[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 11, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H7625-H7627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING THE APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM FOR WINNING
THE 2006 NCAA DIVISION I-AA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 210) commending the Appalachian State
University football team for winning the 2006 National Collegiate
Athletic Association Division I-AA Football Championship, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 210
Whereas on December 15, 2006, the Appalachian State
University football team (referred to in this preamble as the
``Mountaineers'') defeated the University of Massachusetts
football team by a score of 28-17, to win the 2006 National
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I-AA Football
Championship;
Whereas the Mountaineers were successful due to the
leadership of Coach Jerry Moore, and in great part to the
spectacular play of Most Valuable Player Kevin Richardson,
who scored all 4 touchdowns, and to Corey Lynch, whose fourth
quarter interception helped seal the victory;
Whereas the championship victory was the pinnacle of a
remarkable season for the Mountaineers, who ended the season
with a 14-1 record;
Whereas the Mountaineers' offense was led by Southern
Conference Freshman of the Year Armanti Edwards, who rushed
for over 1,000 yards and passed for over 2,000 yards, and
accounted for 30 touchdowns in his first season;
Whereas the success of the Mountaineers' offense is
attributed to Kevin Richardson, who rushed for over 1,000
yards, William Mayfield, who had over 1,000 yards receiving,
and the impenetrable offensive line, who made it possible for
those amazing statistics to occur;
Whereas the Mountaineers' intimidating defense was led by
Marques Murell, Jeremy Wiggins, Monte Smith, and Corey Lynch;
Whereas the Mountaineers were undefeated in conference
games through the 2006 season and are the champions of the
Southern Conference for the second year in a row;
Whereas Appalachian State University affirmed its position
as a dominant football program by securing its second
consecutive national championship;
Whereas in 2005, Appalachian State University became the
first team from North Carolina to win an NCAA football
championship with a 21-16 victory over Northern Iowa;
Whereas the members of the 2006 Appalachian State
University football team are excellent representatives of a
fine university that is a leader in higher education,
producing many fine student-athletes and other leaders;
Whereas the Mountaineers showed tremendous dedication to
each other, appreciation to their fans, sportsmanship to
their opponents, and respect for the game of football
throughout the 2006 season; and
Whereas residents of the Old North State and Appalachian
State University fans everywhere are to be commended for
their long-standing support, perseverance, and pride in the
team: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the champion Appalachian State University
football team for their historic win in the 2006 National
Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-AA Football
Championship;
(2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches,
students, alumni, and support staff who were instrumental in
helping Appalachian State University win the championship;
and
(3) directs the Clerk of the House to transmit copies of
this resolution to Appalachian State University Chancellor
Kenneth Peacock and head coach Jerry Moore for appropriate
display.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms.
Foxx) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky.
General Leave
Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days during which to insert material relevant to H.
Res. 210 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Kentucky?
There was no objection.
Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mr. YARMUTH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Appalachian
State University for winning the 2006 NCAA Division I-AA Football
National Championship.
On December 15, 2006, the Appalachian State University Mountaineers
captured their second consecutive NCAA Division I-AA Football National
Championship by defeating the University of Massachusetts Minutemen by
a score of 28-17.
[[Page H7626]]
I want to extend my congratulations to Mountaineer head coach Jerry
Moore, Chancellor Kenneth Peacock, the student athletes and fans for a
national championship and a 14-1 season.
I also want to extend my congratulations to the University of
Massachusetts and their student athletes for a great season. The
Minutemen finished their season with a record of 13 wins with only two
losses for the year.
The Mountaineers achieved some amazing accomplishments in 2006. The
team won the Southern Conference for the second year in a row; six
players were named Associated Press All Americans; Armanti Edwards was
named Southern Conference Freshman of the Year; and Coach Jerry Moore
was named the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year.
Madam Speaker, I once again commend and congratulate the Appalachian
State University Mountaineers for their dedication and success.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 210,
congratulating the Appalachian State University football team for
winning the 2006 NCAA Division I-AA National Collegiate Athletic
Association Championship.
It's my honor today to recognize the tenacity, sportsmanship and
national championship victory of the Appalachian State University
football team. The ASU Mountaineers won their second straight NCAA
Division I Football National Championship in a 28-17 victory over
Massachusetts this past season. Powered by the record-breaking, four
touchdown performance of junior running back Kevin Richardson, and the
stellar leadership of Head Coach Jerry Moore, ASU has solidified its
place among the best of America's college football teams.
In their championship performance, the Mountaineers rushed for 285
yards, with Richardson racking up 179 of those yards. His four-
touchdown performance also broke the NCAA Division I Football
Championship Subdivision single season record with 30 rushing
touchdowns in 15 games. Richardson, who is the Southern Conference
Offensive Player of the Year, finished the season with 1,676 yards
rushing, a new ASU record.
In a testament to ASU's remarkable championship season, Head Coach
Jerry Moore was named the American Football Coaches' Association
Division I-AA Coach of the Year. Moore was also named the Southern
Conference Coach of the Year for a record fifth time.
Coach Moore's been at ASU for 18 years, and last year may have been
his best year yet. Despite a 23-10 loss in the season opener at NC
State, he led ASU to a 14-game winning streak crowned by their national
championship win. Their record-breaking winning streak found the
Mountaineers dominating opponents by an average margin of victory of
22.6 points.
During his time at Appalachian, Moore has amassed an impressive 154-
68 record, which sets him apart as the winningest coach in Southern
Conference history.
