[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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