for excellence in the sport of wrestling and will
forever have an impact on college wrestling; and
Whereas through his persistence, hard work, and dedication,
Cael Sanderson has set an example for all: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates Cael Sanderson for finishing his career
as the first ever undefeated collegiate wrestler;
(2) recognizes the contributions of Cael Sanderson's
parents, Stephen and Debbie Sanderson, his coach, Robert
``Bobby'' Douglas, the support staff of Iowa State
University, and Cyclone fans;
(3) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to
transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
(A) Cael Sanderson;
(B) Coach Robert ``Bobby'' Douglas of Iowa State
University; and
(C) Cael Sanderson's parents, Stephen and Debbie Sanderson.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Isakson) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George
Miller) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson).
General Leave
Mr. ISAKSON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on House Resolution 399.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
[[Page H6833]]
There was no objection.
Mr. ISAKSON. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the distinguished gentleman from the State of Iowa (Mr. Latham).
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for
yielding time to me.
Madam Speaker, I include for the Record a resolution from the Iowa
State University Government of the Student Body.
The document referred to is as follows:
Iowa State University,
Government of the Student Body
Senate Resolution 2001-3-060SR The Greatest Ever
Whereas, Cael Sanderson, an Art and Design major, has
recently completed his four seasons as a collegiate athlete,
and
Whereas, Mr. Sanderson has won more matches than any other
wrestler in collegiate history, and
Whereas, Mr. Sanderson is the first wrestler ever to win
the Dan Hodge Trophy three (3) years in a row and the first
three-time winner of this honor, and
Whereas, Mr. Sanderson has won the national championship
each of the four years he has competed, and
Whereas, Mr. Sanderson was the first college wrestler to
ever win the NCAA Tournament's Outstanding Wrestler award
four times, and
Whereas, Mr. Sanderson has finished his collegiate career
with a 159-0 record, and
Whereas, Mr. Sanderson has brought new spectators to his
sport in droves, and
Whereas, Mr. Sanderson is not only a great wrestler, but
also a humble contributor to the Iowa State Community, be it
therefore
Resolved, That the Government of the Student Body
recognizes Cael Sanderson as a legendary campus figure whose
athletic achievements are unparalleled not only at Iowa
State, but unparalleled throughout collegiate history, and be
it further
Resolved, That the achievements of Cael Sanderson have made
the students of Iowa State University very proud, and be it
further
Resolved, The students of Iowa State University wish to
commemorate Cael Sanderson and his accomplishments on our
campus, and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this legislation be sent to Cael
Sanderson, President Gregory Geoffroy, Board of Regents,
State of Iowa, Vice President Warren Madden, Vice President
for Student Affairs Thomas Hill, Athletic Director Bruce Van
De Veldc, The ISU Foundation, ISU Alumni Association, ESPN,
Sports Illustrated, and all other appropriate print and
broadcast media.
Madam Speaker, this is a great day to be an Iowa State fan. It is a
great day to be from the State of Iowa to show honor and recognition
for a tremendous young man, a tremendous athlete who did an astounding
thing through his collegiate career at Iowa State. Cael Sanderson is
that young man.
We just had the honor to be with the President, Cael, myself, and the
Speaker, down in the Oval Office, and the chance to visit with the
President. Cael, all the honors bestowed on him are very, very much
deserved. I congratulate him, as the entire House will, with this
resolution.
Cael is now married to Kelly. His parents, Steve and Debbie, had four
sons, Cody, Cole, Cyler, and Cael. Apparently they wrestled a lot in
the house. They are still trying to fix a few walls around there from
all the wrestling going on.
Cael Sanderson is truly the pride of Iowa State; and not only really
Iowa State, but the entire State. With the history we have, the
tradition of wrestling in the State of Iowa, he is someone that we hold
in extraordinary high esteem. Not since Dan Gable back in my days at
Iowa State has there been anything close to what Cael has accomplished.
I would like to really personally thank him. I have a new bobblehead
doll of Cael Sanderson which will be my number one prize possession
now.
