[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H1299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY WARRIORS

  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time 
of the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton).
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Minnesota?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor the Winona State 
University Warriors. They won the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball 
National Championship last weekend.
  Winona State is famous for many things, but this historic win is the 
first major championship for Winona State and a milestone for WSU 
athletics. On behalf of basketball fans across southern Minnesota, I 
congratulate the players, coaches, fans and everyone who helped make 
this season so special.
  Permit me to congratulate Coach Mike Leaf and his staff on an 
outstanding season. His squad finished with a record of 34-2, winning 
22 consecutive games to close out the year. Coach Leaf was named the 
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference's Coach of the Year for his 
efforts.
  The warriors, like all champions, won as a team, but they were led by 
a couple of outstanding players. David Zellman, a senior from Lewiston, 
Minnesota, ended his college career in style. He led the team in 
scoring with 26 points in the championship game, including seven three-
point baskets. Sophomore John Smith of Johnsburg, Illinois, led the 
Warriors defensively and was named the NCAA Division II Elite Eight 
Tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
  I congratulate family, friends, and fans of the team. Two busloads of 
Warrior supporters made the 22-hour trip to the championship game and 
cheered the team on to victory. They were joined by hundreds of other 
Warrior fans, alumni and family members of the Warrior athletes who 
made their own way to the game. And thousands, like myself and my wife, 
were watching on TV.
  Some succeed, Mr. Speaker, because they are destined to. Most succeed 
because they are determined to. This team worked hard, played defense, 
shared the ball, and stuck together. They were rewarded with a well-
deserved championship that all of us can be proud of.

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