[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ON THEIR PAC-TEN 
                    CHAMPIONSHIP AND ROSE BOWL BERTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DIANE E. WATSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 8, 2003

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to count the University of 
Southern California among my constituents in California's 33rd 
Congressional District. This institution is a magnet for diverse people 
and ideas, attracting students from all 50 states and more than 100 
foreign countries. In fact, USC ranks in the top 1 percent amongst the 
most diverse private research universities in the nation. As an 
educator, I am inspired to see USC's commitment to academic excellence.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the accomplishments of 
the University of Southern California football team. Congratulations 
are in order for USC President Steven Sample, Head Coach Pete Carroll, 
and the outright Pac-Ten champions, who finished the season with the #1 
national ranking in both the AP and Coaches polls.
  The USC Trojan football team has shown unique skill, charisma, 
dedication, and love for the sport. The Trojans accumulated an 11-win 
and 1-loss record while competing against some of the best programs in 
the country.
  The Trojans regular season performance and their strength of schedule 
earned them a controversial Bowl Championship Series, or BCS, berth. 
Although it is a system no one can make sense of, I am pleased that the 
real National Championship will be decided during the ``Grand Daddy of 
them all''--the Rose Bowl. As those steeped in football tradition know, 
a Pac-Ten vs. Big Ten match-up in the Rose Bowl, with a #1 ranked team 
in the game, is a formula for champions.
  Mr. Speaker, again I congratulate USC President Steven Sample, Head 
Coach Pete Caroll, and the football team at the University of Southern 
California for a season to remember.

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