[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 25, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S505-S506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TROJANS FOOTBALL TEAM

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 12, submitted earlier 
today by Senators Feinstein and Boxer.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 12) commending the University of 
     Southern California Trojans football team for winning the 
     2004 Bowl Championship Series national championship game.

  The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, as a strong supporter of California's 
college athletes, I rise today with Senator Boxer in support of S. Res. 
12 commending the University of Southern California Trojans football 
team for winning the 2004 Bowl Championship Series national 
championship game.
  No one who witnessed the Trojans decisive 55 to 19 victory over the 
University of Oklahoma in the FedEx Orange Bowl can deny that USC is 
the best college football team in the Nation. Led by Head Coach Pete 
Carroll, the Trojans brought home their 11th national championship, 
their 22nd straight win, and 27th victory in a bowl game, second all 
time to only the University of Alabama.
  Not even the most die-hard Trojan fan could have anticipated such a 
win.
  In addition to winning 13 games during the 2004 season for the first 
time in the history of the school, USC became the first team since the 
University of Nebraska in 1994-1995 to repeat as Associated Press 
national champions and the second team to start and finish the season 
at number one in the Associated Press poll. As the number one team in 
the country, they took on the best and they beat the best.

[[Page S506]]

  Every USC player deserves praise and recognition for their fine play 
on the field, but I would like to particularly point out the 
accomplishments of Heisman Trophy winner and Associated Press Player of 
the Year, quarterback Matt Leinert, who completed 18 of 35 passes for a 
total of 332 yards and set an Orange Bowl record with five touchdown 
passes. There were times when he could do no wrong and his play 
reminded me of a couple quarterbacks from my hometown team, the 49ers: 
Joe Montana and Steve Young.
  Matt has also distinguished himself by announcing that he would 
return to school for his senior year, foregoing an opportunity to be 
the first pick in the National Football League draft. I wish more 
college athletes would follow his lead.
  Ultimately, however, this was a team win featuring a high scoring 
offense and a tenacious defense. USC ranked in the top 10 in every 
defensive category and set a school record by scoring at least 20 
points in the last 38 games.
  Led by All-Americans Matt Leinert, tailback Reggie Bush, defensive 
tackle Shaun Cody, and linebacker Matt Grootegoed, USC brought much 
pride to the University and the Pacific Ten Conference.
  Legions of Trojan fans across the country celebrated the victory and 
have already made plans for a return trip to the championship game in 
2005.
  And anyone who has seen a USC game over the past few years knows that 
another championship run is a strong possibility.
  Let me also take a moment to congratulate the University of Oklahoma 
Sooners for their great season. They were a worthy opponent and a 
credit to the University and their State.
  Years from now, as Americans engage in one of their favorite pastimes 
and debate the great college football teams of all-time, the 2004 
University of Southern California Trojans will surely make the list. I 
congratulate the team once again for their incredible season and I look 
forward to watching them make another run at a championship next year.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the outstanding 
accomplishments of the University of Southern California football team. 
Earlier this month, the Trojans completed a perfect season by winning 
the Orange Bowl and their second consecutive national championship.
  Last year, USC shared the championship after being excluded from the 
Bowl Championship Series title game.
  This year, there was no doubt. The Trojans won all 13 of their games 
and led both the Associated Press and the USA Today/ESPN coaches polls 
from the preseason through the bowl games.
  On Tuesday, January 4, they ended the season with a bang. In a much-
anticipated meeting with second-ranked Oklahoma, the Trojans 
overwhelmed the Sooners by a score of 55-19 to win the Orange Bowl and 
the national championship in utterly convincing fashion.
  I would like to congratulate USC President Steven B. Sample, Head 
Coach Pete Carroll, and the Trojan football team for an unforgettable 
season.
  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
and preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid 
upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in 
the Record, without intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 12) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 12

       Whereas the University of Southern California Trojans 
     football team won the 2004 Bowl Championship Series national 
     championship game, defeating Oklahoma University by a score 
     of 55 to 19 in the FedEx Orange Bowl at Pro Player Stadium in 
     Miami, Florida, on January 4, 2004;
       Whereas the University of Southern California Trojans 
     football team has won 11 national championships;
       Whereas the University of Southern California Trojans 
     football team has won 34 Pacific 10 conference championships;
       Whereas the University of Southern California Trojans 
     football team has won 27 bowl games, only 2 games fewer than 
     the University of Alabama;
       Whereas the University of Southern California Trojans 
     football team won 13 games during the 2004 season for the 
     first time in the history of the school and became the first 
     team since the University of Nebraska in 1994-1995 to repeat 
     as Associated Press national champions and the second team to 
     start and finish the season at number 1 in the Associated 
     Press poll;
       Whereas the University of Southern California Trojans 
     football team has won 22 consecutive games;
       Whereas the University of Southern California Trojans 
     football team is ranked in the top 10 in every defensive 
     category;
       Whereas the University of Southern California Trojans 
     football team has set a school record by scoring at least 20 
     points in its last 38 games;
       Whereas Head Coach Pete Carroll has a record of 42 wins, 9 
     losses at the University of Southern California and is the 
     second University of Southern California coach to win back-
     to-back national championships;
       Whereas Heisman Trophy winner and Associated Press Player 
     of the Year, quarterback Matt Leinart, completed 18 of 35 
     passes for a total of 332 yards and set an Orange Bowl record 
     with 5 touchdown passes;
       Whereas tailback Reggie Bush was a Heisman Trophy finalist 
     and the winner of the Chic Harley award, presented annually 
     to the College Football Player of the Year by the Touchdown 
     Club of Columbus; and
       Whereas quarterback Matt Leinert, tailback Reggie Bush, 
     defensive tackle Shaun Cody, and linebacker Matt Grootegoed 
     were named to the Associated Press All-American first team: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the University of Southern California Trojans 
     football team for winning the 2004 Bowl Championship Series 
     national championship game; and
       (2) directs the Secretary of the Senate to make available 
     to the University of Southern California enrolled copies of 
     this resolution for appropriate display;

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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