[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 4, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H2516-H2517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[[Page H2516]]
CONGRATULATING KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY OWLS FOR WINNING 2004 NCAA
DIVISION II MEN'S BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 594) congratulating the Kennesaw State
University Owls for winning the 2004 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball
National Championship, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 594
Whereas on March 27, 2004, the Kennesaw State University
Owls defeated the University of Southern Indiana Screaming
Eagles in Bakersfield, California, to win the 2004 NCAA
Division II Men's Basketball National Championship;
Whereas 2004 marks the Kennesaw State University Owls'
first NCAA Division II Men's Basketball National
Championship;
Whereas the Kennesaw State University Owls won their final
26 consecutive games and achieved a 35-4 season record in the
2003-2004 season;
Whereas the Kennesaw State University Owls were undefeated
in the Peach Belt Conference in the 2003-2004 season, and
they became the first team from the Peach Belt Conference to
win the Division II National Championship;
Whereas the Kennesaw State University Owls were led to
victory by Head Coach Tony Ingle, Assistant Coaches Jeff
Jones and Stace Tedford, Graduate Assistant Greg Matta, Bench
Coach Ron Smith, Student Assistant Tony Ingle, Jr., and Head
Athletic Trainer Karen Pfeifer;
Whereas the Kennesaw State University Owls' team of
outstanding players, including Will Davis, Darrell Fisher,
Terrence Hill, Israel Ingle, Georgy Joseph, Kenan Knight, Rey
Luque, Kevin McDonald, Reggie McKoy, Taylor Patternson,
Tobias Seldon, Cardale Talley, Justin Thompson, and Tommy
Thompson contributed extraordinary performances both
throughout the regular season and during the postseason in
the Peach Belt Conference Tournament and the NCAA Division II
Men's Basketball Tournament;
Whereas the Kennesaw State University Owls' senior guard
Terrence Hill, who CBS named the game's Most Valuable Player,
was critical to the team's championship, scoring a game-high
26 points and making 8 of 16 field goal attempts, including 4
of 7 attempts at 3-point shots;
Whereas Kennesaw State University, located in Kennesaw,
Georgia, is headed by President Betty L. Siegel and has an
enrollment of 15,600 students; and
Whereas the Kennesaw State University Owls men's basketball
team has brought great pride to Kennesaw State University,
the city of Kennesaw, and the State of Georgia: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates the Kennesaw State University Owls for
winning the 2004 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball National
Championship;
(2) recognizes the contributions of the Kennesaw State
University Owls' players, coaches, staff, faculty, families,
and supporters in winning the 2004 NCAA Division II Men's
Basketball National Championship;
(3) commends the city of Kennesaw, Georgia, for its
enthusiastic support of the Kennesaw State University Owls;
and
(4) hopes that the high academic and athletic standards set
by the Kennesaw State University Owls will continue to
inspire fans and young players around the world by producing
student athletes of a high caliber.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Isakson) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson).
Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, first of all I want to thank the gentleman from
Connecticut (Mr. Larson), who about two debates ago acknowledged the
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets who unfortunately lost in the NCAA finals
to the great University of Connecticut basketball team. Today, we are
on the floor acknowledging the champions, but, really, all of those in
higher education who compete in the NCAA.
I am pleased to author and ask this House to consider its bipartisan
support for H. Res. 594, which commends the Kennesaw State University
Owls men's basketball team for winning the NCAA Division II national
championship.
Kennesaw State won the last 26 games of its season, finished with a
record of 34 and 5, and defeated the University of Southern Indiana
Screaming Eagles in Bakersfield, California, by a margin of 84 to 59 in
the national championship game.
This great university and its great athletic program won the
Peachbelt Conference Championship for the 2003-2004 season. Head Coach
Tony Ingle, who was named the Naismith Co-Coach of the Year in Georgia,
along with Paul Hewitt of Georgia Tech, led Kennesaw State University
to a truly outstanding year.
All-American Terrance Hill, who was selected All-American, one of the
top 15 NCAA basketball players in the United States of America, was
also chosen the most valuable player in the final game against Southern
Indiana.
The Kennesaw State University Owls have a great athletic program, and
this victory is a great tribute to their effort; but I think it is
important when we talk about athletics that we talk about it in the
context of student athletics as well, and this resolution affords me an
opportunity to talk a little bit about this great university, which is
celebrating its 40th year.
