[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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