[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 27, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H1923-H1924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE MOUNT UNION COLLEGE PURPLE RAIDERS FOR WINNING THE 
         2006 NCAA DIVISION III FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 103) congratulating the Mount Union 
College Purple Raiders for winning the 2006 NCAA Division III Football 
National Championship.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 103

       Whereas on December 16, 2006, the Mount Union College 
     Purple Raiders of Alliance, Ohio, won the 2006 National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Football 
     National Championship by defeating the University of 
     Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks by a score of 35-16 in the Amos 
     Alonzo Stagg Bowl;
       Whereas while there are currently 231 schools playing NCAA 
     Division III college football, during the last 14 years the 
     Purple Raiders have won an unprecedented 9 NCAA Division III 
     Football National Championships;
       Whereas Mount Union College currently has the second 
     longest winning streak in all of college football with 23 
     consecutive victories;
       Whereas the Purple Raiders have won 62 consecutive games on 
     the road;
       Whereas the Purple Raiders hold college football's two 
     longest winning streaks--55 consecutive games won from 2000 
     to 2003 and 54 consecutive wins from 1996 to 1999;
       Whereas in winning the 2006 National Championship, Mount 
     Union College Football Head Coach Larry Kehres completed his 
     21st season as head coach of the Purple Raiders;
       Whereas Coach Kehres has compiled a phenomenal 246-20-3 
     record at Mount Union College and the best career winning 
     percentage (.920) for a head coach--at any division level--in 
     the history of college football;
       Whereas Coach Kehres has led the Purple Raiders to all 9 of 
     their National Championships, 17 Ohio Athletic Conference 
     titles, and 15 undefeated regular seasons;
       Whereas Coach Kehres was named the American Football 
     Coaches Association Division III Coach of the Year for a 
     record eighth time in 2006;
       Whereas the Purple Raiders finished the 2006 season ranked 
     first nationally in Division III football in total offense, 
     first in scoring, first in passing efficiency, second in 
     rushing, second in total team defense, second in scoring 
     defense, second in rush defense, and eighth in pass 
     efficiency defense; and
       Whereas Mount Union College graduates approximately 98 
     percent of the student-athletes who remain in the football 
     program for a full four years: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the Mount Union College Purple Raiders 
     for winning the 2006 NCAA Division III 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 
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 legislative 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 may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate another college for their 
accomplishments. Mount Union College, located in Alliance, Ohio, is not 
only known as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the Midwest but 
also more recently for winning the NCAA Division III Football National 
Championship.
  On December 16 of last year, the Mount Union College Purple Raiders 
captured their ninth NCAA Division III Football National Championship 
by defeating the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks.
  We know that such accomplishments are achieved through a group 
effort. I applaud the Purple Raiders coaching staff; the 
administration; student athletes; and, of course, the fans for a 
championship season.
  I also want to extend my congratulations to the Wisconsin-Whitewater 
Warhawks for a well-played game and a successful season.
  The Purple Raiders, whose purple parrot mascot is well known in 
northeastern Ohio, have achieved some notable athletic accomplishments, 
including nine national championships in the past 14 years, along with 
two of the longest winning streaks in college football.
  Mr. Speaker, once again I commend and congratulate Mount Union 
College

[[Page H1924]]

