[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 13, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H3714-H3715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY ON WINNING THE 2008 DIVISION II 
                     MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. WALZ of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1133) congratulating Winona State 
University on winning the 2008 Division II men's basketball 
championships, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1133

       Whereas on March 29, 2008, the Winona State University 
     Warriors of Winona, Minnesota, won the 2008 National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II National 
     Basketball Championship with a victory over Georgia's Augusta 
     State University, with a score of 87-76 in Springfield, 
     Massachusetts;
       Whereas Jonte Flowers was named the 2008 NCAA Division II 
     Elite Eight Tournament's Most Outstanding Player for his 
     performance throughout the tournament;
       Whereas Jonte Flowers also holds the NCAA Division II 
     record for player career steals, with 414;
       Whereas the Warriors finished the 2008 season with a record 
     of 38-1, an NCAA Division II record for most victories in a 
     season by an NCAA men's basketball team;
       Whereas over the past 3 years, the team's overall record is 
     an impressive 105-6;
       Whereas the senior class, which includes John Smith, Jonte 
     Flowers, Quincy Henderson, Shane Neiss, and Brent Riese, 
     accrued a record of 129-17 in their 4 years of play together 
     at Winona State University;
       Whereas John Smith was named the NCAA Division II Player of 
     the Year by four separate organizations, which include 2 
     consecutive years of recognition from Basketball Times and 
     DII Bulletin, as well as the National Association of 
     Basketball Coaches, for his outstanding performance 
     throughout the year;
       Whereas John Smith also holds the NCAA Division II record 
     for consecutive starts, with 146;
       Whereas the Winona State University Warriors men's 
     basketball team boasts two national titles from 2006 and 
     2008, three straight North Central Region titles from 2006, 
     2007, and 2008, four straight regular season championships, 
     and three straight conference tournament championships;
       Whereas head coach Mike Leaf has been named the Northern 
     Sun Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year four times 
     and National Coach of the Year two times; and
       Whereas in 2006 and 2007, the team broke the NCAA Division 
     II consecutive win record by winning 57 straight games: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the Winona State University Warriors for 
     winning the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association 
     Division II Basketball National Championship; and
       (2) recognizes Bryce Welch, Brad Meyer, Travis Whipple, 
     Quincy Henderson, Curtrel Robinson, Ben Fischer, Brent Riese, 
     Jonte Flowers, David Johnson, Jon Walburg, Luke Doedens, Max 
     Hintz, Josh Korth, Matt Smith, Shane Neiss, Ryan Gargaro, 
     John Smith, Mike Muller, head coach Mike Leaf, and all other 
     coaches and support staff who were instrumental in this 
     achievement.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Walz) and the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WALZ of Minnesota. I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 
legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any 
extraneous material on House Resolution 1133.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Minnesota?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WALZ of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I 
may consume.
  Today we're here to congratulate a basketball team at Winona State 
University, but I think it's important to put it into the greater 
context of what our young people are doing here.
  I'll talk a little bit in just a minute about the great 
accomplishments of what this team did, but I think it's equally 
important to understand the institution that they're coming from. 
Winona State University is in the town of Winona, Minnesota. That's on 
the western bank of the Mississippi River.
  Winona State University was founded at the same time as the State of 
Minnesota was founded. We're celebrating our sesquicentennial in the 
North Star State this year. And Winona State University was the first 
teachers college

[[Page H3715]]

west of the Mississippi River. That institution, that public 
institution of higher learning has fulfilled its calling and its 
mission for the last 150 years, at the highest quality of achievement 
that we could ask for. I congratulate President Judith Ramaley for her 
work. I also congratulate Vice President Jim Schmidt. He's the Vice 
President of Advancement.
  There are some things going on at Winona State University, like the 
National Child Protection Training Center, the work they're doing 
educating our teachers, nurses, law enforcement officials that I think 
are equally as important.
  But I think it's important to understand that in a well-balanced 
education like our student athletes are getting at Winona State 
University, stressing the extra-curriculars and the teamwork that goes 
to that, and the striving for excellence is important, so I'd like to 
talk just a bit about this time.
  A little over a month ago, during our own March Madness in Minnesota, 
Winona State defeated Augusta State 87-76. This was the second national 
championship in the last 3 years, and three straight trips to the 
national championship. We're really proud of this dynasty that's being 
developed amongst these student athletes.
  In addition to their national championship, they've won nine 
conference titles in a row. They've also won three straight Northern 
Sun Intercollegiate Conference titles.
  In 2006 and 2007 they broke the Division II record of 57 straight 
victories. In 2008 the Warriors finished with a record of 38-1, an NCAA 
Division II record. Over the past 3 years, their record is 105-6.
  Five seniors have been together throughout this entire run, and they 
should be congratulated. They'll all be graduating this year, and I'd 
like to congratulate each one of them individually. John Smith, Jonte 
Flowers, Quincy Henderson, Shane Neiss and Brent Riese. Together, those 
five individuals compiled a 129-17 record in 4 years.
  Of course all of this wouldn't be possible without the leadership of 
coach Mike Leaf, who's done an outstanding job of working with the 
character as well as the accomplishments of these fine young athletes. 
I'm extremely proud to have Winona State University in the district 
that I represent; extremely proud of the student athletes that 
represent Southern Minnesota so well.
  I ask today for, hopefully, unanimous consent from my colleagues to 
recognize them on this great achievement.
  I would also make, as a side note, Winona State boasts some famous 
alumnas. One of them is my colleague on the minority side, Mrs. 
Bachmann, and we're very proud to have her here, and Winona State for 
producing our Congresswoman from up in the Sixth District.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank and congratulate the gentleman from 
Minnesota with respect to Winona State University's great year and 
great record over the last 3 years.
  By sort of coincidence, I happened to watch part of this game on 
television, I think the last half of the game, and they had a 
remarkable comeback as they beat the Augusta State University team. 
They are really a superb basketball team.
  I had the pleasure of playing a little bit of Division III basketball 
many years ago. And either basketball's improved tremendously in those 
intervening years, or Division II is a heck of a lot better than 
Division III. These guys could really play basketball, and they were 
extremely impressive in terms of what they did.
  I also congratulate the young men for their academic prowess. This is 
a college of some distinction. For that, they and all administrators 
deserve congratulations as well. We congratulate the head coach, Mike 
Leaf, who was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference coach 
of the year four times, and national coach of the year two times.
  This is a team which has won two national titles and three straight 
North Central Region titles from 2006, 2007 and 2008, and four straight 
regular season championships and three straight conference tournament 
championships. Not many teams at any level of sports can make claims 
such as that.
  The college, as the sponsor has indicated, is a significant 
institution in Minnesota, and does a wonderful job in its programs 
preparing young people for the rest of their lives.
  We congratulate the President, Judith Ramaley, and the Athletic 
Director, Larry Holstad, the head coach, as I've indicated, and all the 
friends and supporters of a fine university which had a tremendous year 
this year in basketball. But just recognizing the tremendous school 
which they are and for which they deserve great credit.
  I urge everybody to support the resolution, and I yield back the 
balance of our time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Walz) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1133, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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