[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 30 (Monday, March 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO THE ALABAMA A&M BULLDOGS

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR.

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 14, 2005

  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Coach Vann 
Pettaway and his Alabama A&M University Basketball team on winning its 
first Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship and earning a spot 
in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. This is the first 
time that the Bulldogs have been invited to the NCAA Tournament in the 
seven years the program has been a Division I member.
  The A&M Bulldogs finished this historic season with a record of 
eighteen wins and thirteen losses, culminating on Sunday afternoon with 
a nationally televised seventy-two to fifty-three victory over the 
Alabama State Hornets. In that game, Obie Trotter led all players with 
a game-high twenty four points, five assists and six steals and was 
named the SWAC's tournament MVP. Joe Martin finished second with 
seventeen points and six rebounds.
  All of us in North Alabama are proud of our hometown heroes and will 
be rooting for the Bulldogs on Tuesday night when Coach Pettaway leads 
his team against the Oakland University Golden Grizzles in Dayton, 
Ohio. All published accounts have said that the Bulldogs are playing 
their best basketball right now and are motivated to show the Nation 
why they deserve a spot in this tournament.
  Mr. Speaker, these student athletes have set a fine example for 
future athletes in our community. Their hard work, commitment, and 
dedication, on and off the court, are a large part of the team's 
success.
  On behalf of everyone in North Alabama and all Bulldog fans across 
the Nation, I rise today to congratulate the Alabama A&M Bulldogs and 
wish them the best of luck against Oakland University.

                          ____________________