[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS FOR WINNING SUPER BOWL XXXVII

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 29, 2003

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I dare not say that it is with 
great pride that I rise today in support of the resolution offered by 
my good friend from Tampa, Mr. Davis. After all, I am a Miami Dolphins 
fan. However, it is with high regard, as well as a bit of shock, that I 
rise today to honor the Super Bowl XXXVII champion Tampa Bay 
Buccaneers. As a Floridian, I share in Mr. Davis' excitement. For who 
would have ever thought that the Buccaneers would ever make it to the 
Super Bowl, let alone win it?
  But seriously, Mr. Speaker, all of us need to tip our hats in 
admiration of the accomplishments made by the 2002-2003 Buccaneer team. 
As I said to one of my staffers on Monday morning, ``Yeah, Oakland 
didn't really show up to play, but could you believe the Bucs' 
defense?'' Not since the Steelers' Iron Curtain defense of the 1970s 
has the National Football League seen a defense as dominating as the 
Tampa Bay defenses of the late 1990s through this past season. Credit 
must be given to those who deserve it, and the Buccaneer defense is 
where credit is due. The team's defensive leaders such as Warren Sapp, 
Simeon Rice, Greg Spires, Ronde Barber, John Lynch, Dwight Smith, and 
the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, Dexter Jackson, are to be truly 
credited for leading the team that everyone wanted to win, but no one 
thought could, to a Super Bowl championship.
  No pun intended, Mr. Speaker, but the buck didn't stop at Tampa's 
defense. The team's offense was equally impressive. Quarterback Brad 
Johnson, running backs Michael Pittman, Mike Alstott, and wide 
receivers Keenan McCardell, Joe Jurevicius, and Keyshawn Johnson were 
virtually unstoppable. Who would have ever thought that a team like the 
Buccaneers, built for defense but capable of an offensive explosion, 
would ever register 48 points against a relatively good Oakland Raider 
defense? I certainly didn't.
  Additionally, I commend Tampa head coach Jon Gruden and his entire 
coaching staff, especially longtime Tampa Defensive Coordinator Monte 
Kiffin, for a job well done. As a Miami fan, I hope that Coach Kiffin 
finds his way into a head-coaching job out of the state of Florida. 
Frankly, the Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars are itching to regain 
the title of ``Florida's Best NFL Team.'' Finally, I would be remiss if 
I sit down before honoring the work that had been done by Tampa's 
previous coach, Tony Dungy. Coach Dungy built the Tampa team that won 
last weekend, and he is as deserving as anyone of credit for the Super 
Bowl victory.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I remind the gentleman from Tampa, Mr. 
Davis, that the greatest team in NFL history was a team that went 17-0 
from a little city in South Florida that we call Miami. The 1972 
Dolphins, now that team was perfect. Nonetheless, today is about the 
Buccaneers. Therefore, today, I congratulate the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
for winning Super Bowl XXXVII. As for tomorrow, Mr. Speaker, well, go 
Dolphins!

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