[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 95 (Monday, July 12, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H5476-H5477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FULLERTON TITANS BASEBALL 
   TEAM ON 2004 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I 
                          COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 704) congratulating the California State 
University, Fullerton Titans baseball team for winning the 2004 
National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I College World 
Series.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 704

       Whereas on June 27, 2004, the California State University, 
     Fullerton Titans baseball team won the 2004 National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I College 
     World Series Championship, the fourth College World Series 
     Championship for the Titans baseball team;
       Whereas the Titans defeated the top ranked University of 
     Texas Longhorns by scores of three to two and six to four in 
     consecutive games of the best-of-three World Series 
     Championship in Omaha, Nebraska;
       Whereas the Titans completed a remarkable season capped by 
     finishing first in the Big West Conference during the regular 
     season, winning the Big West Conference tournament 
     championship, and winning the NCAA Championship in the same 
     year after starting the season with a record of 15 wins and 
     16 losses;
       Whereas Titans Head Coach George Horton was named the 2004 
     Big West Conference Coach of the Year for the third time in 
     his career;
       Whereas Titans baseball team members Kurt Suzuki and Jason 
     Windsor were honored as All-Americans for the 2004 season by 
     Baseball America;
       Whereas the Titans baseball team has displayed outstanding 
     dedication, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the 
     season in achieving the highest honor in collegiate baseball;
       Whereas the students, alumni, and faculty of California 
     State University, Fullerton, and other fans of California 
     State University, Fullerton Titans baseball have shown 
     tremendous commitment and support to the Titans baseball 
     program; and
       Whereas the Titans have brought pride to the California 
     State University, Fullerton, community and to the State of 
     California: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates 
     the California State University, Fullerton Titans baseball 
     team for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association Division I College World Series Championship.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri).


                             General Leave

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
H. Res. 704.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the author of the resolution.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 704, 
which is legislation that I introduced. And this legislation 
congratulates my alma mater, the Cal State Fullerton Titans baseball 
team, on winning the 2004 College World Series. I am pleased that my 
colleagues from Orange County have joined me in acknowledging this 
triumphant season for the Titans.
  For those of us who grew up in Orange County, this is a momentous 
occasion. This is the fourth time in the school's history that the 
Titans have won the College World Series championship.

                              {time}  1415

  The Titans' victory was far from predicted. They were the underdog 
from the start. They started this season with a 15-16 won-loss record 
at midseason. Despite their early struggles, the Titans continued to 
display character and resiliency by working hard. This scrappy Cal 
State-Fullerton baseball team went on to beat the odds and did so in 
the most humble fashion possible, through good old-fashioned teamwork.
  Cal State-Fullerton went on to win the Big West Conference over 
perennial conference powerhouse Long Beach State. This contentious 
conference is hard fought year after year, with the Titans always 
displaying consistency and determination, although favorable results 
are not always the outcome. However, this season, as in some seasons 
past, the Titans emerged victorious alongside their passionate coach 
George Horton, who sees every opportunity as one in which positive 
results may rise.
  The Titans continued their inspiring display of teamwork and will to 
win throughout the College World Series. They defeated the University 
of Miami Hurricanes and then the University of South Carolina Gamecocks 
in the semifinals. This run of the Titans culminated with their sweep 
of the best-of-three championship series by defeating the top-ranked 
University of Texas Longhorns 6-4 and 3-2 in come-from-behind 
victories.
  The Cal State-Fullerton Titans finished with an overall record of 47 
wins and 22 losses and a postseason record of 11 wins and 2 losses. 
This victory for Cal State-Fullerton head coach George Horton was 
bittersweet as he defeated his longtime mentor and friend Augie Garrido 
who led the Titans in the past for 21 seasons during which he won three 
national championships before leaving to coach the University of Texas 
Longhorns back in 1996.
  The atmosphere at both the stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, and back home 
in Orange County was electrifying. Fans across Orange County displayed 
their Titan pride in waves by wearing Cal State-Fullerton colors 
identified by the distinguishable orange and blue.
  The Titans were welcomed home by an enthusiastic crowd of supporters 
upon their arrival in Orange County where a parade took place in honor 
of these exceptional college athletes.
  Throughout the season, the Titans were led by a gutsy group of 
players such as All-Americans Kurt Suzuki, who hit a single with two 
outs in the bottom of the seventh inning driving home the game-winning 
run in the final game of the series, and Jason Windsor, who pitched his 
second complete game of the College World Series, earning him Most 
Outstanding Player honors as they captured the NCAA Division I baseball 
championship.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Cal State-Fullerton Titans' players, 
coaches, staff and fans who were instrumental in bringing the College 
World Series championship back to Fullerton for a fourth time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Wisconsin 
in consideration of this resolution, and so I rise in support of H. 
Res. 704, recognizing the NCAA men's baseball championship earned by 
the California State-Fullerton Titans. The Titans started 15-16, highly 
unusual, but they capped a memorable run to the 2004 national 
championship with a 3-2 win over Texas. Cal State-Fullerton's All-
American catcher, Kurt Suzuki, hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 
seventh inning to put the Titans ahead to stay.
  Despite the loss, Texas coach Augie Garrido, the Texas players and 
their fans should be proud of a well-played

[[Page H5477]]

season. By winning this championship, California State-Fullerton's 
coach George Horton and the rest of the Titans have a lifelong memory 
to treasure. Cal State's fans and the entire university community 
should be proud, as they are, of their team's accomplishments.
  I want to urge Members to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 704.
  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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