[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 29, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H222-H224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS FOR WINNING SUPER BOWL XXXVII
Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 31) congratulating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for
winning Super Bowl XXXVII.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 31
Whereas, on Sunday, January 26, 2003, the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers dominated Super Bowl XXXVII, defeating the Oakland
Raiders by a score of 48-21;
Whereas the 27-year-old Buccaneers franchise won the
National Football League's World Championship in their first-
ever Super Bowl appearance;
Whereas coach Jon Gruden, in his first year as head coach
of the Buccaneers, led the team to the pinnacle of success;
Whereas the Buccaneers overcame adversity and defeated the
Oakland Raiders, a team credited with possessing the number-
one ranked offense in the National Football League;
Whereas throughout the season the Buccaneers were led by a
number of players, most notably veterans Warren Sapp, Derrick
Brooks and John Lynch, who banded together to form the
number-one ranked defense in the National Football League;
Whereas owner Malcolm Glazer's unwavering dedication to
bringing together the most talented coaches and players has
resulted in the achievement of the most sought-after honor in
professional football: the Vince Lombardi trophy;
Whereas the Buccaneers are an integral part of the Tampa
Bay community;
Whereas the entire Tampa Bay community is proud of the
Buccaneers and their extraordinary season and tremendous
accomplishment;
Whereas this championship is especially satisfying to the
dedicated Buccaneers fans who have loyally supported the team
since their inception in 1976; a very long journey that has
culminated in a Super Bowl victory and the recognition that
the Buccaneers are the best football team in the world: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates
the World Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their victory in
Super Bowl XXXVII.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Putnam) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Putnam).
General Leave
Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, it is a great day in the State of Florida. The
jubilation, the celebration is still going on in the streets of Tampa
and in large cities and small towns all over the Sunshine State as we
rejoice in the victory of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl
XXXVII, a decisive win, the second highest number of points scored in
any Super Bowl.
The Buccaneers brought forth a talented offense and a legendary
defense with undoubtedly several future Hall of Famers.
Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if we did not begin by recognizing the
man who brought us to the top of that mountain, the youngest coach to
ever coach a winning team in the Super Bowl, Jon Gruden, who built on
the foundation laid by Tony Dungy and brought spirit, hope and promise
to that team by repeating the same mantra: pound the rock, pound the
rock, keep pounding away at the opportunities, keep pounding away at
the other team's offense, seize the moments and capitalize on the other
team's mistakes and weaknesses.
Those outstanding players who were there to back him up, under the
visionary leadership of the owners, the Glazer family, were able to
capitalize on an opportunity to bring the Tampa Bay area their first
Super Bowl championship.
Mr. Speaker, the community spirit that was there, the fans who have
suffered through a number of seasons of poor performances, of missed
opportunities, they were well rewarded last Sunday afternoon in San
Diego. Those fans who have scrimped and saved to purchase season
tickets, they have endured a series of coaches, a series of top-notch
draft opportunities. They have endured heart-breaking losses in the
final seconds, and frankly, embarrassing losses at the beginning of the
game for seasons on end. Their determination, their patience paid off;
and so this victory, while it is incredibly sweet for the team, it is
very altogether fitting and proper for the owners, the real victory is
for the fans who have done so much and given so much to keep that team
spirit alive, and the Tampa Bay area is, therefore, rewarded with this
Super Bowl championship.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Florida in consideration
of this resolution, Mr. Speaker. Since the first professional football
game in the United States took place in 1895 in the town of Latrobe,
Pennsylvania, football has become one of America's favorite pastimes.
As a matter of fact, it is so popular and so etched in the minds and
hearts of Americans, until many people stop whatever they are doing
when it comes time for the Super Bowl.
The Buccaneers' magical season began at the Magic Kingdom, as the
bucks held training camp at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. It
ended on Sunday with the Bucs defeating the Oakland Raiders in Super
Bowl XXXVII for the franchise's first world championship.
Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden's, masterful coaching throughout the
2002 playoffs paid off in the Super Bowl as the Bucs always seemed to
make the right call at the right time.
Facing the league's most potent offense in the first-ever Super Bowl
match-up of the league's top-rated offense and defense, the Bucs
surrendered just 269 yards, only 78 by the time Tampa Bay had built a
34-3 lead. The Bucs controlled the clock for over 37 of the 60 game
minutes.
