[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 17, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H580-H582]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY LAKERS FOR WINNING THE 
          2006 NCAA DIVISION II FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 62) congratulating the Grand Valley 
State University Lakers for winning the 2006 NCAA Division II Football 
National Championship.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H. Res. 62

       Whereas on December 16, 2006, the Grand Valley State 
     University Lakers of Allendale, Michigan, won the 2006 
     National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II 
     Football National Championship by defeating the Northwest 
     Missouri State University Bearcats by a score of 17 to 14, 
     defeating the Bearcats for the second consecutive year in the 
     championship game;
       Whereas in the championship game, quarterback Cullen 
     Finnerty completed 15 of 33 passes for 225 yards and rushed 
     for 115 yards on 22 carries for 340 yards of total offense, 
     becoming the first quarterback in the history of the NCAA 
     Division II Football National Championship to pass for more 
     than 200 yards and rush for more than 100 yards, and Bill 
     Brechin made 4 pivotal plays, including 2 first-quarter 
     interceptions that kept the Lakers in the game;
       Whereas the Lakers completed the season with a perfect 15-0 
     winning record, becoming just the second team in NCAA 
     Division II football history to finish the season 15-0;
       Whereas the Lakers have won 28 consecutive games, the 
     longest football winning streak in any NCAA division;
       Whereas the Lakers also won the NCAA Division II Football 
     National Championship in 2002, 2003, and 2005;
       Whereas the American Football Coaches Association named 
     Coach Chuck Martin the NCAA Division II Coach of the Year for 
     the second consecutive year;
       Whereas Martin has compiled a 3-year head coaching record 
     of 38-3, including a 10-1 postseason record;
       Whereas the Lakers' seniors finish their 4 seasons with a 
     52-4 record, which makes them the all-time most winning 
     senior class in all of NCAA history;
       Whereas 5 Lakers earned Associated Press Little All-
     American honors, with seniors Finnerty, Eric Fowler, and Mike 
     McFadden earning first-team honors and juniors Brandon Barnes 
     and Brandon Carr earning third-team honors;
       Whereas the Lakers dominated the 2006 Daktronics, Inc. 
     Division II All-American Football team by placing 6 players 
     (Fowler, Barnes, McFadden, Finnerty, Carr, and Anthony Adams) 
     on the first team;
       Whereas in the 2006 season, Finnerty was selected to 3 All-
     American teams (the American Football Coaches Association, 
     Daktronics, and the Associated Press) and finished second in 
     the Harlon Hill race, an award given to the top player in 
     Division II football;
       Whereas Finnerty closes a college football career with a 
     51-4 record as a starter, including a record of 14-1 in 
     postseason play, to become the most winning quarterback in 
     NCAA history;
       Whereas Finnerty was named the 2006 Great Lakes 
     Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Football Player of the 
     Year, Barnes was named Offensive Lineman of the Year, and 
     McFadden was named the Defensive Lineman of the Year for the 
     second consecutive year;
       Whereas McFadden also won the Gene Upshaw Award for the 
     second consecutive year; and
       Whereas Grand Valley State University's student athletes 
     have displayed great strength, ability, and perseverance this 
     season and have again made the citizens of the State of 
     Michigan proud: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the Grand Valley State University Lakers 
     for winning the 2006 NCAA Division II Football National 
     Championship; and
       (2) recognizes all the players, coaches, and support staff 
     who were instrumental in this achievement.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days during which Members may insert 
material relevant to H. Res. 62.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman 
from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) for introducing this resolution that 
salutes Grand Valley State for their recent victory over the Northwest 
Missouri State Bearcats in the NCAA Division II national football 
championship in December.
  Grand Valley State was led by quarterback Cullen Finnerty, who 
completed 15 of 33 passes for 225 yards and rushed for 115 yards on 22 
carries for 340 yards of total offense, becoming the first quarterback 
in the history of the NCAA Division II national football

