[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 10, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4315-S4316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  MSU SPARTAN HOCKEY NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise today to commend the Michigan 
State University Spartans on winning the 2007 Men's National Collegiate 
Hockey Championship.
  On Saturday, April 7, 2007, the Michigan State University Men's 
Hockey Team won the 2007 Men's Hockey National Collegiate Athletic 
Association Championship by defeating Boston College by a score of 3 to 
1.
  In a hard-fought game, and going into the final period with a one-
goal deficit, the Spartans charged ahead to tie the game, and then 
triumphantly scored a game-winning goal with only 18.9 seconds 
remaining of play.
  This victory constituted MSU Hockey's third national championship, 
and the first since 1986. Each member of the MSU Hockey organization 
made essential contributions to the team's success.
  MSU Spartans' Head Coach Rick Comley has become only the third coach 
in college hockey history to win national titles at two institutions, 
and has earned over 700 career wins.
  A record crowd of over 19,000 people attended the Frozen Four 
Championship game in St. Louis, and the enthusiasm shown by the people 
of Michigan and the students of MSU demonstrate Michigan's strong 
support for the MSU Hockey organization.
  I know how important the families and friends of the team have been 
in providing unwavering support and always cheering on their Spartans.
  In the final weeks of the season, with an uncertain forecast of their 
playoff position, the Spartans rallied together with unrivaled team 
character and focus, and starting with the 1st round playoffs in Grand 
Rapids, MI, they went on undefeated to clinch the championship.
  Michigan State University has always stood as a center for excellence 
in both athletics and scholarship, especially with the guidance of 
University President Lou Anna K. Simon, and athletic director and 
renowned former MSU Hockey coach, Ron Mason.
  I am a proud MSU alumnus myself, and was beyond delighted to see this 
great team win the national championship.
  The MSU Spartans displayed unparalleled team camaraderie, and have 
shown their ability to unite both on and off the ice has led them to 
well-fought victories.
  The Spartan Hockey Team demonstrated superior strength, skill, 
perseverance and determination and has made Michigan State University 
and the entire State of Michigan proud.
  I congratulate the MSU Spartan Hockey Team on winning the 2007 NCAA 
Championship and recognize all the players, coaches, staff, fans, and 
others who were instrumental in this great achievement.
  Again, this is a wonderful day for Michigan State University. We are 
very proud of our hockey members and particularly proud of a member of 
my staff, Jeff Muich, whose brother Steve is a member of that team. So 
with pride we congratulate Michigan State University on this wonderful 
achievement.
  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to 
the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 144) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 144

       Whereas, on Saturday, April 7, 2007, the Michigan State 
     University (MSU) Men's Hockey Team won the 2007 Men's Hockey 
     National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship 
     by defeating Boston College by a score of 3 to 1;
       Whereas entering the final period with a one-goal deficit, 
     the Spartans rallied to tie the game at 1 to 1, and with 18.9 
     seconds remaining in regulation, scored the go-ahead goal to 
     secure MSU Hockey's third national championship, and first 
     since 1986;
       Whereas the MSU Spartans won the NCAA Midwest Regional in 
     Grand Rapids, Michigan, to qualify for the Frozen Four 
     finals, making them the first Central Collegiate Hockey 
     Association team to reach the tournament finals since 1998;
       Whereas each member of the MSU Hockey organization made 
     essential contributions to the team's 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, and Brandon Warner, Head Coach Rick Comley, 
     Assistant Coaches Tom Newton and Brian Renfrew, and Athletic 
     Trainer Dave Carrier;
       Whereas 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, 
     and has recorded over 700 career victories, making him the 
     third winningest coach amongst active coaches, and fifth 
     winningest in NCAA history;
       Whereas at the Frozen Four Championship game in St. Louis, 
     a record 19,432 people attended and the enthusiasm shown by 
     the

[[Page S4316]]

     people of Michigan and the student body of Michigan State 
     University clearly demonstrates Michigan's strong support for 
     the MSU Hockey organization and the determined effort of all 
     the team's players;
       Whereas MSU Hockey's third NCAA title will be celebrated in 
     East Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday, April 10, 2007, and its 
     members honored with a parade followed by a rally at Munn Ice 
     Arena;
       Whereas the families and friends of the team have provided 
     unwavering support and have tirelessly cheered on their 
     Spartans;
       Whereas after many trials and tribulations in the later 
     part of the season, the Spartans rallied together with 
     unrivaled team character and focus to clinch the NCAA title;
       Whereas Michigan State University has always stood as a 
     center for excellence in both athletics and scholarship, 
     under the current leadership of University President Lou Anna 
     K. Simon, and Athletic Director and renowned former MSU 
     Hockey coach Ron Mason;
       Whereas the MSU Spartans displayed unparalleled team 
     camaraderie and have shown their ability to unite both on and 
     off the ice, which led to hard-fought victories throughout 
     the season; and
       Whereas the Spartan Men's Hockey Team demonstrated superior 
     strength, skill, perseverance, and determination during the 
     2006-2007 season and has made Michigan State University and 
     the entire State of Michigan proud: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Michigan State University Men's 
     Hockey Team on winning the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association Championship and recognizes all the players, 
     coaches, staff, fans, families, and others who were 
     instrumental in this great achievement; and
       (2) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an 
     enrolled copy of this resolution to Michigan State University 
     and to the MSU Spartans Men's Hockey Team for appropriate 
     display.

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