Joining the 1985 Bears as the only team in National Football League
history to lead the National Football League in yards allowed, points
allowed and interceptions in the same season, the Bucs racked up five
interceptions and five sacks in stifling the Raiders' quarterback Rich
Gannon.
The Buccaneers more than deserved the warm welcome when they returned
home to a packed Raymond James Stadium on Monday night and victory
parade through the town on Tuesday.
During the parade, thousands of fans lined the street and screamed
their approval as the players drove by in convertibles and pickup
trucks.
The Bucs were equally grateful. Manager Rich McKay said, ``We have
heard a lot about the Eagles fans and we have heard a lot about the
Raiders fans. We have heard a lot about all these fans, but I think we
all know who the best fans in the United States of America are, and
they are the Buccaneers fans.''
The Bucs and their fans were simply happy that the Bucs have become
the world champs by a margin of 48 to 21, no less for the first time in
the franchise's 27-year history.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution introduced by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Davis) honoring the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Young), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on
Appropriations and senior member of the Florida delegation.
Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, we are rightfully proud in the
Tampa Bay area of our team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; and I want to
thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Davis), my colleague from Tampa
and my neighbor, for introducing this resolution calling attention to
the tremendous success of the team.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to compliment both teams.
I
[[Page H223]]
know we had the Raiders, their team and their coach, and we had the
Buccaneers, our team and our coach. They gave America, and especially
America's sports fans, a tremendous Sunday afternoon. It was exciting.
It was an exciting time and the challenge was real, and the Buccaneers
really came through; and as my friend, the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Putnam), said, we had a dry season for quite a while, but we finally
made it.
In the few seconds that I have left, I wanted to make this comment,
that since I have been in the Congress, many people have told me to
quit talking so much about national defense because I have been here
preaching about a strong national defense ever since I came here many
years ago; but I think Jon Gruden and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers proved
there ain't nothing like a good defense.
Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would remind all persons in the
gallery that they are here as guests of the House of Representatives
and that any manifestation of approval or disapproval of proceedings or
other audible conversation is in violation of the rules of the House.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such
time as he might consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Davis), my
colleague and classmate, who is the originator of this resolution.
Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding
me the time.
I think, what is a relatively somber time in Washington as we debate
issues about national defense and having a strong and smart defense,
that it is appropriate that we take time to honor another collection of
heroes whom I am terribly proud to speak on behalf of today.
{time} 1215
As a lifelong resident of Tampa, and now a representative of the
Tampa Bay area, as all of us will be that speak today, along with some
other Floridians, I take tremendous pride in offering this resolution,
with others, not to celebrate just a victory, because that is not
exactly what happened on Sunday. The Bucs did not just win, I think
they won with class and they won with style. It is not just about
winning, it is about how you win, and the Bucs won the right way.
As a resident of the community, I am so terribly proud of each of
these individuals, the attention that has come to them and will
continue to come to them, about the personal sacrifices they have made
to play their hearts out on the field, the terrific contributions they
are making to our community as leaders, particularly with young people,
and all kinds of scholarships and charities that I do not have time to
talk about today. It just makes me very proud and really speaks to why
these people are leaders on the field and off the field.
The other important thing that has happened in my community, that my
colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Putnam), alluded to, is the
tremendous solidarity this team has brought. It has brought together
people of all walks of life, an important lesson for Congress to learn,
about how you can get people to overlook differences of all kinds that
we can imagine to focus simply on the goal, and celebrating victory
that has been many, many years in the coming.
I would like to share a few facts about the history of the team for
those people that are just beginning to pay attention to this truly
amazing story about the Bucs' victory. Since 1976, when the Bucs
started as an expansion team, the Tampa Bay area has embraced this team
and cherished and supported the team through some very tough times. In
the first season, the Bucs went 0 and 26. The former coach, John McKay,
was asked after one game what he thought of the team's execution, and
his response was, he was all for execution.
There were bright spots in those earlier years as well. Hall of Fame
defensive lineman and current University of South Florida athletic
director Lee Roy Selmon and the 1980 NFC championship team were a
stellar performance for the Bucs, although the Bucs lost that game
barely.
When Rich McKay, a former high school classmate of mine, took over
the general manager position, and Tony Dungy, who is just a wonderful
person and terrific coach, hit the field, things began to turn around.
