[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 107 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H6147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING FRESNO STATE'S WINNING THE COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Nunes) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my good friend from 
California (Mr. Costa) to recognize something very important that 
happened in the San Joaquin Valley, for all the people of the San 
Joaquin Valley, and that is that yesterday the Fresno State Bulldogs 
won the college series. This is very special for all of us.
  At this time, I yield to my good friend, the distinguished gentleman 
from California, an alumnus of Fresno State, Mr. Costa.
  Mr. COSTA. I thank the gentleman from California, a colleague, a good 
friend and an avid supporter of the California State University of 
Fresno, as we all are in the Valley delegation.
  Mr. Speaker, we are proud to recognize the Fresno State baseball 
team, the Bulldogs, the Bulldogs on the West Coast, on their victory of 
the University of Georgia last night, the other Bulldogs, to claim the 
2008 National Collegiate Athletic Division Championship I-A Baseball 
National Champions. Obviously, as my good friend Congressman Nunes 
indicated, I am a proud alumnus today.
  The Dogs came into the tournament as the fourth seeded team and along 
the way beat Rice University, had two big wins over the University of 
North Carolina, and they are the first number four seed to reach the 
finals of the NCAA championship in any sport. It is truly historic in 
collegiate athletics. They went from the underdogs to the wonder dogs, 
and they accomplished this after spending over 40 straight days away 
from home. Leaving Fresno on May 14, they finally came home today.
  They won five elimination games, including a 19-10 win over Georgia 
during the championship series.
  This team was a pure joy to watch on the field. We saw outstanding 
defensive plays, 15 home runs by the offense, and they had American 
riveted to their televisions and radios to hear them win last night's 
game. It was an exciting month for anyone who is attached to the 
University or our San Joaquin Valley, or those who just happens to love 
our Nation's pastime, baseball.
  The character, camaraderie, preparation, and ultimately the 
performance and success of the team flows from their head coach Mike 
Batesole and his wonderful staff. This year he was chosen 2008 
Collegiate Coach of the Year in baseball.
  One unique thing about this team is that every player is from 
California. In fact, many of the players come from surrounding 
communities; in my colleagues' districts, Nunes, Radanovich, and 
Cardoza, and the like, they came from Clovis, Hanford, Bakersfield, and 
Turlock. Fresno State athletics takes pride in recruiting local talent 
from high schools and junior colleges.
  These young men are models for student athletes around the Nation. 
Seven seniors and one junior will graduate within nine semesters. Steve 
Susdorf was given the Western Athletic Conference All-Academic awards 
four times in his career with the Bulldogs. These classroom 
accomplishments should be commended. These are truly student athletes 
at their finest.
  There were five Bulldogs who made this year's College World Series 
All-Tournament Team. They are Erik Wetzel, Steve Susdorf, Steve 
Detwiler, Justin Wilson, and Tommy Mendonca. Congratulations to them.
  Tommy Mendonca from Turlock was also named the Collegiate World 
Series Most Outstanding Player, and was recently named to the 2008 
National Collegiate Team. He comes from strong Portuguese Valley roots, 
and we enjoyed watching him play.
  Finally, we again want to congratulate the Fresno State team on a 
season well played. We tip our hat to the University of Georgia for an 
outstanding series, and all the teams that played this season.
  Mr. NUNES. As you can see, Mr. Costa is a very proud alumni, Mr. 
Speaker. Also, I would be mistaken not to mention my chief of staff, 
Johnny Amaral, is also a proud alumni of Fresno State. I know that he 
was really rooting for the team. This is going to be a very important 
victory for the San Joaquin Valley tonight. I know they are going to be 
welcomed home by probably thousands of fans in Fresno; and I know that 
Mr. Costa and I can't wait to hopefully greet the team here and invite 
them to our Nation's capital and possibly even get a White House visit.
  Does my colleague have anything else?
  Mr. COSTA. I just want to thank the gentleman for yielding. We want 
to congratulate all of those who are a part of the University and these 
fine students athletes for a job well done.
  Mr. NUNES. Thank you.

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