[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 62 (Thursday, May 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING BENEFITS AND IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL-BASED MUSIC EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 2004

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support House Concurrent 
Resolution 408, which congratulates the University of Denver for 
winning the 2004 NCAA Men's Hockey championship. DU's national title, 
its first since 1969, came against the top-ranked Maine Black Bears, in 
a nail-biter that stunned the collegiate hockey world.
  The championship game on Saturday, April 10, 2004 was college hockey 
at its best. I watched as the Pioneers took an early lead with a goal 
by Gabe Gauthier in the first period. The rest of the game was a 
scoreless defensive struggle. Hockey fans from the Rocky Mountains to 
the New England coast held their breath during the excruciating final 
two minutes of the game. In a sequence only fitting for the nationally 
televised season finale, Maine secured a Power Play while trailing 
Denver 1-0 when the Pioneers were assessed with two penalties, giving 
the Black Bears a two-man advantage. In the final minute of play, Maine 
pulled its goaltender to add another attacker, putting Denver at a 6-3 
disadvantage. The clock slowly ticked down to zero, and DU emerged 
victorious, led by an extraordinary 24-save performance by goaltender 
Adam Berkhoel, who was named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding 
Player. His shutout was only the third in the history of the 
championship game.
  It was a great way to end the season for the seven seniors on the 
Pioneer team. The class of 2004 won more games at the University of 
Denver than any since the 1973 graduating seniors. Head Coach Geoge 
Gwozecky is to be congratulated as well. He is the only person to ever 
win NCAA titles as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.
  The Denver Post noted that the championship game between the 
University of Denver and the University of Maine was amazing because 
``they proved that two mid-sized universities can excel in one of the 
country's mainstay sports.'' This year's champion Pioneers added a 
sixth hockey championship to the university's fine athletic record, 
which includes a record 17 Division I ski team championships, and two 
titles for the women's gymnastic program. Not only does the University 
of Denver excel in athletics, it is a prestigious academic institution 
as well. U.S. News and World Report recently ranked three DU graduate 
programs among the country's best.
  The championship is especially poignant, because the University of 
Denver hockey program tragically lost one of its most famed alumni just 
before Christmas last year. Keith Magnuson, the captain of the last DU 
team to capture the national title 35 years ago, was killed in a car 
accident just four months ago. Still active with the University, 
Magnuson regularly attended hockey games, gave locker room speeches to 
the team, and even played in the school's homecoming game this season. 
Following his death, the team dedicated the season to his memory, but 
no one could have imagined the success the team has enjoyed.
  Mr. Speaker, I was proud to sponsor this bill, which congratulates 
the University of Denver 2004 championship hockey team. I am happy to 
report that the entire Colorado congressional delegation cosponsored H. 
Con. Res. 408. I also wish to congratulate the Maine Black Bears for an 
excellent season, and a hard fought championship game. I look forward 
to a victory celebration for the Pioneers at the U.S. Capitol. I thank 
the Speaker for bringing this bill to the floor and urge my colleagues 
to support me in congratulating the University of Denver.

                          ____________________