[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN E. SWEENEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2003

  Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to offer my congratulations 
to the 2003 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Champions, the 
Orangemen of Syracuse University.
  These young men started the season unranked and became the number one 
team in the nation--marking the first time in college basketball 
history this impressive feat has been accomplished.
  This success would not have been possible if not for the coaching 
abilities of Jim Boeheim. For twenty-seven seasons, Coach Boeheim has 
been a constant in college basketball. From the inaugural Big East 
Conference season, through two heart-breaking losses in the 
championship games of 1987 and 1996, and even through prostate cancer 
surgery last season; Coach Boeheim has remained dedicated to his 
players. Over the years, Coach Boeheim and his staff have turned 
upstate New York from a blanket of white snow into a sea of orange and 
blue the whole state has embraced.
  A perfect example of the state-wide support directed towards the 
Orangemen was embodied at the East Regional Finals held in Albany, NY, 
where thousands of Syracuse fans from around the state and country 
flocked to the Capitol Region. Albany gladly allowed them to make the 
Pepsi Arena their ``Dome away from home.''
  I would like to recognize the individual members of the Syracuse 
team. The 2003 Orangemen team included: Gerry McNamara, Keuth Duany, 
Hakim Warrick, Billy Edelin, Jeremy McNeil, Josh Pace, Tyrone Albright, 
Josh Brooks, Xzavier Gaines, Matt Gorman, Gary Hall, Ronneil Herron, 
and Andrew Kouwe.
  There are two members of the team deserving special acknowledgement. 
The first is Craig Forth, the starting center of the team, who was born 
and raised in the 20th Congressional District, in East Greenbush, NY. 
In addition to having one of his best games in the National 
Championship against Kansas, Craig is also an outstanding student, 
maintaining a 3.86 GPA and being named a Big East Conference Academic 
All-Star.
  Finally, I would like to recognize the Big East Freshman of the Year, 
the National Freshman of the Year, and the Final Four MVP, Carmelo 
Anthony. Carmelo has been one of the most exciting freshmen players in 
years. I am sure all Syracuse fans, including my colleagues from the NY 
delegation, would join me in asking Carmelo to consider ``One More 
Year!''

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