[[Page H581]]

championship to pass for more than 200 yards and rush for more than 100 
yards.
  The game also saw tremendous plays by Bill Brechin, who made two 
first quarter interceptions.
  I would also point out that Northwest Missouri State University also 
played an excellent game, and I congratulate them for their effort.
  The Lakers are no strangers to this championship, having won in 2002, 
2003 and 2005. It is also the second year that the Lakers have defeated 
the Bearcats in a championship game.
  Much is due to the coaching of Chuck Martin, who was named Division 
II Coach of the Year for the second year. Clearly, the Lakers deserve 
to be recognized by the House for their outstanding accomplishments on 
the football field, and I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would like to thank my colleague from Virginia for bringing forward 
this resolution today. I think it is a wonderful opportunity to educate 
the colleague from Virginia on the talents that we have in the State of 
Michigan, especially in western Michigan. I am excited to see how well 
versed he has become about the Grand Valley State University football 
team. As he indicated, we rise today to congratulate the student 
athletes on the Grand Valley State University Lakers 2006 football 
team.
  On December 16, 2006, the Lakers football team won the NCAA Division 
II football national championship by defeating the Northwest Missouri 
State University Bearcats 17-14. The Grand Valley State University 
football program has now won championships in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 
2006.
  The victory capped another storybook season for Coach Chuck Martin. 
He has coached his team to a 23-3 record, including a 10-1 post-season 
record after assuming coaching responsibility after a successful stint 
as the Lakers' defensive coordinator.
  The Grand Valley State University seniors finished their 4-year run 
with the Lakers with a 52-4 record, making them the all-time winningest 
senior class in all of NCAA history.

                              {time}  1045

  Grand Valley student athletes have displayed great strength, ability 
and resolve during the 2006 season. They have made the great State of 
Michigan proud once again.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support the passage of H. 
Res. 62.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the full roster of this 
national championship team and their coaching staff.

