[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 30 (Thursday, March 9, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S1954]]
                  GRIZZLY BIG SKY CONFERENCE CHAMPION

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, in Montana, we are as proud of Montana as 
Texans are of being from Texas; we just aren't as loud about it. Until 
today.
  I rise today to congratulate the University of Montana Grizzlies 
men's basketball team.
  For my colleagues who didn't stay awake last night, Montana's own 
Grizzlies, led by tournament MVP Virgil Matthews, upset the top-seeded 
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 73 to 60 to win the Big Sky Conference 
tournament and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
  This marks the second straight year that the Griz will join the ``big 
dance'' and could be the start of a dynasty for our very own Coach K.
  In only his second year, Coach Larry Krystkowiak has led his teams to 
conference titles in both years, and this marks the first time that the 
Griz have had back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances since 1991-1992.
  Coach K's achievements both on the court and off are phenomenal. As a 
player, he is the University of Montana's all-time leader in scoring 
and rebounding. He went on to a long and successful career in the NBA. 
He is a true Montana legend.
  And then the legend came home to lead his alma mater. And all the 
victories have been great.
  But the class and leadership of Coach K stands out much more. One 
example that sticks out in my mind happened just recently, when Coach 
K, along with several members of the Griz athletic department, all 
shaved their heads to both raise money for ``Coaches vs. Cancer'' and 
to show support for a friend who had recently been diagnosed with the 
disease.
  I can't say that Coach K looked very good, but his actions set an 
example throughout our State.
  Coach K is a class act, a great example of a dedicated Montanan, and 
I just wanted to take a moment to congratulate him and his team and 
wish them success with their upcoming March Madness.
  (The remarks of Mr. BAUCUS pertaining to the introduction of S. 2398 
are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. BAUCUS. I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Burr). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

                          ____________________