[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 167 (Wednesday, December 21, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S14404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       COMMENDING THE APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 346 which was submitted earlier 
today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 346) commending the Appalachian State 
     University Football Team for winning the 2005 National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1-AA Football 
     Championship.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 346) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 346

       Whereas on December 16, 2005, the Appalachian State 
     Mountaineers defeated the Northern Iowa Panthers in the 
     Championship game of the National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association (``NCAA'') Division I-AA Football Tournament in 
     Chattanooga, Tennessee;
       Whereas the Mountaineers are the first team from 
     Appalachian State to win a NCAA Championship in school 
     history;
       Whereas Appalachian State is the first university in the 
     State of North Carolina to win a NCAA football championship;
       Whereas head coach Jerry Moore, the all-time winningest 
     coach in Southern Conference history, won his first NCAA 
     title in his seventeenth year as head coach of the 
     Mountaineers, improving to 140-67 his record as head coach at 
     Appalachian State;
       Whereas defensive ends Marques Murrell and Jason Hunter, as 
     well as safety Corey Lynch, were named to the I-AA All 
     America team;
       Whereas junior defensive end Marques Murrell, who finished 
     the game with 9 tackles and forced a fumble with 9 minutes, 
     14 seconds remaining in the game, and senior Jason Hunter, 
     who finished the game with ten tackles, returned it for the 
     winning touchdown;
       Whereas injured senior quarterback and Southern Conference 
     Offensive Player of the Year Richie Williams courageously led 
     the Mountaineers in the second half while playing with an 
     injured ankle tendon;
       Whereas the Mountaineer defense held the Panthers scoreless 
     in the second half;
       Whereas backup quarterback Trey Elder led Appalachian State 
     to a 29-23 victory over Furman University to earn a spot in 
     the final contest;
       Whereas the Mountaineers defeated Lehigh University and 
     Southern Illinois to advance to the I-AA ``Final Four'';
       Whereas the Mountaineer team members are excellent 
     representatives of a fine university that is a leader in 
     higher education, producing many fine student-athletes and 
     other leaders;
       Whereas each player, coach, trainer, manager, and staff 
     member dedicated this season and their efforts to ensure the 
     Appalachian State University Mountaineers reached the summit 
     of college football;
       Whereas the Mountaineers showed tremendous dedication to 
     each other, appreciation to their fans, sportsmanship to 
     their opponents, and respect for the game of football 
     throughout the 2005 season; and
       Whereas residents of the Old North State and Appalachian 
     fans worldwide are to be commended for their long-standing 
     support, perseverance, and pride in the team: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the champion Appalachian State University 
     Mountaineers for their historic win in the 2005 National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-AA Football 
     Championship;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, 
     students, alumni, and support staff who were instrumental in 
     helping Appalachian State University win the championship; 
     and
       (3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to Appalachian State University Chancellor 
     Kenneth Peacock and head coach Jerry Moore for appropriate 
     display.

     

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