[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 27, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H1921-H1923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TROJAN FOOTBALL TEAM 
                 FOR ITS VICTORY IN THE 2007 ROSE BOWL

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 126) commending the University of 
Southern California Trojan football team for its victory in the 2007 
Rose Bowl.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 126

       Whereas the University of Southern California (USC) Trojan 
     football team achieved many historic accomplishments during 
     the 2006 season;

[[Page H1922]]

       Whereas the USC Trojan football team achieved its fifth 
     consecutive Associated Press (AP) Top 4 finish;
       Whereas USC was invited to make an unprecedented fifth 
     consecutive Bowl Championship Series bowl appearance;
       Whereas USC won an unprecedented fifth consecutive Pacific-
     10 Conference championship;
       Whereas USC achieved its fifth consecutive season of at 
     least 11 victories, an achievement equaled by only 3 other 
     Division I schools in the history of National Collegiate 
     Athletic Association (NCAA) football;
       Whereas USC accomplished these feats while playing the 
     second most difficult schedule in the Nation;
       Whereas USC boasts a 33-game winning streak for all home 
     games, as well as a 23-game winning streak for Pac-10 home 
     games;
       Whereas USC has maintained a top 10 ranking in the 
     Associated Press College Football Poll for the past 56 
     editions;
       Whereas USC has won 56 of its last 60 games;
       Whereas during the 2006 season, USC featured 5 All-American 
     first team players (wide receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Steve 
     Smith, center Ryan Kalil, offensive tackle Sam Baker, and 
     defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis);
       Whereas USC head football coach Pete Carroll has the best 
     winning percentage of any current NCAA Division I football 
     coach with at least 5 years of experience;
       Whereas the annual Rose Bowl is the oldest of all college 
     bowl games, and its history and prestige have earned it the 
     title ``The Granddaddy of Them All'';
       Whereas USC has played in the Rose Bowl on 31 occasions and 
     won 22 times, both records exceeding any other collegiate 
     football program;
       Whereas during the 2007 Rose Bowl game, USC featured a 
     second half offensive explosion behind a game record-tying 4 
     touchdown passes from quarterback John David Booty;
       Whereas during the 2007 Rose Bowl game, wide receiver 
     Dwayne Jarrett caught 2 touchdown passes, was named Offensive 
     Most Valuable Player for the game, and became USC's career 
     receptions leader with 11 catches for 205 yards;
       Whereas during the 2007 Rose Bowl game, linebacker Brian 
     Cushing made 7 tackles, 4 tackles for losses, 2.5 sacks, and 
     forced a fumble, and he was named the Defensive Most Valuable 
     Player for the game; and
       Whereas, under the leadership of USC's 10th president, 
     Steven B. Sample, USC has established itself as a world-class 
     research university, known for its leadership in the fields 
     of communication, media, the sciences, and the arts: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the University of Southern California Trojan 
     football team and USC President Steven B. Sample for USC's 
     victory in the 2007 Rose Bowl; and
       (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, 
     students, alumni, and staff who were instrumental in helping 
     the University of Southern California win the Rose Bowl.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that each 
Member would have 5 days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  I want to congratulate the University of Southern California for 
their victory in the 2007 Rose Bowl.
  On New Year's Day, college football fans, student athletes and the 
Nation were treated to an exceptional college bowl game. And no matter 
what team you support, it is always a thrill to watch the Rose Bowl.
  The University of Southern California made history by appearing in 
its fifth consecutive Bowl Championship Series game and defeated the 
Michigan Wolverines by a score of 32-18.
  I would like to extend my congratulations to the coaching staff, 
administration, and most of all to the student athletes and fans for 
winning the Rose Bowl.
  I also want to extend my congratulations to the Michigan Wolverines 
and their student athletes for a great season. Winning the Rose Bowl 
has brought national acclaim to a university that already has a rich 
history as the oldest private research university in the West. USC also 
lays claim as the birthplace of important Internet technologies and has 
the only marching band in the United States of America that has earned 
a platinum record.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I congratulate the University of Southern 
California for their success in winning the Rose Bowl, and also for 
their great educational tradition. I urge passage of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 126. This 
resolution recognizes the University of Southern California football 
team for yet another great season, winning the PAC-10 conference as 
well as their dominating 32-18 victory over the University of Michigan 
in the granddaddy of them all, the Rose Bowl.
  USC has put together one of the best coaching staffs in the country, 
and this game was proof. Early in the second half, Michigan had made it 
clear to USC that they could not establish the run. Now, former USC 
offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin said, ``We're not running the ball 
for another play.'' And for the next 30 plays USC took to the air, 
rushing the ball only twice.
  The ability of Coach Carroll and his coaching staff to change the 
game plan mid-game and make personnel adjustments is what separates USC 
from the rest of the country every year, and led them to their Rose 
Bowl victory.
  Today, when you hear about USC winning the Rose Bowl and finishing 
the season as the fourth best team in the country, it doesn't sound 
like too much of an accomplishment, that is until you look at this team 
and see that they lost two Heisman trophy winners, six key pieces in 
their offense in the first three rounds of the NFL draft, and lost 11 
players overall to the NFL before the season began.
  I extend my congratulations to Head Coach Pete Carroll, his coaching 
staff, and every one of the dedicated players, the fans, and to the 
University of Southern California.
  I am happy to join in honoring this exceptional team and also of its 
accomplishments and wish all involved continued success.
  I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such 
time as she might consume to the gentlelady from California, 
Representative Diane Watson.

