[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 12, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H6248-H6250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING BARTON COLLEGE MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE
2007 NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 329) congratulating the Barton College men's
basketball team for winning the 2007 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball
National Championship.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 329
Whereas the Barton College Bulldogs of Wilson, North
Carolina, defeated Winona State University of Rochester,
Minnesota, the undefeated and defending NCAA Division II
Men's Basketball National Champions, 77-75 on March 24, 2007,
to become the 2007 NCAA Men's Basketball National Champions;
Whereas Anthony Atkinson of Barton College, the Elite Eight
most valuable player, scored 10 points in the final 39
seconds of the
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game, including a layup at the buzzer, to give Barton College
the NCAA Division II men's basketball title and its first
NCAA championship in any sport;
Whereas Barton College played and won 9 overtime games
during the 2006-2007 season to finish the season 31-5,
including winning its last 21 games, a school record;
Whereas Barton College, a school with just 1,000 students,
defeated teams during the Elite Eight from schools with much
larger student bodies (Grand Valley State, Michigan, 23,000
students, Cal State San Bernardino, 17,000 students, and
Winona State University, 8,000 students);
Whereas Coach Ron Lievense of Barton College, who had
served as a graduate assistant at Winona State University,
summed up the Barton College victory: ``I don't see how any
ending could be any better for any team--ever'';
Whereas Barton College continues the long tradition of
North Carolina schools winning NCAA basketball championships;
Whereas Barton College was founded in 1902 as Atlantic
Christian College and changed its name in 1990; and
Whereas Barton College was named a ``Best Southeastern
College'' for 2006 by the Princeton Review: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates
the Barton College men's basketball team for winning the 2007
NCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hare) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. David Davis)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which
Members may insert material relevant to House Resolution 329 into the
Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Barton College Bulldogs
for their win in the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association
Division II Men's Basketball Tournament.
On March 24, 2007, Barton College won the NCAA Division II Elite
Eight Tournament by defeating the defending champions, Winona State
University of Rochester, Minnesota. College basketball fans, student
athletes, and the general public were treated to an exciting national
championship game with one of the greatest rallies in Elite Eight
Tournament history.
Barton College had an extraordinary year. The team won all nine of
its overtime games, an NCAA Division II record. The team also had a
season record of 31-5 and won their last 21 games, which is a school
record.
I want to extend my congratulations to Head Coach Ron Lievense,
Athletic Director Gary Hall, Barton College President Dr. Norval
Kneten, and Barton's student athletes for winning the national
championship.
I also want to extend my congratulations to Winona State University
of Rochester, Minnesota, on an excellent season. Winona State finished
their season with only one loss, which happened to be the national
championship game.
Winning the national championship in such a courageous fashion has
brought attention to the outstanding athletic program at Barton
College. I know the fans of the university will remember this very
special moment for many years to come.
I urge my colleagues to join me in passing House Resolution 329,
congratulating the Barton College men's basketball team.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1050
Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield as
much time as he may consume to my good friend, the gentleman from North
Carolina (Mr. Jones).
Mr. JONES of North Carolina. I thank the gentleman.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Democratic side and the Republican
side and my dear friend, Mr. Butterfield, for bringing this resolution
to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, I join my friend, Congressman G.K. Butterfield of North
Carolina, and many of my colleagues to support H. Res. 329, a
resolution to congratulate the Barton College men's basketball team for
winning the 2007 NCAA Division II men's basketball national
championship.
Years ago, I attended Atlantic Christian College, which changed its
name to Barton College in 1990. Mr. Speaker, I, like many of my
colleagues in Congress, have had the fortunate opportunity of playing
on a championship team. More than 40 years later, I can still vividly
recall in my mind the wonderful memory of the night my prep school
basketball team at Hargrave Military Academy won the military league
championship. No matter what level, winning a championship is something
an individual will remember all of his or her life. My prep school
basketball team claimed its championship with a final score of 81-79,
so I know the firsthand experience of a close game.