                                                                       2006 Roster
                                                                     [Alphabetical]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              No.                      Name           Ht/Wt            Pos               Yr                Exp              Hometown (last school).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.............................  Anthony Adams....      6-2/234  LB..............  JR..............  2L..............  Troy, MI (Troy).
58............................  Sam Allen........      6-5/285  OL..............  SO..............  1L..............  Lansing, MI (Sexton).
35............................  Matt Bakker......      6-1/190  RB..............  FR..............  FR..............  Middleville, MI (South Christian).
43............................  Lyle Banks.......     5-11/170  DB..............  FR..............  RS..............  Detroit, MI (Cass Tech).
61............................  Brandon Barnes...      6-2/315  OL..............  JR..............  2L..............  Detroit, MI (Pershing).
82............................  Ryan Bass........      6-2/181  WR..............  FR..............  RS..............  Portage, MI (Northern).
9.............................  Matt Beaty.......      6-0/232  LB..............  JR..............  2L..............  Detroit, MI (Cass Tech).
99............................  Nate Beebe.......      6-2/235  DL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Allendale, MI.
21............................  P.J. Beuke.......      6-0/215  LB..............  FR..............  RS..............  Hinsdale, IL.
36............................  Chad Biggar......      6-2/220  LB..............  FR..............  FR..............  Traverse City, MI (St. Francis).
6.............................  Scott Blasko.....      6-4/265  TE..............  SO..............  1L..............  Lansing, MI (St. Joseph).
88............................  Cameron Bradfield      6-4/256  TE..............  FR..............  RS..............  Grand Rapids, MI (Creston).
29............................  Bill Brechin.....     5-10/180  DB..............  JR..............  1L..............  Addison, IL.
64............................  Drew Burton......      6-1/310  OL..............  SR..............  2L..............  Moscow, ID (Moscow).
76............................  Troy Buter.......      6-8/270  OL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Zeeland, MI (West).
5.............................  Samad Cain.......      6-2/200  DB..............  SO..............  1L..............  Detroit, MI (Minnesota).
87............................  Robert Carlisle..      6-1/184  WR..............  SO..............  1L..............  Detroit, MI (Lutheran East).
24............................  Brandon Carr.....      6-1/206  DB..............  JR..............  2L..............  Flint, MI (Carman-Ainsworth).
25............................  Tony Carr........      6-0/190  DB..............  SR..............  1L..............  Flint, MI (Western Michigan).
83............................  Tony Carreri.....      6-3/235  TE..............  FR..............  FR..............  Clinton Township, MI (L'Anse
                                                                                                                       Cruse).
20............................  Kirk Carruth.....         /235  LB..............  JR..............  2L..............  Saginaw, MI (Saginaw).
90............................  Todd Carter......      6-1/190  K...............  SO..............  1L..............  Flint, MI (Carman-Ainsworth).
3.............................  Mark Catlin......     5-10/180  WR..............  SR..............  3L..............  Lowell, MI (Lowell).
                                Carlos Clark.....      6-0/160  WR..............  FR..............  FR..............  Belleville, MI.
37............................  Aaron Conti......      5-8/175  DB..............  FR..............  RS..............  Bloomfield Hills, MI (Detroit
                                                                                                                       Jesuit).
52............................  Greg Copeland....      6-3/250  OL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Inkster, MI.
95............................  Mendalson              6-4/225  DL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Carsbad, CA.
                                 Covington.
84............................  Anthony Crump....      6-4/228  WR..............  FR..............  RS..............  Muskegon, MI.
59............................  Joe Davis........      6-1/250  OL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Jenison, MI.
32............................  Corey Edwards....      6-0/183  WR..............  SO..............  1L..............  Grand Rapids, MI (Ottawa Hills).
93............................  Jeremy Ehinger...      6-3/285  DL..............  JR..............  TR..............  Torranc, CA (L.A. Harbor College).
51............................  Billy Eisenhardt.      6-3/270  OC..............  SO..............  1L..............  Macomb, MI (Dakota).
56............................  Ian Evans........      6-3/235  TE..............  FR..............  FR..............  Clearwater, FL (Countryside).
                                Eric Ewing.......      6-1/200  LB..............  FR..............  FR..............  Jackson, MI (Lumen Christi).
31............................  Gary Fant........     5-11/190  DB..............  FR..............  RS..............  Lansing, MI (Eastern).
94............................  Chris Favors.....      6-2/270  DL..............  JR..............  TR..............  Laplace, LA (Citrus J.C.).
16............................  Cullen Finnerty..      6-2/210  QB..............  SR..............  3L..............  Brighton, MI (Brighton).
34............................  Matt Flutur......     5-11/215  RB..............  FR..............  RS..............  Ludington, MI (Mason County
                                                                                                                       Central).
79............................  Dan Foster.......      6-5/250  OL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Grand Haven, MI.
80............................  Eric Fowler......      6-3/198  WR..............  SR..............  3L..............  New Haven, MI (New Haven).
7.............................  Preston Garris...      5-9/190  WR..............  JR..............  2L..............  Muskegon, MI (Mona Shores).
92............................  Ryan Gaydosh.....      6-3/259  DL..............  JR..............  2L..............  Medina, OH (Medina).
66............................  Alex Gilde.......      6-0/265  DL..............  FR..............  FR..............  McBain, MI.
17............................  Brennen Glass....      6-4/220  QB..............  FR..............  FR..............  Springfield, OH.
70............................  John Godush......      6-3/315  OL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Stevensville, MI (Lakeshore).
23............................  Maurice Gore.....      5-9/190  RB..............  FR..............  RS..............  Lansing, MI (Sexton).
97............................  Mike Graham......      6-2/244  TE..............  JR..............  TR..............  Owosso, MI (Grand Rapids C.C.).
                                D.D. Hardy.......      6-0/170  WR..............  FR..............  FR..............  New Haven, MI.
75............................  James Hardy......      6-5/250  OL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Buffalo Grove, IL (Stevenson).
57............................  Brett Harris.....      6-5/240  DE..............  FR..............  RS..............  New Haven, MI.
55............................  Jacob Henige.....      6-2/295  OL..............  JR..............  2L..............  Chesaning, MI (Chesaning).
71............................  Brett Hines......      6-4/290  OL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Cincinnati, OH (Moeller).
54............................  Drew Hinkle......      6-3/240  DL..............  FR..............  RS..............  Dearborn, MI (Divine Child).
65............................  Tyler Holtz......      6-3/294  OL..............  FR..............  RS..............  Holt, MI.
                                Nick Hopkins.....     5-11/170  K/P.............  FR..............  FR..............  Byron Center, MI.
67............................  Brad Hull........      6-4/240  DL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Centreville, OH.
13............................  Brad Iciek.......      6-1/180  QB..............  FR..............  RS..............  Grandville, MI.
42............................  Jay Jandasek.....     5-11/190  K...............  FR..............  FR..............  Brighton, MI.
69............................  Nate John........      6-4/300  OL..............  JR..............  TR..............  Bolingbrook, IL (College of
                                                                                                                       DuPage).
                                Blake Johncock...      6-1/205  LB..............  JR..............  SQ..............  Battle Creek, MI (Central).
47............................  Derrick Jones....      6-5/278  DL..............  SR..............  1L..............  Barstow, CA (Victory Valley
                                                                                                                       College).
53............................  Sam Jones........      6-0/250  DL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Kentwood, MI (East Kentwood).
28............................  Zach Jones.......      6-1/195  DB..............  SR..............  2L..............  Glendale, CA.
                                Lamar Keith......      6-3/230  DL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Inkster, MI.
86............................  Mike Koster......      6-3/206  WR..............  FR..............  RS..............  Lowell, MI.
8.............................  Buster Larkins...     5-11/190  DB..............  SR..............  TR..............  Indianapolis, IN (University of
                                                                                                                       Indiana).
                                Mike Leiffers....      6-1/245  DL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Allendale, MI.
2.............................  Astin Martin.....      5-9/187  RB..............  SR..............  1L..............  Grand Rapids, MI (Toledo).
81............................  John Mathews.....      6-2/235  TE..............  SO..............  1L..............  Essexville, MI (Garber).
77............................  Nick McDonald....      6-4/275  OL..............  FR..............  RS..............  Sterling Heights, MI (Henry Ford
                                                                                                                       II).
11............................  Mike McFadden....      6-1/255  DL..............  SR..............  3L..............  Saginaw, MI (Heritage).
10............................  Jacob McGuckin...      6-2/215  SS..............  FR..............  RS..............  Allen Park, MI.

