[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 4, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H363-H364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE MEN'S FOOTBALL TEAM FOR WINNING 
  NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION I-AA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of 
February 3, 2004, and as the designee of the majority leader, I call up 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 355) congratulating the 
University of Delaware men's football team for winning the National 
Collegiate Athletic Association I-AA national championship, and ask for 
its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of House Concurrent Resolution 355 is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 355

       Whereas on Friday, December 19, 2003, the University of 
     Delaware Blue Hens men's football team won its sixth national 
     title;
       Whereas the University of Delaware won the championship 
     game by defeating the Colgate University 40-0;
       Whereas the Blue Hens swept through the Division I-AA 
     playoffs, outscoring opponents by a combined score 149-23 in 
     victories over Southern Illinois, Northern Iowa, and Wofford;
       Whereas the Blue Hens captured their seventh Atlantic 10 
     Football Conference title, were named winners of the Lambert 
     Cup as the top team in the East for the 18th time and were 
     named Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Team of the 
     Year for the 10th time;
       Whereas the University of Delaware team was led by co-
     captains Mike Adams and Jason Nerys and All-American 
     quarterback Andy Hall;
       Whereas the roster of the University of Delaware team also 
     included Dominic Santoli, Germaine Bennett, G.J. Crescione, 
     Roger Brown, Antwan Jenkins, David Boler, Brian Ingram, 
     Justin Long, Ryan McDermond, Ryan Carty, T.J. DiMuzio, Zach 
     Thomas, Terry Kelly, Brad Michael, Dave Camburn, Joe 
     Bleymaier, Mike Weber, Ryan Trask, Brad Shushman, Sean 
     Bleiler, Leon Clarke, Brent Steinmetz, Ben Cross, Lawrence 
     Jones, Jamie Rotonda, Nicos Chivis, Lonnie Starks, Drew 
     Kisner, Kyle Campbell, Jeremy Kametz, Jeffrey Robinson, 
     Maguell Davis, Bryan Tingle, Lou Samba, Andy Snapp, Anthony 
     Cinelli, Niquan Lee, John Nauss, Rashaad Woodard, John 
     Mulhern, KeiAndre Hepburn, Kevin Pulley, Sidney Haugabrook, 
     Dominic Madigan, Antoinie McClure, Jeffrey Thompson, Blake 
     Anderson, Mark Moore, Craig Browne, Marquez Davis, Nick 
     Iarrobino, Mike Buchman, Mondoe Davis, Andrew Wilson, Marco 
     Kristen, George Potts, Mike Bingnear, Mark Ciavirella, Greg 
     Benson, Brett Wharton, Brendon Morfe, Rich Beverley, Tom 
     Parks, Chris Edwards, Scott Conley, Chris Korkuch, Trip 
     DelCampo, Brian Sims, Jared Wray, Paul Thompson, Bobby 
     Delacy, Joe Cordrey, Jesse O'Neill, Brian Jennings, Vince 
     Mumford, Michael Taylor, Steve Selk, Rick Lavelle, Richard 
     Washington, Nat Bell, Chris Mooney, Shawn Johnson, Bubba 
     Jespersen, Sean Sweeney, and Randall James;
       Whereas second-year head coach K.C. Keeler enjoyed one of 
     the most outstanding seasons in college football by setting a 
     school record for wins in a season with a mark of 15-1;
       Whereas Coach Keeler and his coaching staff, including Kirk 
     Ciarrocca, Dave Cohen, Bryan Bossard, Kyle Flood, Paul 
     Williams, Rob Neviaser, Rick Brown, Brian Ginn, Craig 
     Cummings, Frank Law, Brandon Walker, Mike Marks, Russell 
     Barbarino, Dr. Vincent Disabella, Keith Handling, Joan Couch, 
     deserve much credit for the outstanding determination and 
     accomplishments of their young team;
       Whereas fans across the State of Delaware have supported 
     the team over the course of the season and more than 6000 
     Delawareans traveled to Tennessee to watch the championship 
     game;
       Whereas the Blue Hen football program encompasses all the 
     facets of university life, including growth of character, 
     academic involvement, campus involvement, and graduation; and
       Whereas the students, alumni, faculty, and supporters of 
     the University of Delaware are to be congratulated for their 
     commitment and pride in their national champion men's 
     football team: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) congratulates the University of Delaware men's football 
     team for winning the 2003 National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association Division I-AA football national championship;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of all the team's players, 
     coaches, and support staff;
       (3) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     make available enrolled copies of this resolution to the 
     University of Delaware for appropriate display and to 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to each coach 
     and member of the 2003 National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association Division I-AA men's football national 
     championship team.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
Tuesday, February 3, 2004, the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) is 
recognized for 1 hour.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H. Con. Res. 355.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Delaware?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to pay 
tribute to some very impressive Delaware athletes, the University of 
Delaware Fighting Blue Hens football team, which on December 19, 2003, 
beat Colgate University to win the NCAA Division I-AA national 
championship at Max Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As I was 
there, I can tell you it was about 28 degrees and blowing and snowing 
during the entire game.
  This was the first national championship for the University of 
Delaware since 1979 and its very first in Division I-AA.
  Throughout the season, the Blue Hen team impressed, inspired, and 
awed Delawareans by their dedication, hard work, and immense talent. In 
my opinion, this was a perfect ending to an absolutely stellar season, 
led by head coach K.C. Keller and his fine group of athletes. Each and 
every person who contributed to this win deserves to be recognized, 
obviously the coaching staff led by Coach Keller and all the others for 
their leadership and encouragement of these athletes. And, of course, 
the players who worked so very hard as a team, inspiring each other to 
reach the goal they set for themselves.
  There are so many really great players on the team, so many great 
coaches, and the same is true of this whole division of I-AA football, 
and particularly the University of Delaware football team. I know all 
Delawareans join me, because I know all Delawareans follow this 
football team and join me in congratulating them on what they have 
done.
  The families and friends, who come from as far as California and 
other places in the country to follow the team, also deserve a 
tremendous amount of credit. As one who attended practically every home 
game, the Navy game, when they beat Navy, and a few other games even 
away, I will tell you that it was a wonderful season of great 
significance to the people of my small State and to the wonderful 
University of Delaware.
  And they won by big scores, Mr. Speaker. It almost looks like a 
dynasty in the making, by much bigger scores than anything else we have 
seen in the course of this year. For that reason, we have great hopes 
for next year and into the future for this great heartwarming 
experience of the University of Delaware Fighting Blue Hens football 
team.

[[Page H364]]

  Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of H. Con. Res. 355.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
Tuesday February 3, 2004, the concurrent resolution is considered read 
for amendment and the previous question is ordered.
  The question is on the concurrent resolution.
  The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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