[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 10, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4314-S4315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPARTANS

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 144 submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The resolution (S. Res. 144) honoring the Michigan State 
     University Spartans on winning the 2007 Men's National 
     Collegiate Hockey Championship.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I am happy to join with my colleague from 
Michigan, Senator Debbie Stabenow, in supporting this resolution, which 
recognizes the Spartans hard work, grit and determination in winning 
Michigan State University's third NCAA Men's Hockey championship. The 
Spartans secured the 2007 National Title in dramatic fashion by 
overcoming a 1 to 0 deficit to defeat Boston College 3 to 1 in the NCAA 
Men's Championship Final. This victory is a

[[Page S4315]]

great source of pride for all those affiliated with Michigan State 
University and for the entire state of Michigan.
  Championships are won by doing all the little things right, by not 
giving up, and by trusting one another regardless of the obstacles. All 
of these traits were on display Saturday night when, in the waning 
moments of the championship game, the Spartans mounted a final charge 
to capture the 2007 NCAA Title. The Spartans scored 3 goals in the 
final 10 minutes of play. The game was tied until the last minute of 
regulation, when Justin Abdelkader scored the go-ahead goal with 18.9 
seconds remaining. The Spartans solidified this hard-fought victory by 
scoring an empty netter set up by an Eagle team that desperately fought 
to tie the game.
  The Spartans upset victory before a record setting crowd of 19,432 at 
the Scottrade Center in St. Louis completed a highly entertaining and 
rewarding season. MSU Hockey's third NCAA title is being celebrated 
today in East Lansing, Michigan. The members of the championship team 
are being honored with a parade followed by a rally at Munn Ice Arena. 
This is a victory for the Spartan team and MSU community, as well as 
for the many fans, friends, and family whose strong and unwavering 
support was exhibited throughout the Spartans' memorable championship 
season.
  Each member of the MSU team made important contributions to the 
Spartans' success, including players Justin Abdelkader, Tim Crowder, 
Jeff Dunne, Tyler Howells, Brandon Gentile, Ethan Graham, Bobby Jarosz, 
Justin Johnston, Tim Kennedy, Kurt Kivisto, Chris Lawrence, Bryan Lerg, 
Jeff Lerg, Zak McClellan, Jim McKenzie, Steve Mnich, Chris Mueller, 
Michael Ratchuk, Matt Schepke, Chris Snavely, Jay Sprague, Daniel 
Sturges, Nick Sucharski, Ryan Turek, Daniel Vukovic, Brandon Warner, 
Head Coach Rick Comley, Assistant Coaches Tom Newton and Brian Renfrew, 
and Athletic Trainer Dave Carrier.
  MSU Spartans' Head Coach Rick Comley, who was named a 2007 National 
Coach of the Year finalist, became the third coach in college hockey 
history to win national titles at two institutions, the first with 
Northern Michigan University. Coach Comley recorded his 714th career 
victory on Saturday. He currently holds the distinction of being the 
third winningest coach amongst active hockey coaches and fifth 
winningest in NCAA Hockey history. He has continued the successful 
Spartan Hockey tradition established by Ron Mason, the Spartans' former 
head coach, current athletic director, and the all-time winningest NCAA 
Hockey coach.
  Throughout the 2007 championship season, the MSU men's hockey team 
has demonstrated a commitment to unselfish play, always placing team 
success ahead of individual accomplishments. However, I would be remiss 
if I did not acknowledge the outstanding individual effort displayed by 
sophomore goal tender Jeff Lerg, whose instrumental play throughout the 
season helped to secure the title and earned him both NCAA Midwest 
Regional MVP honors and a place on the Frozen Four All Tournament team.
  I know my colleagues in the Senate join me in congratulating Coach 
Comley and the 2007 Michigan State University Spartans on their NCAA 
Men's Hockey National Championship.

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