Just to bring part of the record forward for Cael, he had a perfect
collegiate record, which had never been achieved before: 159 wins, no
losses. He was four-time NCAA national champion; he was four-time NCAA
outstanding wrestler; and three times a winner of the Dan Hodge Trophy,
which is the highest acknowledgment that you can have as a college
wrestler.
I would say, Madam Speaker, that Cael Sanderson is much more. He is a
tremendous young man. He was a two-time All-American academic winner at
Iowa State. He is truly an inspiration and an example for all young
people today. The way Cael conducts himself makes us all very, very
proud. He is the type of young man that we would like all of our young
people to emulate.
We hear so many times about the problems we have today with our
youth, and some troubles they get into; but someone like Cael Sanderson
is an individual that these young people can look up to as an example
of someone with his leadership that they can follow and really get
themselves on the right path in life.
Just on behalf of the Iowa delegation, all Iowans and, I think, all
Americans, we want to congratulate Cael Sanderson and thank him for his
tremendous achievements, and wish him and his wife Kelly the best of
luck. Cael is going to be in the Olympics in 2004 and is working very
hard towards that goal.
We wish him the best of luck, and we thank especially his family for
all their tremendous support; and the family at Iowa State, Coach Bobby
Douglas and everyone, especially the fans at Iowa State, for the
tremendous support they have given to Cael, and wrestling in general at
Iowa State.
Madam Speaker, again, congratulations and thanks to Cael Sanderson.
{time} 1515
Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, those of us who have followed wrestling and have
followed Iowa State, if you were just named one of the outstanding
wrestlers at Iowa State, you would think you had had a very successful
career. But to achieve this feat of 159 matches without a loss, for
those of you who are better at mathematics than I am, you can figure
out the probabilities of that happening. I once read the mathematics of
Joe DiMaggio's 56 straight games and that streak and what it meant and
what the probabilities were for happening. But this is an incredible
feat. And I note here that ``Sports Illustrated'' said this is a most
impressive college feat of all time, and they rated this the second.
The first-place winner was Jessie Owens, who set four world records in
1935, which puts Cael Sanderson ahead of Barry Sanders, Jim Brown,
Oscar Robinson and so many others that we are familiar with this
string. And he is certainly due the congratulations and the honor of
this resolution of this House.
Madam Speaker, I would urge all Members to support this resolution
and extend to him our congratulations. I thank the committee for
bringing this resolution to the floor.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ISAKSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the chairman of the Committee on Education and the
Workforce.
Mr. BOEHNER. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson) for yielding me time and
congratulate the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Latham) for bringing this
resolution to the floor today.
This really is quite an accomplishment that Cael Sanderson has
contributed; 159 wins, no losses in a 4-year college career is really
unheard of. I think his contributions as a two-time academic all-
American also speak loudly to his dedication not only to his sport but
to his academic studies. So Cael is a shining example of what someone
can do with determination, commitment and a sense of excellence. And I
am happy to rise today in support of the Latham resolution.
Mr. ISAKSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Iowa (Mr. Ganske).
Mr. GANSKE. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to join in recognizing
one of the greatest athletes in American history, a wrestler who went
through college undefeated. I saw another great wrestler, Dan Gable, in
his last match in college. Dan was undefeated in high school and
college, but fell short in his final match. He used that defeat as
motivation and then won the Olympics without a point being scored on
him. Big shoes to fill.
But Cael Sanderson of the same Iowa State Cyclones as Dan Gable
wrestled for has now surpassed Dan's achievements at the college level.
The pressure on him was immense. The way he wrestled his last NCAA
tournament is a testament to his greatest. He wrestled aggressively but
intelligently. He never coasted on a lead. His athletic prowess is
awesome. But it is his soft
[[Page H6834]]
spoken humility, his grace under pressure, his good sportsmanship, his
example as a role model for younger kids that make him special to
Iowans.