Forty years ago, two representatives from the State of Georgia,
Representative Joe Mack Wilson and Representative Al Burruss, both of
whom are not with us now but did a great job for so many years in the
legislature, spawned the idea that with Atlanta's growth it was
important to have an urban commuter college to support the universities
that were in the area; and thus Kennesaw State College, at that time,
became one of the 34 units of the university system of Georgia.
Their first president, Dr. Horace Sturgis, started that college on a
shoestring on property donated by the Fry family, leading citizens of
the community of Kennesaw.
From its humble beginning, Kennesaw State has grown to university
status, and now has almost 19,000 full-time residential and commuter
students studying medicine, studying nursing, studying business, and
studying education. The academic achievements of its graduates is
renowned in Georgia, and its graduate executive MBA program has been
recognized in national publications as one of the finest in the
country.
Dr. Horace Sturgis, its first president, was succeeded by Dr. Betty
Siegel, its second president, who continues as president of this
university now for more than 20 years. It is under her leadership that
participation in athletics and NCAA status have helped to raise the
visibility of that university, while at the same time it has remained
committed to outstanding academic achievement and providing outstanding
academic studies for those residents of the greater metropolitan area,
and now, truly, the entire Southeast.
Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege and pleasure for me to present H. Res.
594, commending Kennesaw State University's NCAA men's basketball
champions, and also to commend all the universities and colleges in the
NCAA who produce student athletes who go on into life to act as leaders
in their communities and continue the great tradition of the NCAA.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution and want to thank
the gentleman from Georgia, congratulating Kennesaw State University
for winning the NCAA Division II men's basketball national
championship.
Two months ago, the Owls captured this title, culminating in a very
impressive season. Kennesaw State won their last 26 games.
Unbelievable. College fans and student athletes and the citizens of the
State of Georgia were treated to a very exciting basketball season.
I just want to extend my congratulations from the great State of
Ohio. It is obvious that the gentleman from Georgia has great passion
about the influence that student athletes can have on the future of our
society and on the future of the State of Georgia, and I want to rise
in support.
Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to offer my
congratulations to the Kennesaw State University Men's Basketball team
on winning the 2004 NCAA Division II National Championship. This is a
tremendous accomplishment and the players and coaching staff of the
Kennesaw State University Men's Basketball team are to be commended.
I would like to congratulate Head Coach Tony Ingle. Under his
leadership, the Owls of Kennesaw State have achieved new levels of
success. Coach Ingle has been named the Division II Bulletin/Moulten
Coach of the Year, the National Association of Basketball Coaches Coach
of the Year, and the Naismith
[[Page H2517]]
Awards Georgia Co-Coach of the Year. These accolades are a testament to
his knowledge and experience in the sport of basketball as well as his
strength as a leader. Coach Ingle has been able to take a promising
young program under his wing and guide it to new heights.
I would also like to recognize the individual Owl players for their
hard work and tremendous dedication. It takes incredible endurance and
grueling physical and mental trials to attain a national championship.
The players of Kennesaw State have not only endured, but excelled and
thereby achieved one of the highest honors in college athletics. Their
dedication serves as an example of devotion, and their commitment and
perseverance is to be commended here today.
As we recognize this achievement, we must not forget that while
working toward these goals, these athletes are college students,
equally committed to completing their studies and gaining an invaluable
education at one of our great institutions of higher learning. I would
also like to offer my congratulations to Kennesaw State University. A
strong support network is required for athletes to achieve the level of
success that these students have attained. Kennesaw State University
has provided this network, which includes faculty, members of the
administration and the student body, in support of the men's basketball
team as they worked toward this national title.
Finally, I would like to ensure that the parents of these student
athletes receive their very just accolades. The importance of a
parent's role in the success of a child cannot be underestimated.
Whether waking up early to shuttle children to and from practice or
driving great distances to cheer their kids on from the stands, parents
sacrifice much so that their kids can achieve more. Through ups, downs,
success and defeat, a parent's support is often the bedrock on which a
student athlete stands.
Again, I would like to congratulate the Kennesaw State University
Men's Basketball Team on winning the 2004 Division II National
Championship and wish them well in all of their future endeavors.
Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, having no further speakers, I encourage all
Members to vote in favor of H. Res. 594, and I yield back the balance
of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 594.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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