The 2006 season was a remarkable time for the Mountaineers, and not
surprisingly, the team is overflowing with accomplishments. Eight ASU
players were named All Americans, and 19 were All Conference
selections.
ASU players also made a clean sweep of the Southern Conference's
post-season awards. Offensive Player of the Year went to Kevin
Richardson. Marques Murrell took home Defensive Player of the Year.
Kerry Brown won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, and Armanti Edwards
captured the Freshman of the Year honor.
Edwards led the Mountaineers to 13 victories as a freshman
quarterback and was the second freshman and fifth player overall in
Division I history to tally 2,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards
in a season.
ASU's 14-game winning streak and 14-1 overall record set school
records for wins in a season and consecutive victories. ASU now holds
the Nation's longest Division I football winning streak at 14 games. In
addition to having the longest overall winning streak in Division I,
the Mountaineers also hold the longest home winning streak in the
football championship subdivision at 27 straight games.
I'm so proud to be an alumnus and to represent Appalachian State
University in Congress and to once again recognize its accomplishments
on and off the playing field. It was just over a year ago that I had
the honor of recognizing the Mountaineers as the 2005 NCAA Division I-
AA football national champions. Their repeat national championship
performance this past season is a clear instance of the value of hard
work and integrity.
I applaud the players and coaches who are receiving their due
recognition for another fantastic season. I especially want to
compliment Coach Moore for his strong faith and his open expression of
his faith. He and his assistant coaches are excellent role models for
the players and students they lead.
Two national championships in as many years is reason to celebrate.
I'm pulling for a third championship in 2007 and a third opportunity to
honor these fine players and coaches on the floor of the House of
Representatives.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to
the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble).
Mr. COBLE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and
in December of 2005, the day after Appalachian was crowned I-AA champs
of intercollegiate football, I spoke on this House floor and said, The
frigid and unforgiving winds that normally blow across the Blue Ridge
Mountains during the months of winter are blowing less brutally and
less severely today for, on this day, I said, these winds sweep across
the campus of Appalachian State University, home of the National I-AA
champs of intercollegiate football.
That speech, Madam Speaker, is applicable today because as my friend,
Ms. Foxx, indicated, the Mountaineers repeated as national champs last
December, and those same Blue Ridge winds were as refreshing in 2006 as
they were in 2005, and hopefully, as Ms. Foxx said, they will be
equally refreshing in December of 2007.
Over a century ago, Madam Speaker, a small teachers' college was
founded in rural Appalachia. Then, Boone was a sleepy Blue Ridge
hamlet; the Appalachian campus equally sleepy.
{time} 1945
Now this campus has awakened.
Appalachian State University is recognized as one of the sterling
jewels in North Carolina's higher education crown. It is recognized as
well as the home of America's reigning I-AA champions of
intercollegiate football, the Appalachian State Mountaineers.
Best wishes to Chancellor Peacock, Coach Moore and the entire
Appalachian family.
Again, I thank the gentlelady from North Carolina for handling this
resolution.
Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to
the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes).
Mr. HAYES. I thank the gentlelady.
Let me just simply say that Congresswoman Foxx and Congressman Coble
have done a fine job of outlining the accomplishments, which are
absolutely remarkable, of the Appalachian Mountaineers.
As a point of personal privilege, since my son-in-law is the wide
receivers coach there, I want to add my congratulations, that my son-
in-law, daughter and grandchildren are very much part of the
Appalachian theme in Boone, which is a tribute to athletics and
scholarship. People should gather, do things that we really care about
and make a difference in peoples' lives.
The seniors on this team never lost a home game the whole time, the 4
years that they were at Appalachian. Again it's about scholarship, it's
about participation, it's about sportsmanship and these men and women,
because a lot of men and women involved were a true tribute to the type
of sportsmanship and scholarship that we all aspire to.
My congratulations to the twice champions and soon-to-be three-time
champion Appalachian Mountaineers.
Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
[[Page H7627]]
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I simply want to end by saying
congratulations to Appalachian State University. Go Mountaineers.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I also want to close by congratulating
the entire Appalachian State University family.
I urge my colleagues to pass H. Res. 210.
Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to sincerely congratulate the
Appalachian State University football team for winning the 2006
National Collegiate for the second year in a row, Athletic Association
Division I-AA Football championship.
December 15, 2006, marked a historic day for this university as the
Appalachian State University football team defeated the University of
Massachusetts 28-17 to win the championship.
Most Valuable Player Kevin Richardson's four touchdowns and Corey
Lynch's fourth-quarter interception, all under the direction of Coach
Jerry Moore, secured the road to victory crowning the remarkable season
for the Mountaineers. An intimidating defense led by Marques Murell,
Jeremy Wiggins, Monte Smith, and Corey Lynch, complemented by a high-
powered offense led by Richardson, who rushed for over 1,000 yards, and
William Mayfield, who had over 1,000 yards receiving, and an
impenetrable offensive line, made it possible for this championship to
occur.
Undefeated in conference games and champions of the Southern
Conference for the second year in a row, Appalachian State University
affirmed its position as a dominant football program by securing its
second consecutive national championship. Not only have they become
great sportsmen, but they have consistently showed great dedication to
each other, continued sportsmanship to their opponents, gratitude to
their unwavering fans and respect for the sport itself.
I am proud of the 2006 Appalachian State University football team for
bringing the championship home to western North Carolina. These student
athletes are excellent representatives of a fine university and have
contributed to its long history of excellence and achievement.
Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 210, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________