The owner of the team, Malchom Glazer, began to invest the money in the
team that needed to be invested from the beginning. As a result, in the
6 years after that, the Bucs made the playoffs 5 times. They reached
the NFC championship game in 2000 and became league leaders in Pro Bowl
appearances over that time and began to build this incredible, strong
and smart defense.
John Gruden, who has been mentioned, is a story that speaks for
himself. He is a wonderful coach. He showed true genius on the field.
The defensive coordinator, Monte Kiffen, showed how to play defensive
football in ways that will be a model for years to come.
The game is over now. No matter what happens next, the Bucs will
always be remembered as the winners of Super Bowl XXXVII. Nothing can
ever take that away from them. I want to congratulate not just the team
and the coaches, but all the players and coaches that came before them
and laid the foundation that we are celebrating today, as well as all
the players and fans that have really sacrificed to support this team.
I want to finally close by urging my colleagues to support the
resolution, and I want to especially urge the Members of Congress in
the Oakland area to support this resolution. I know it was tough to
lose to the Bucs, but, clearly, the Bucs demonstrated they were
entitled to this.
A lot of people talk about the west coast and the Bay area as a very
important part of the country. That has been true for a long time. The
San Francisco, Oakland, Silicon Valley area is what we all think of
nationally when we think of the Bay area in the west coast. But, guess
what? The Bucs have helped us remember that part of the future of this
country is another west coast, another bay area, and it is the Tampa
Bay area. It is the west coast of Florida, as these terrific Members of
Congress will speak to here today, all of whom are really overshadowed
and humbled to be in the company of a wonderful group of players and
competitors and citizens of Florida.
So, Mr. Speaker, I again would urge adoption of the resolution.
Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Palm
Beach, Florida (Mr. Foley).
Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me this
time, and of course I thank my colleague, the gentleman from Florida
(Mr. Davis).
Congratulations to the Tampa Bay Bucs and all who live in Tampa Bay,
St. Petersburg, and all the environs. As a fan of the Dolphins, and
coming from southeast Florida, many of us obviously wished the Dolphins
great success, the last team in Florida to win a Super Bowl until this
outstanding victory of our west coast compatriots.
Governor Gray Davis will have to pay up the debt to our own Governor,
Jeb Bush, so we are excited that we had two victories over this past
weekend. But the thrill of competition and the teamwork that took place
was evidenced in that outstanding, incredible, incredible victory.
I want to commend both gentlemen that serve us in Congress
representing the west coast of Florida for their leadership on this
resolution and for their taking time to honor the skills of the
athlete. I think the gentleman from Tampa, Florida (Mr. Davis), spoke
eloquently about the members of the team who give back to their
community outside of their professional sports endeavors; that actually
mentor the kids; that work in the educational environment; help in
inner-city schools, and do things that display the kind of character we
hope all professional athletes will emulate.
Oftentimes role models for young kids who are struggling to find a
role model to look up to are those that make a lot of money and drive
fancy cars. Many on the team take time out of their own lives and
professional endeavors to help those children. So this is not only a
victory for a team on the field, it is a victory for the kids off the
field.
So as Tampa Bay will continue to celebrate this outstanding
achievement of a phenomenal team, we in
[[Page H224]]
southeast Florida are all proud Tampa Bay Buccaneers, too. Mr. Glazer
is a resident of Palm Beach, so we kind of share the opportunity to
have the owner of the team in our county, but we also have a chance now
as all Floridians to articulate the kind of excitement we felt that
night when the time ran out on the clock and we, in fact, had another
Super Bowl championship to put in the case of history.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I am sure that people throughout all America join with our colleagues
from Florida in paying tribute to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I join with
them in their enthusiasm, and urge swift passage of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. BrownWaite).
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I was never a football
fan until I moved to the Tampa Bay area. I think it was the contagious
enthusiasm both from my husband and my grandchildren that converted me
to become a Tampa Bay Bucs fan.
I rise today to congratulate the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their
outstanding performance and subsequent victory in Sunday's Super Bowl.
The Super Bowl was the most watched Super Bowl ever in history. I do
not know whether it is just because every television set in Florida was
tuned in or not, but it was the most viewed Super Bowl in history.