[[Page H582]]

 
44............................  Byron Miles......      6-0/225  LB..............  JR..............  TR..............  Chicago, IL (Joliet J.C.).
40............................  David Misiewicz..      6-0/185  DB..............  JR..............  SQ..............  Sarasota, FL (Cardinal Mooney).
1.............................  Terry Mitchell...      6-2/210  WR..............  SR..............  1L..............  Port Huron, MI (Harper J.C.).
19............................  Jaquon Morrison..     5-11/185  WR..............  JR..............  TR..............  Carson, CA (L.A. Harbor College).
49............................  Mike Mukuna......      6-2/210  LB..............  FR..............  FR..............  Haslett, MI.
39............................  Frank Mulder.....      6-0/180  DB..............  FR..............  RS..............  Lowell, MI.
38............................  Jordan Munson....      6-4/225  LB..............  FR..............  RS..............  Petoskey, MI (Petoskey).
60............................  Doug Neumeyer....      6-3/255  OL..............  FR..............  RS..............  Sanduskey, MI.
22............................  Courtney Partee..      5-9/170  CB..............  FR..............  RS..............  Ada, MI (East Grand Rapids).
                                Denny Pittman....      6-1/190  DB..............  FR..............  FR..............  Walker, MI (West Catholic).
46............................  Justin Pollock...      6-2/240  DL..............  FR..............  SQ..............  Kentwood, MI (East Kentwood).
45............................  Danny Richard....      6-3/220  DL..............  FR..............  FR..............  West Bloomfield, MI.
                                Chad Richardson..      6-1/189  WR..............  SO..............  TR..............  Charlotte, MI.
26............................  Sean Roland......     5-11/195  DB..............  SR..............  3L..............  Detroit, MI (University of Detroit
                                                                                                                       Jesuit).
                                Matt Russell.....     5-10/188  RB..............  FR..............  FR..............  Naperville, IL (Aurora Christian).
12............................  Brandon Ryan.....      5-8/192  DB..............  JR..............  2L..............  Grand Blanc, MI
18............................  Mike Scherpenberg      6-4/180  QB..............  FR..............  FR..............  Cincinnati, OH (Indian Hill).
41............................  Felix Sharpe.....     5-10/172  WR..............  FR..............  RS..............  Kalamazoo, MI (Central).
33............................  Dan Skuta........      6-3/240  DE..............  SO..............  1L..............  Flint, MI (Carman-Ainsworth).
27............................  Blake Smolen.....      6-0/198  WR..............  FR..............  RS..............  Grosse Ile, MI.
15............................  Chad Somerville..      6-2/204  QB..............  FR..............  RS..............  Mason, MI.
14............................  Derek Stansbery..      6-0/201  DB..............  JR..............  TR..............  Battle Creek, MI. (Harper Creek).
72............................  Brett Stengele...      6-5/265  OL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Cresthill, IL (Joliet Catholic).
68............................  Sean Stevens.....      6-4/260  OL..............  JR..............  2L..............  Grand Ledge, MI (Grand Ledge).
                                Alex Szarenski...      6-2/257  DL..............  FR..............  RS..............  Southfield, MI (Brother Rice).
73............................  Joey Teague......      6-2/270  OL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Fairfield, OH.
                                Bryan Thomas.....      6-0/265  DL..............  FR..............  RS..............  South Lyon, MI.
                                Tony Thompson....     5-10/170  DB..............  FR..............  FR..............  Traverse City, MI. (West).
63............................  Jacob Topp.......      6-3/272  OL..............  SO..............  1L..............  Strongsville, OH (Eastern
                                                                                                                       Michigan).
96............................  Lance Travis.....      6-2/237  DE..............  FR..............  RS..............  Sebewaning, MI. (Unionville-
                                                                                                                       Sebewaning).
85............................  Antione Trent....      6-2/198  WR..............  JR..............  2L..............  Grand Rapids, MI. (Ottawa Hills).
48............................  Justin Trumble...      6-2/190  P/K.............  FR..............  RS..............  Grosse Point, MI. (Dakota).
91............................  Justin Ulberg....      6-3/250  DL..............  JR..............  2L..............  Allendale, MI.
                                Justin Victor....      6-1/200  LB..............  FR..............  FR..............  Allen Park, MI.
89............................  Matt Wade........     5-10/160  WR..............  FR..............  RS..............  Grand Haven, MI.
                                John Wasmund.....      6-1/210  K...............  FR..............  FR..............  Westerville, OH (North).
74............................  Collin Williams..      6-4/250  OL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Howell, MI.
98............................  Justin Winsor....      6-4/245  DL..............  FR..............  FR..............  Middleton, MI (Fulton-Middleton).
78............................  Joe Wohlscheid...      6-7/305  OL..............  JR..............  1L..............  Grand Ledge, MI.
50............................  James                  6-0/214  LB..............  FR..............  RS..............  Southfield, MI. (Brother Rice).
                                 Wojciechowski.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                coaches

