[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 9, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H888-H890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING THE SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FOR WINNING THE 2003 MAJOR
LEAGUE SOCCER CUP
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 475) congratulating the San Jose
Earthquakes for winning the 2003 Major League Soccer Cup.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 475
Whereas on November 23, 2003, the San Jose Earthquakes
defeated the Chicago Fire to win the 2003 Major League Soccer
Cup;
Whereas the Earthquakes achieved a 14-7-9 regular season
record to finish 1st in the Major League Soccer Western
Conference;
Whereas the San Jose Earthquakes finished an extraordinary
season by overcoming injuries, adversity, and multiple-goal
deficits to reach the Major League Soccer Cup championship
match;
Whereas in the championship match, the San Jose Earthquakes
and the Chicago Fire scored 6 goals combined, breaking the
Major League Soccer Cup championship match scoring record;
Whereas the Earthquakes' Head Coach Frank Yallop led the
team to victory;
Whereas the Earthquakes' team of world-class players,
including Jeff Agoos, Arturo Alvarez, Brian Ching, Jon
Conway, Ramiro Corrales, Troy Dayak, Dwayne De Rosario,
Landon Donovan, Todd Dunivant, Ronnie Ekelund, Rodrigo Faria,
Manny Lagos, Roger Levesque, Brain Mullan, Richard Mulrooney,
Pat Onstad, Eddie Robinson, Chris Roner, Ian Russell, Josh
Saunders, Craig Waibel, and Jamil Walker contributed
extraordinary performances throughout the regular season,
playoffs and Major League Soccer Cup;
Whereas San Jose midfielder Ronnie Ekelund scored in the
5th minute of play, tying Eduardo Hurtado for the fastest
goal scored in a Major League Soccer Cup championship match;
Whereas with the victory, San Jose captain Jeff Agoos won
his 2nd Major League Soccer Cup for the San Jose Earthquakes
and his 5th Major League Soccer Cup overall;
Whereas San Jose forward Landon Donovan, who has been named
United States National Team Player of the Year twice, scored
2 goals on 2 shots in the championship match, earning the
Honda Major League Soccer Cup Most Valuable Player Award;
Whereas by winning the 2003 Major League Soccer Cup, the
San Jose Earthquakes join DC United to become the 2nd team in
Major League Soccer history to win the Major League Soccer
Cup more than once;
Whereas the Earthquakes have brought great pride to the
City of San Jose and to the State of California;
Whereas Major League Soccer has become extremely popular in
only 8 seasons; and
Whereas the success of Major League Soccer has contributed
to the growing popularity of soccer in the United States in
recent years: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates the San Jose Earthquakes for winning the
2003 Major League Soccer Cup;
(2) recognizes the achievement of the San Jose Earthquakes'
players, coaches, staff, and supporters in bringing the 2003
Major League Soccer Cup to San Jose;
(3) commends the San Jose community for its enthusiastic
support of the Earthquakes; and
(4) expresses the hope that Major League Soccer will
continue to inspire fans and young players in the United
States and around the world by producing teams of San Jose's
high caliber.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Michigan (Mrs. Miller) and the gentlewoman from the District of
Columbia (Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).
General Leave
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and
extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 475.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, last November, in the championship match of the 2003
Major League Soccer season, the San Jose Earthquakes defeated the
Chicago Fire 4 to 2. The win clinched the Earthquakes' second MLS title
in three seasons. House Resolution 475 deservedly congratulates the San
Jose Earthquakes for winning the Major League Soccer Cup. With this
championship, San Jose became only the second team in MLS history to
win two Cups.
Mr. Speaker, throughout the long soccer season, the steady leadership
of Coach Frank Yallop guided the Earthquakes to 14 wins. And after
winning the MLS Western Conference crown during the regular season, the
Earthquakes rallied from behind in both the Conference Semifinals and
the Conference Championship matches to reach the Championship. In the
final match, the Earthquakes outlasted the Chicago Fire in the highest
scoring MLS Cup final ever, winning 4 to 2.
Mr. Speaker, Coach Yallop earned his second MLS Cup with the victory,
and he became the second coach in league history to lead two
championship teams. Also noteworthy, the Earthquakes' star forward
Landon Donovan became the first player to score two goals in an MLS Cup
final match. He earned the MLS Cup's Most Valuable Player award for his
performance.
Mr. Speaker, the 2003 season was certainly one to remember for the
San Jose Earthquakes' players, for their coaches, for their support
staff, and
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their fans. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda) for
working to congratulate the champs of Major League Soccer, the San Jose
Earthquakes, and I strongly support House Resolution 475.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
On November 23, 2003, the San Jose Earthquakes thrilled a sellout
crowd of soccer fans with a 4 to 2 Major League Soccer victory over the
Chicago Fire. The Earthquakes earned their second Major League Soccer
Cup in 3 years and became only the second major league team to win
multiple titles. My hometown team, D.C. United, has won the Cup three
times in its 8-year history.
Major League Soccer could not have asked for a better and more
exciting game for its network-televised event. The San Jose Earthquakes
and the Chicago Fire scored six goals combined, breaking the Major
League Soccer Cup championship match scoring record.