                              {time}  1615

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today to commend the 
University of Southern California, located in my district, Trojan 
football team for its victory in the 2007 Rose Bowl. The Trojans' Rose 
Bowl victory puts an exclamation mark on a successful 2006-2007 season 
as well as years of unparalleled Trojan football excellence. Let me 
cite just a few examples of the football team's long list of 
accomplishments:
  The USC Trojan football team achieved its fifth consecutive AP top 4 
finish. Its appearance in the 2007 Rose Bowl marked an unprecedented 
fifth consecutive Bowl Championship Series bid. The team won an 
unprecedented fifth consecutive PAC-10 Conference championship. It 
maintained a top 10 ranking in the AP College Football Poll for the 
past 56 editions. And the football team won 56 of its last 60 games.
  It is noteworthy that the USC Trojan football team accomplished these 
feats while playing the second most difficult schedule in the Nation.
  The victory of the USC Trojan football team also exemplifies the 
excellence of the University of Southern California as not only an 
athletic powerhouse but also an academic institution of higher 
learning. USC has established itself as a leader in the fields of 
communications, media, the sciences, as well as the arts. It is home to 
one of the best, if not the best, schools of film in the United States. 
It also boasts a world-renowned school of music.
  USC is the oldest private research university in the West and is a 
critical part of the 33rd Congressional District of California. It is 
home to 33,000 students, 3,100 faculty, and 7,900 employees. It is the 
largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. Its physicians 
serve more than 1 million patients a year. Its Educational Opportunity 
Programs Center has provided academic enrichment and support services 
to thousands of neighborhood residents.

[[Page H1923]]

  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I commend both the University of Southern 
California's football team for its victory in the 2007 Rose Bowl; its 
coach, Pete Carroll; its athletic director, Mike Garrett; as well as 
the coaches, students, alumni, and staff who were instrumental in USC's 
Rose Bowl victory.
  And I just need to add this: I want to also commend the University of 
Southern California and its president, Steven B. Sample, for taking in 
130 students from New Orleans when their university had flooded. And 
they not only allowed them to come there and admitted them, but they 
gave them room and board at a time of great need.
  So USC and its president have played a major role in the continuous 
success of the University of Southern California; the City of Los 
Angeles; and the people of the Golden State, California.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I am happy that Ms. Watson talked about all 
the other accomplishments of SC while I just talked about the football 
team. The football team was great, but it is nice to see that they are 
doing all of these other wonderful things, and I commend them for it. I 
urge our colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I agree with the ranking member. 
It does sound like Ms. Watson is quite proud of the University of 
Southern California. As a matter of fact, I want to take this 
opportunity also to thank her and the University of Southern California 
for hosting one of our State of the African American Male conferences 
that I had the opportunity to attend with her.
  It is indeed a great institution, not only in terms of its athletic 
prowess but also in terms of its scholarship and academic tradition. I 
urge support for this resolution.
  Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. 
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 126, as authored by my fellow 
Californian, Mrs. Watson.
  As an alumnus of the University of Southern California, I've had the 
pleasure of watching our football teams compete against some of the 
best teams in the country over the years. The recent record of success 
is undeniable, which is why I'm happy to offer my support of my alma 
matter and this Resolution.
  This year's Rose Bowl included USC playing against a University of 
Michigan football team that was nationally ranked at number three in 
the country. The Wolverines, though laden with their own star-power, 
were simply unable to match the combined efforts of the Trojans on New 
Year's Day in January.
  The players on offense for USC displayed one reason why the Trojans 
were ranked so highly at the end of the season, even while playing what 
was one of the most difficult schedules of any collegiate team in the 
country. Our offense was led by the tandem of John Booty and Dwayne 
Jarrett, who helped the Trojans to a second-half burst that was 
exciting for any USC supporter, young or old.
  But they were not the only reason for an impressive 32-18 victory; 
the Trojans defense held the University of Michigan offense to just 14 
yards of total rushing, which is no simple feat given the running backs 
for the Wolverines.
  The Trojans' win in January was part of a recent string of impressive 
marks, from winning a fifth consecutive Pac-10 Conference Championship 
to the team winning 56 of its last 60 games. Winning the 2007 Rose Bowl 
was an excellent way to end the team's season and should remain a 
motivating factor when this fall rolls around.
  I'm hopeful all of our Members, and yes, even those who attended the 
University of Michigan, can offer their support of today's resolution 
that commends USC on its victory. And here's to hoping we can support a 
similar such Resolution next year.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. 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 Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 126.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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