How exciting it was to see Barton College basketball make a
miraculous comeback from seven points behind in the final 40 seconds to
defeat Winona State University of Rochester, Minnesota, an undefeated
team and last year's Division II champion, by a score of 77-75. Senior
All-American point guard Anthony Atkinson scored the Bulldogs' final 10
points, including a layup at the buzzer; but I am sure that Anthony
Atkinson would tell you that the win was a team effort.
In David and Goliath fashion, Barton College, a school with just
1,000 students, defeated teams during the Elite Eight from schools with
much larger student bodies, Grand Valley State, Michigan, 23,000
students; Cal State San Bernardino, 17,000 students; and Winona State
University, 8,000 students, to claim the school's first NCAA
championship in any sport. Again, a student body of 1,000.
The team's confidence and calm under pressure helped it play and win
nine overtime games during the 2006/2007 season to finish the season
31-5 and break a school record by winning its last 21 games.
Barton College is located in Congressman Butterfield's district, yet
I share part of the county with Congressman Butterfield. I join him in
congratulating the coaches and all the members of the 2006/2007 Barton
College men's basketball team.
Mr. Speaker, at this time I will submit for the Record the names of
the coaches and the players.
coaches
Ron Lievense (head), Joel Zimmerman, John Skinner, Mark
Pounds.
players
Sam Pounds, Jerrett Eason, Brandon Barton, Isaiah Cromwell,
Errol Frails, Anthony Atkinson, Bobby Buffaloe, Spenser
Briggs, Jeff Dalce, Brandon Raffel, Travis Johnson, Charles
Gamble, Darrius Lee, Bobby McNeil, Brian Leggett, Alejo
Barovero, David King, Mark Friscone, L.J. Dunn, Mike Flowers.
Mr. Speaker, Barton College is proud of its college basketball
history. Now, Barton College is part of North Carolina's rich
basketball heritage.
I close by asking my colleagues to support this resolution. And I
again congratulate the Barton College Bulldogs for this great victory.
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield such time as he may
consume to my friend from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, first let me thank the gentleman from
Illinois for giving me this time to speak on this resolution today.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my friend, Congressman
Walter Jones, and me in recognizing and congratulating this year's NCAA
Division II men's college basketball champions from my hometown of
Wilson, North Carolina, Barton College.
As Congressman Jones said a moment ago, he and I share Wilson County.
And the campus is technically in my district, even though we both
legitimately hold claim to that great institution.
In one of the most exciting basketball games that I have ever seen in
my life, Mr. Speaker, the Barton College Bulldogs captured its first
national title after senior guard Anthony Atkinson scored his team's
final 10 points, including a layup at the buzzer, to rally Barton from
a 74-67 deficit with just 45 seconds remaining. The improbable come-
from-behind 77-75 victory was against a previously undefeated and
defending national champion, Winona State University.
Mr. Speaker, the game capped a tournament full of last-second heroics
for Barton College, as they won the semifinal game by one point on a
last-second freethrow, and the quarterfinal
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game on a buzzer-beating overtime three-pointer.
The tournament followed an equally exciting 31-5 season in which
Barton College became the first team in the history of the NCAA
basketball to win four consecutive overtime games. Throughout the
tournament and the season, the team showed heart, toughness and
tenacity and determination by finding ways to win no matter what the
circumstances were. They have had tremendous and deserved support from
a community that is so proud of this college and this team. As I was
leaving Wilson yesterday, I stopped by the BB&T branch on West 9th
Street and there was a large banner in front of the bank congratulating
the Bulldogs. We are so proud of this team, and we want our Nation to
know of our proud feeling for this team.
It is a great honor, therefore, Mr. Speaker, for me to recognize the
success, efforts and achievements of these outstanding young student
athletes, and their head coach, a great individual, Ron Lievense, and
his staff. Their hard work and dedication to team work is something
that we are all proud of in Wilson County and northeastern North
Carolina.
I ask my colleagues to rise and join me in paying tribute to the
Barton College basketball team.
Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
of my time.
Mr. HARE. 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. Hare) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 329.
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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