[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 22, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H4652-H4653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING KENYON COLLEGE LORDS FOR WINNING 2004 NCAA DIVISION III 
            MEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 635) congratulating the Kenyon College Lords 
swimming and diving team for winning the 2004 National Collegiate 
Athletic Association Division III Men's Swimming and Diving National 
Championship.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 635

       Whereas on March 20, 2004, the Kenyon College Lords men's 
     swimming and diving team won the National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association Division III Men's Swimming and Diving National 
     Championship for the 25th consecutive year with a score of 
     678.5 points;
       Whereas the Lords won 11 of the 20 championship events, 
     including all five relay events for the third consecutive 
     season;
       Whereas Head Coach Jim Steen has won 41 NCAA Division III 
     Swimming and Diving National Championships as coach of both 
     the men's and women's swimming and diving teams at Kenyon 
     College;
       Whereas the dedication of each swimmer, diver, coach, 
     trainer, and manager of the Lords allowed the swimming and 
     diving team to reach the pinnacle of team achievement;
       Whereas the students, alumni, and faculty of Kenyon College 
     and other supporters of Kenyon College swimming and diving 
     are to be congratulated for their commitment and pride in the 
     Kenyon College swimming and diving program; and
       Whereas the 25 consecutive national titles won by the Lords 
     is a record unmatched by any team in any sport in any 
     division of the NCAA and makes the Lords swimming and diving 
     team the most successful sports program in collegiate 
     athletics history: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the Kenyon College Lords swimming and 
     diving team for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association Division III Men's Swimming and Diving National 
     Championship;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of all the swimmers, 
     divers, coaches, trainers, and managers who were instrumental 
     in helping the Kenyon College Lords win the 2004 NCAA 
     Division III Men's Swimming and Diving National Championship; 
     and
       (3) recognizes the 25 consecutive NCAA Division III 
     national championships won by the Kenyon College Lords 
     swimming and diving team as an accomplishment unparalleled in 
     any sport in the history of collegiate athletics.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Tiberi) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi).


                             General Leave

  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on House Resolution 635.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Ney).
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I am also very proud to have introduced this second 
resolution congratulating the Kenyon College Lords swimming and diving 
team for capturing the 2004 NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving 
National Championship. You can see this is a great day for Kenyon 
College with both the female swimmers and the male swimmers, and the 
same coach, I should note, Jim Steen, who has just done a wonderful 
job.
  This year, the Lords follow in the footsteps of those great swimmers 
who came before them. Like their predecessors, the Lords once again 
dominated the swimming and competition, scoring and incredible 678.5 
points, while capturing their 25th consecutive national championship.
  Some have argued that Kenyon Lords swimming is the greatest dynasty 
in sports. At the least, the Lords have accomplished something 
unparalleled in the history of collegiate athletics, a record 25 
consecutive men's national championship teen titles, the most by any 
team in the history of NCAA athletics.
  So for the past 25 years now, Kenyon has brought the Division III 
National title home to Gambier, Ohio. In fact, the last time the Lords 
lost a national championship, Jimmy Carter was President. Since 1980, 
Kenyon swimmers have had nearly 140 different people score points, 
while swimming more than 200 individual and 85 relay titles at the NCAA 
Division III Nationals. Perhaps even more impressive, are the 1,445 
All-America honors as well as the 83 academic All-America awards Lords 
swimmers have accrued. This is an amazing amount of points.
  These accomplishments testify to the hard work and the commitment to 
excellence the Kenyon Lords embody. But this strong work ethic extends 
far beyond the swimming pool. Kenyon College's tradition of excellence 
started long before their national championship streak. Since 1824, 
when the school was founded by Philander Chase, students have enjoyed 
its reputation as an environment friendly to those willing to work hard 
and further their intellect. That is why I think it is important to 
note that many of these athletes did not attend Kenyon for the sole 
sake of swimming, rather their choice was twofold: Kenyon boasts one of 
the best swimming programs in the country, but it is also one of the 
greatest schools of higher education in the United States. The result 
is by being a member of the Kenyon community, students enjoy the 
opportunity to become educated not only in the world of academia, but 
life as well.
  The hard work and dedication displayed by the Kenyon Lords reminds us 
that, whether or not you want their streak to continue, and for 
Kenyon's sake let us hope that we do, this year the Lords team made it 
possible for all of us to celebrate the fact that for a quarter of a 
century now a small liberal arts school in Ohio has established itself 
as the benchmark for aspiring athletes in athletic programs all over 
this country.
  I cannot be more pleased to celebrate the Lords accomplishments here 
today. I am very proud of the Lords, I am very proud of Kenyon College, 
and I think very fortunate to be able to represent Kenyon College in 
the Eighteenth District in Ohio.
  I want to thank again the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi) and the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) for her support.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H. Res. 635, a resolution congratulating the 
Kenyon College Men's swimming and diving team for winning the 2004 
National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Men's swimming 
and diving National Championship. This spring, the Kenyon Lords won a 
record 25th consecutive NCAA division title, the most titles held by 
any team in any sport in NCAA competition. Imagine that. My colleagues 
must be so proud over there.
  Since 1980, the Kenyon Lords have won 200 individual and 85 relay 
titles at

[[Page H4653]]

NCAA events. I want to congratulate Head Coach Jim Steen, who has been 
the driving force behind the Lords impressive drive for 25 quests. Not 
only has Coach Steen won more national NCAA titles than any other 
coach, but he has also prioritized academics and a strong work ethic 
for his Lords and Ladies teams.
  The Lords have received 1,445 All-America honors, as well as 83 
academic All-America awards. They have also won 85 relay team national 
championships, 54 conference titles, and 13 out of 18 record holders in 
Division III at NCAA events.
  I also want to congratulate Emory and Carnegie Mellon Universities, 
who finished second and third in the overall team standings.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and, in closing, I want to thank again the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Ney), my colleague from Ohio, for bringing this resolution forward, and 
the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Boehner).
  I too extend my congratulations to each of the hard-working 
competitors of the swimming and diving team, to Coach Steen again, and 
to Kenyon College. I am happy to join with my colleagues in honoring 
the accomplishments of this team and wish them continued success.
  I strongly support House Resolution 635, and ask my colleagues to 
support it as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 635.
  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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