[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

[[Page H889]]

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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