San Jose midfielder Ronnie Ekelund scored in the fifth minute of
play, tying Eduardo Hurtado for the fastest goal scored in a Major
League Soccer Cup championship. Jeff Agoos won his second Major League
Soccer Cup as captain of the San Jose Earthquakes and his fifth Major
League Soccer Cup overall. San Jose forward Landon Donovan, who has
been named United States National Team Player of the Year twice, scored
two goals and two shots in the championship match, earning the Honda
Major League Soccer Cup Most Valuable Player Award.
Major league soccer was created in 1996 as a professional American
soccer league to build on the base of popularity generated during the
World Cup Finals held in the United States in 1994. Major League Soccer
has aptly and skillfully filled the void that resulted when the North
American League played its last game in 1984, and it has done so with
teams like the San Jose Earthquakes that play with zeal and love for
the game.
The sellout crowd at The Home Depot Center for the 2003 Major League
Soccer Cup is a testament to the growing popularity of soccer and all
those who play the game.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield such time as he
may consume to the gentleman from the gentleman from California (Mr.
Honda), who is the author of this resolution.
Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from the
District of Columbia and the gentlewoman from Michigan for this
opportunity to sort of crow a little here. I rise today to congratulate
an extraordinary team on a successful season through H.R. 475.
Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, November 23, 2003, the San Jose Earthquakes
became the second team in Major League Soccer history to win the Major
League Soccer Cup a second time. The Earthquakes' 4-to-2 victory over
the Chicago Fire showcased the team's explosive talent and demonstrated
why soccer is one of the fastest growing sports in America today.
The Earthquakes' rise to the MLS championship game provided soccer
fans with endless drama and excitement, including a five-goal comeback
against the Los Angeles Galaxy, and a 3-to-2 victory over the Kansas
City Wizards.
In the championship game the Quakes showed a capacity crowd in
Carson, California, four goals, one saved penalty kick, and 90 minutes
of world class soccer. Throughout the game and throughout the season,
this team played exciting soccer to the delight of San Jose's growing
legion of fans.
Soccer is perhaps the world's most beloved sport. From Latin America
to East Asia to Europe and Africa, indeed all the world's cultures play
this great game. It therefore comes as no surprise that a community of
San Jose's multicultural and multinational makeup should produce a
soccer team of such prodigious ability.
In Latin America, soccer is called ``la pasion de multitudes,'' and
the San Jose Earthquakes have shown us why this is truly the ``passion
of people.''
While the Earthquakes' recent performances have been impressive,
their greatest success may be the team's contribution to the sport of
soccer here in America. In particular, the sportsmanship and
gamesmanship of the Earthquakes have helped make Major League Soccer a
hit. Although it is barely 8 years old, Major League Soccer has already
captured the hearts and imaginations of fans around the country and
around the world. The MLS also has served as a training ground for some
of the world's best players. Many of those players were instrumental in
bringing the United States to the quarter finals of the 2002 World Cup.
Now approaching its ninth successful year, and bolstered by the
inspiring play of teams like the San Jose Earthquakes, Major League
Soccer is stronger than ever. The fact that 20 million fans have
attended MLS matches during the league's first eight seasons is a
testament to the enormous popularity of the beautiful game here in the
United States.
In addition to their on-the-field performance, I would like to thank
the Earthquakes for their off-the-field dedication to the San Jose
community. At a time when there seem to be too few positive role models
in professional athletics, the Quakes have proven themselves not only
as great athletes, but good people. Players from this team have
repeatedly lent their celebrity and talent to numerous local
organizations.
In 2003 alone, the Quakes have made appearances at the Muscular
Dystrophy Association's summer camp, conducted free soccer clinics for
local youth, raised money for numerous local charities, and supplied
free tickets to disadvantaged youth through the Kick for Kids Program.
It is deeply rewarding to witness this team's commitment to its
community, and in particular, to San Jose's youth.
As a member of the San Jose community and a soccer fan, I look
forward to watching the Quakes provide us with even greater inspiration
in the years to come. The San Jose Earthquakes are the pride not only
of the Bay Area in California, but also of America.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 2003
Major League Soccer champions, and I congratulate the San Jose
Earthquakes on a fantastic season. And to the soccer moms and dads of
this country, there is a place for youngsters to go after they play
their local teams.
Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the San Jose,
CA Earthquakes for defeating the Chicago, IL Fire 4-2 on November 23,
2003 to win the 2003 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup.
It was eight years ago that San Jose became the proud home of the MLS
Earthquakes. In those short years, we have watched with excitement as
the Earthquakes have become repeat champions and helped increase the
popularity of soccer in our community and throughout the world.
The Earthquakes have many truly talented players. California native
Landon Donovan for example is a two-time U.S. National Team Player of
the Year and scored two goals in the championship game to earn him the
MSL Cup Most Valuable Player Award. Even with individuals like Landon
playing for the Earthquakes, their success has come, not as individuals
but rather as a team.
It was as a team that the Earthquakes overcame injuries, critics and
goal deficits throughout their 14-7-9 regular season and it was as a
team that they became Major League Soccer's very best. Since coming to
San Jose, the Earthquake's have represented our city with dignity.
Mr. Speaker, the San Jose Earthquakes are the standard to which all
MLS teams should be compared. Their commitment to our community, the
sport of soccer and to achieving excellence runs much further than any
soccer field. Their success and good works are a staple in our city.
For these reasons and many others, it is most appropriate that we
congratulate the 2003 MLS Cup winning San Jose Earthquakes today.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 475.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
[[Page H890]]
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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