[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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