[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 19, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING SUPER BOWL XXXIX'S MOST VALUABLE PLAYER, DEION BRANCH

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                         HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 19, 2005

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to rise in 
recognition of an outstanding athlete and a beloved Georgian, Mr. Deion 
Branch, Super Bowl XXXIX's Most Valuable Player. Earlier this year we 
recognized the New England Patriots when they won Super Bowl XXXIX, 
their third Super Bowl victory in four years. Only one other team has 
ever won the Lombardi Trophy so many times in so few years, yet no 
other receiver in history has put together back-to-back performances 
like Deion Branch.
  In Super Bowl XXXVIII, which the Patriots won 32-29 over the Carolina 
Panthers, Deion Branch caught 10 passes for 143 yards, including the 
game's first touchdown and the catch that set up the Patriot's winning 
field goal. He should have won MVP then, but this year he bested even 
himself, tying the Super Bowl record with 11 catches for a total of 133 
yards.
  From the days when he was deemed too small for middle school 
football, to his years on the Monroe High School team, to the 
University of Louisville, to his historic career in professional 
football, Deion Branch has made up for what he lacks in size with a 
spirit and a talent that defines him as one of the best to ever play 
the game.
  This Saturday, April 23, 2005, we will be observing ``Deion Branch 
Day'' in the City of Albany, with all of the pomp and circumstance due 
our hometown hero. But here in these hallowed walls, I rise on behalf 
of the city of Albany, Georgia, the 2nd Congressional District and 
football fans everywhere to recognize his outstanding achievement and 
to wish him continued success in his already remarkable career.

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