[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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