       Chuck Martin--head coach.
       Steve Brockelbank--assistant head coach/OL/rec. 
     coordinator.
       Matt Pawlowski--defensive coordinator/defensive backs.
       Todd Kolster--offensive coordinator/quarterbacks.
       Matt Mitchell--linebackers/strength & conditioning.
       William Pascol--running backs.
       Jim Schaak--kickers/tight/ends.
       Matt Yoches--defensive line.
       Dan Fodrocy--graduate assistant.
       Adam McClain--graduate assistant
       David Sartin--graduate assistant.
       Dan Price--video coordinator.

  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 62, a 
resolution congratulating the Grand Valley State University Lakers for 
winning the 2006 NCAA Division II Football National Championship.
  Head Coach Chuck Martin and his team have helped to bring national 
reknown to GVSU's campuses in Allendale, Grand Rapids and throughout 
West Michigan with their excellence on the field. Over the past five 
years, the Lakers have won four National Championships in their 
division, a feat that has been duplicated at no other level of college 
football in the same time span.
  The senior class of this team compiled a four-year record of 52-4, 
making them the winningest senior class of football players in NCAA 
history. Led by quarterback Cullin Finnerty, Eric Fowler and Mike 
McFadden--each of them named first-team Little All-America players by 
the Associated Press--the Lakers dominated their competition to an 
undefeated 15-0 season, culminating in a 17-14 championship victory 
over the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats on December 16, 
2006, in Florence, Alabama.
  The game was witnessed by 7,000 fans in the stadium and by a 
worldwide audience including our soldiers in Iraq and elsewhere, who 
watched the game on the Armed Forces TV Network. One GVSU official, my 
former press secretary, Chris Barbee, reported hearing from two 
soldiers in Iraq congratulating the team on its victory.
  The Laker football team is emblematic of Grand Valley State 
University as a whole--a thriving, bustling university in West Michigan 
with more than 23,000 students and nearly 2,000 faculty and staff. The 
university, led by its new president Thomas J. Haas, is striving for 
excellence at all levels academic and athletic alike.
  Congratulations again to Grand Valley State University, Coach Martin 
and his staff, and all the players, support staff and fans who made 
this championship a reality.
  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, today we will be considering H. Res. 62, a 
resolution congratulating the Grand Valley State University Lakers for 
winning the 2006 NCAA Division II Football National Championship. And 
although I will be supporting this resolution out of respect for my 
friend and colleague, Congressman Peter Hoekstra, I would like to take 
a moment to recognize the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats.
  This is the second consecutive year Northwest Missouri State 
University has made a run for the championship. Unfortunately, the 
football Gods were not kind to them at the championship game this year. 
However, the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats are an 
exceptional football team with great team spirit.
  Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing the 
Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats football team for an 
outstanding 2006 season, and I look forward to cheering them on to the 
NCAA Division II Football Championship again next year.
  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 62.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those voting have responded in the affirmative.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

                          ____________________