[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 31 (Thursday, March 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI MEN'S 
                            BASKETBALL TEAM

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                        HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 10, 2004

  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 Basketball Team has had a memorable 2003-2004 season 
ending March 7 with the winning of their first outright Big Ten 
Conference title in 52 years.
  Having won regular season Big Ten cochampionships in 3 of the last 4 
years, the pressure was on this young team and first year coach Bruce 
Weber to continue this championship success. After starting the Big Ten 
Conference season with a record of 3-3 and losing its first two road 
games, some began to doubt that this success would continue. However, 
credit must be given to Coach Weber and his staff and the unbelievable 
determination put forth by a team with only one senior, as the Illini 
concluded their season by winning ten straight conference games, of 
which six were on the road. I look forward to more Illini victories 
this weekend in the Big Ten Conference Tournament and later in the NCAA 
Basketball Championship Tournament and wish them continued success.
  Coach Bruce Weber, his staff, and the entire University of Illinois 
men's basketball team are a great source of pride for their University, 
the Champaign-Urbana community and the 15th District of Illinois. I 
urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Coach Weber and the 
entire 2003-04 Fighting Illini Men's Basketball team.

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