[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 167 (Tuesday, November 18, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H11443-H11444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI MEN'S TENNIS 
                     TEAM FOR ITS SUCCESSFUL SEASON

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 391) congratulating the University of Illinois 
Fighting Illini men's tennis team for its successful season.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 391

       Whereas the University of Illinois Fighting Illini men's 
     tennis team concluded its season with a rare Triple Crown, 
     including national championships in the team tournament, 
     singles tournament, and doubles tournament, which were held 
     at the University of Georgia in Athens;
       Whereas the Fighting Illini became the first team that used 
     three different players in the singles and doubles 
     tournaments to capture the Triple Crown of college tennis 
     since the current NCAA tennis team championship format began 
     in 1977;
       Whereas the Fighting Illini won the first NCAA team 
     championship in the history of the University of Illinois 
     tennis program as well as the first national team title for 
     the university in any sport since 1989;
       Whereas the Fighting Illini became the first team, other 
     than the teams of the University of Southern California, 
     Stanford University, the University of California, Los 
     Angeles, and the University of Georgia, to win the national 
     title since the NCAA adopted the current team championship 
     format in 1977;
       Whereas the Fighting Illini earned the team's first 
     Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Indoor 
     Championship in February 2003, which propelled the team to 
     the number one ranking where it remained for the entire 
     season;
       Whereas the Fighting Illini won their seventh consecutive 
     Big Ten Conference regular-season championship, as well as 
     their sixth Big Ten Tournament crown in the last seven years;
       Whereas the Fighting Illini have become the team with the 
     all-time most wins, and the fourth undefeated and untied team 
     in the 84-year history of the University of Illinois men's 
     tennis program; and
       Whereas the Fighting Illini team member, Amer Delic, won 
     the first national singles title of the University of 
     Illinois and team members Rajeev Ram and Brian Wilson won the 
     university's second NCAA doubles crown: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates and recognizes the University of Illinois 
     Fighting Illini men's tennis team, coach Craig Tiley, and 
     associate head coach Bruce Berque for the team's historic, 
     successful, and monumental season; and
       (2) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     send, upon passage, an official copy of this Resolution to 
     coach Craig Tiley, assistant coach Bruce Berque, and all 
     other members of the 2003 National Championship men's tennis 
     team.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McKeon) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon).


                             General Leave

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
H. Res. 391.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  1845

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 391, a resolution 
congratulating the University of Illinois Fighting Illini men's tennis 
team for its successful season; and particularly its rare Triple Crown 
win.
  The mission statement for the University of Illinois Division of 
Intercollegiate Athletics states that its aim is to ``have the highest 
quality athletics program in all sports that allows the University of 
Illinois teams to compete for championships in the Big Ten Conference 
and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.''
  The men's tennis team accomplished this ambitious and worthwhile goal 
when, earlier this year, the fighting Illini concluded its season with 
a national championship win in the team tournament, the singles 
tournament and the doubles tournament. Since the tennis team 
championship format began in 1977, no other team has captured the 
Triple Crown of college tennis by using three different players in the 
singles and doubles tournaments.
  Additionally, deserving of commendation is the Fighting Illini's 
seventh consecutive Big Ten Conference regular season championship and 
their sixth Big Ten Tournament crown in the last 7 years.
  The Fighting Illini has become the team with the most all-time wins 
and the fourth undefeated and untied team in the 84-year history of the 
University of Illinois men's tennis program. The distinction earned by 
these players and their remarkable repeat victories of the team reflect 
the dedication of each player, the leadership of Coach Craig Tiley, and 
the support of family, friends and fans. I thank the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Johnson) for introducing this resolution and extend my 
congratulations to each of the hardworking players on each of the 
Fighting Illini teams, to Coach Tiley, and to the University of 
Illinois, I am happy to join my colleagues in honoring the success of 
this team and wish them continued success. I ask my colleagues to 
support 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.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 391 and commend the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Johnson) for introducing this resolution.
  This resolution recognizes the success of the University of Illinois 
men's tennis team. The Fighting Illini finished off its season with a 
rare Triple Crown, including national championships in the team 
tournament, singles tournament and doubles tournament. This marked the 
first team championship for the tennis team at the University of 
Illinois. In fact, this is the first national championship for the 
Fighting Illini in any sport since 1989. I congratulate Coach Craig 
Tiley and all of

[[Page H11444]]

the student athletes on the tennis team.
  Winning a national championship is something to be proud of, not only 
for the university but for its students, faculty, and the surrounding 
community. The achievement that marks a national championship brings 
out the best athletic performance our collegiate sports have to offer. 
Everyone involved in this should be congratulated for their 
performances.
  In closing, I would urge Members to support this resolution, and 
again I commend the University of Illinois men's tennis team, extend to 
them my commendations and extend to the President, President Stukel and 
all of the faculty, this is a rare occurrence for the University of 
Illinois. I know everybody in Illinois is indeed delighted that the 
university has reached this milestone.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a truly 
remarkable group of young athletes. The University of Illinois fighting 
Illini Men's Tennis Team had a memorable and historic 2002-2003 season. 
Beside winning their seventh consecutive Big Ten Conference regular-
season championship, as well as their sixth Big Ten Tournament crown in 
the last 7 years, the undefeated Fighting Illini won the first NCA team 
championship in the history of the University of Illinois tennis 
program.
  Using three different players in the singles and doubles tournaments, 
the Illini captured the rare triple crown of college tennis by winning 
the national championships in the team tournament, the singles 
tournament, and the doubles tournament and were the first team in the 
Nation to do so with three different players since the current NCAA 
tennis team championship format began in 1977.
  Coach Craig Tiley, Assistant Coach Bruce Berque and the entire 
University of Illinois men's tennis team are a great source of pride 
for their university, the Champaign-Urbana community and the 15th 
District of Illinois. I thank Chairman Boehner and Alison Ream of the 
Education and Workforce Committee for their help with bringing H. Res. 
391 to the floor and I ask my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Johnson) for bringing forth this resolution honoring the Fighting 
Illini athletes, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 391.
  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.

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