The Buccaneers' victory of 48 to 21 over the Oakland Raiders came at
long last to very, very patient Tampa Bay Bucs fans such as myself and
my family, who endured many, many years of sticking with the Bucs even
when they weren't winning. We knew it was just a matter of time, and
that time came this past Sunday. The Buccaneer defense scored three
touchdowns from five interceptions, and that was a Super Bowl record.
Aside from congratulating the team, I would also like to congratulate
John Gruden, the NFL's youngest coach. In his very first year, he took
the Tampa Bay Bucs on to victory. We would be remiss if we did not also
thank Tony Dungy, the former coach, because he was able to develop that
team and develop the team to the point where their defense was so
strong.
I would certainly congratulate all of the members of the Buccaneer
team and as well to the Oakland Raiders. It was a hard-fought battle.
Somebody had to win, and I am just darn glad that it was the Tampa Bay
Bucs.
Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Florida (Ms. Harris).
(Ms. HARRIS asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Ms. HARRIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, as a seasoned ticket holder of the Tampa Bay Bucs since
the beginning of their creation, I can only tell my colleagues that we
are so thrilled over their victory, and I rise to congratulate the
world champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their extraordinary victory in
Super Bowl XXXVII.
This season the Bucs epitomized what Americans admire most in a
champion. They won because of an incredible defense and an effective
offense, which they built with outstanding talent and refined through
extraordinary coaching.
This championship did not emerge overnight. It followed many years of
grit and perseverance, during which the Glazer family, general manager
Rich McKay, and former head coach Tony Dungy built a winner brick by
brick.
Head coach John Gruden brought this sleeping giant to life. Like the
leadership of this great body, he united a team of diverse talents and
personalities behind his vision, flawlessly executing his championship
blueprint through his team's discipline, dedication, and character.
On behalf of the citizens of southwest Florida, I congratulate Coach
Gruden and the entire Bucs organization for a job very well done. They
have made our Tampa Bay region very proud.
Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
As you can see, Mr. Speaker, there is a tremendous amount of pride
from the Florida delegation in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We certainly
are grateful to Tampa's hometown Congressman, the gentleman from
downtown Tampa, Florida (Mr. Davis), for introducing this resolution.
He serves with a great deal of class, just as the Buccaneers were
victorious with class, and the fans have celebrated with class.
This team gives back to the community, and the community is
rightfully joyful in this celebration today. All of us are so proud of
the work the Glazer family and Coach Gruden has done, and so I urge
adoption of this resolution.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my strong support
for this resolution and salute the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for winning
Super Bowl 37.
The Buccaneers have proven themselves through the years. From their
humbling 0-26 start in 1976 and winless first season and a half, the
Bucs have evolved into a force with which to be reckoned--the Champions
of Super Bowl 37.
As a Bucs season ticket-holder and longtime resident of the Tampa Bay
area, I am proud to have witnessed the years of change and hard work
that culminated in Sunday's triumph over the Oakland Raiders.
Former Coach Tony Dungy deserves much of the credit for this victory.
He changed the character of the team by instilling in them a focus on
community, character, and leadership. His hard work, and that of many
other coaches, players and team staff, created the solid foundation
upon which today's Super Bowl Champion Buccaneers stand.
The youngest coach ever to win a Super Bowl, Jon Gruden has built
upon that foundation and continued the legacy of hard work and
responsibility. I commend him for leading the Bucs to their first-ever
Super Bowl appearance and victory. The Buccaneers paid a hefty price
for Coach Gruden, but it was a price well worth paying, because
football's ultimate treasure, the Lombardi Trophy, is where it
belongs--in Tampa Bay.
Certainly, no congratulatory speech would be complete without
honoring the players themselves. Coming into the game as the underdogs,
the Buccaneers stayed the course and fought hard to secure their
championship. An outstanding defensive effort prevented the Raiders
from gaining momentum. Tampa's defense returned three of a Super Bowl
record five interceptions for touchdowns, dashing any hopes Oakland may
have had in winning the title of World Football Champions.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent part of the Tampa Bay area and
to be here today to offer my congratulations to Coach Gruden and the
players. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution honoring the
Buccaneers for their hard work and their well-deserved Super Bowl
title.
Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I having no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Isakson). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Putnam) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, House Resolution 31.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________