He is the Cyclone version of Nile Kinnick, and whether we are
Hawkeyes or Cyclones or UNI Panthers, we are proud of him. And we all
hope that he too wins the Olympics. But if Cael Sanderson never stepped
on a mat again, we would still have to say, thanks for the great
memories.
Mr. ISAKSON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
I acknowledge that the Speaker of this House, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hastert), is a famous wrestler and wrestling coach of
great renown; and I am confident, were he not busy working on the
business of the American people, he would be here on this floor to
commend not only Cael but also to commend his parents, his coach and
his supporters.
In a time of desperate need in America for role models for our young
people, it is only appropriate that this House acknowledge a young man
who has distinguished himself by achieving a record never before
accomplished at a time while still maintaining an average to become an
Academic All American 2 years in a row.
I join my other colleagues who have spoken in commending Cael
Sanderson for his achievement and his contribution and his role model
life that he leads in the State of Iowa.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 399. This
resolution congratulates Cael Sanderson for finishing his career as the
first ever undefeated collegiate wrestler. This resolution provides
much deserved recognition to Mr. Sanderson's parents, Steven and Debbie
Sanderson as well as his Iowa State University coach, Robert Douglas.
Our distinguished Speaker of the House, himself, was once a wrestling
coach on the high school level, and I am sure would want to extend his
congratulations to this accomplished young man, as well.
Mr. Sanderson has completed his college career with a perfect record
of 159 wins and no losses and is the first undefeated four-time
Division I college-wrestling champion. Mr. Sanderson has quite an
outstanding record of achievement, including being a four-time NCAA
champion, a four-time NCAA outstanding wrestler, a three-time Hodge
award winner and a two-time Academic All American. This young man has a
great deal to be proud of and I am happy to join my colleague,
Representative Latham, in honoring him and all he has accomplished.
I want to thank my colleague from Iowa for introducing this
resolution and extend my congratulations to Mr. Sanderson, his family,
his coach and Iowa State University.
I ask all my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. HASTERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable
accomplishments of Cael Sanderson, who this year became the first in
his sport to finish undefeated over the course of four seasons and only
the second NCAA Division I wrestler in history to win four NCAA
Championships.
Growing up in Utah, Cael Sanderson was one of four wrestling
brothers, who over the years combined for 11 Utah prep crowns. During
this prep years, Cael was coached by his father at Wasatch High, where
he was a four-time State Champ. After high school, Cael decided to
follow in his older brothers' footsteps by attending Iowa State
University where he would leave his mark on the sport of wrestling,
which I believe is safe to say will never be forgotten.
After 4 years at Iowa State University, Cael broke virtually every
record and received every award he could garner. As I previously
mentioned, Cael is a four-time national wrestling champion and finished
his career with an overall record of 159-0. Moreover, he is also a
four-time national Collegiate Athletic Championship Outstanding
Wrestler, a three-time recipient of the Dan Hodge Trophy, given to the
sport's most outstanding collegiate wrestler and was recently named the
2001-2002 Big 12 Conference Male Athlete of the Year.
In addition to taking care of business on the mat, Cael Sanderson
also excelled in the classroom as he has twice been named an Academic
All-American. Graduating in December 2001 with a Bachelor's degree in
art and design, Cael showed patience, hardwork and dedication as he was
able to balance the popularity that comes with being a collegiate star,
as well as the long hours needed to accommodate a full academic
schedule.
Finally, Cael Sanderson has been a model member of the community and
has had a positive impact on all those around him. Besides offering his
time to a number of community services, Cael also makes frequent visits
to elementary schools and Boys and Girls Clubs in the Ames area, and
spends his summers as a wrestling spokesman traveling across the nation
to various wrestling camps, generating interest in the sport.
As a teacher and former wrestling coach, I commend Cael Sanderson on
his many accomplishments on and off the mat. I think all of us in this
body can appreciate the time and effort he has put into the sport so
many of us love. Cael is a champion in the true sense of the word, as
well as an inspiration and role model, not just to wrestling fans, but
to everyone chasing a goal of a dream.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 399, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was
agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________