for their dedication and success, not only for their athletic prowess 
but also for their academic achievement and academic reputation.
  I urge support for 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 today in support of House Resolution 103. This 
resolution congratulates the Mount Union College Purple Raiders for 
winning the 2006 NCAA Division III Football National Championship.
  The Purple Raiders captured the title by defeating the University of 
Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks 35-16 in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl on 
December 16 in front of 6,051 faithful fans.
  Since 1990, and under the tutelage of Head Coach Larry Kehres, the 
Raiders have made 16 playoff appearances while posting college 
football's most wins and best winning percentage. Coach Kehres 
completed his 21st year at the helm of the Purple Raiders football 
fortunes in 2006 and has built one of the most successful programs in 
all of college football. His teams have won 17 Ohio Athletic Conference 
Championships while posting 15 undefeated regular seasons and have won 
nine Division III National Championships in the last 14 years. Along 
the way, Coach Kehres has compiled a phenomenal 246-20-3 record and the 
best career winning percentage for a head coach, at any division level, 
in the history of college football. For his efforts, Kehres has been 
named the AFCA Division III National Coach of the Year eight times.
  I extend my congratulations to Head Coach Larry Kehres, all of the 
hardworking players, the fans, and to Mount Union College. I am happy 
to join my good friend and colleague Representative Regula in honoring 
this exceptional team and all of its accomplishments and wish all 
involved continued success.
  I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield at this time such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula).
  Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from California for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 103, congratulating the 
Mount Union College Purple Raiders on their 2006 Division III Football 
National Championship.
  As you know, Ohio is quite a football State; and while most people 
think of teams like Ohio State when they think of Ohio football, the 
team with the most amazing winning record is actually Mount Union 
College and its Purple Raiders. In December they beat the Wisconsin-
Whitewater Warhawks in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.
  The Purple Raiders from Mount Union College in Alliance have been a 
perpetually dominant team under the reign of Head Coach Larry Kehres 
and staff, winning an astounding nine NCAA Division III Football 
Championships. The players who have come and gone through the Mount 
Union football program should also be honored for their superior work 
ethic on the football field and in the classroom. As an alumnus of 
Mount Union College, I take special pride that the students that remain 
in the football program all 4 years have an incredible 98 percent 
graduation rate. That is astounding, I think, everything considered in 
what we hear and so on. Such phenomenal scholastic and athletic 
achievement should not go unnoticed. These graduation rates are 
impressive for any higher education institution and are especially 
remarkable for college athletes.
  The most recent NCAA victory comes as no surprise to those who have 
followed the Purple Raiders over the past two decades. They have had 
the two longest winning streaks in all of college football, with 54 
consecutive victories from 1996 to 1999 and 55 victories from 2000 to 
2003. The Purple Raiders also currently hold the second longest winning 
streak in all of college football, with 23 consecutive victories. With 
winning streaks like these, it is no shock that Larry Kehres has the 
best career winning percentage in any division level of college 
football ever, with a remarkable record of 246 wins, 20 losses, and 3 
ties. That is a remarkable record.
  Along with such incredible regular season records, the Purple Raiders 
have also won nine NCAA Division III championships, 17 Ohio Athletic 
Conference titles to go along with 15 perfect seasons. These statistics 
have all been achieved under the excellent coaching of Larry Kehres. 
His record has earned him the American Football Coaches Association 
Division III Coach of the Year a record eight times. Coach Kehres can 
certainly take great pride in the dexterity and proficiency he has 
instilled in the young athletes that have walked the halls of Mount 
Union College.
  This year's players have yet again risen to the occasion and proved 
to be the best of Division III. The Purple Raiders finished first 
nationally in Division III football in total offense and second in 
total defense, which can only give a slight indication as to the work 
ethic of this team. The national title they achieved in 2006 was well 
earned by these athletes, coaches, and staff.
  I would like to congratulate Mount Union College President Richard 
Giese; Coach Larry Kehres; his coaches; the faculty and staff; as well 
as the terrific and enthusiastic fans, and we have them, but especially 
all of the players for yet another undefeated year and national 
championship.

                              {time}  1630

  Mr. Speaker, 2006 was a great season, and I am sure it will not be 
the last for these Purple Raiders. As the great coach Vince Lombardi 
once said, ``Being a champion means you are willing to go longer, work 
harder, and give more than anyone else.'' The current Purple Raiders 
team and those of prior seasons, along with Coach Kehres, have proven 
the wisdom of this statement time and time again.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. 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 am happy to be here to sing the praises of the Purple 
Raiders. When I heard Mr. Regula talk about all of their 
accomplishments and then the 98 percent graduation rate, that really is 
impressive. I would like to meet Coach Kehres one day.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Mr. Regula 
for having such an outstanding institution in his district to 
represent. When you consider all of the football games that they have 
won, as well as the graduation rate and the kind of academics that they 
display, he has to indeed be proud. I am proud for him.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this resolution.
  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. 103.
  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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