[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 29, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H7265-H7267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER TIM TEBOW

  Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 901) congratulating University of Florida 
Quarterback Timothy ``Tim'' Tebow for winning the Heisman Trophy and 
honoring both his athletic and academic achievements.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 901

       Whereas Tim Tebow was born on August 14, 1987, to Bob and 
     Pam Tebow;
       Whereas Tim Tebow's mother and father have instilled in him 
     the importance of giving and serving others;
       Whereas Tim Tebow has exhibited exemplary character, 
     kindness, and compassion rooted in his deep and abiding faith 
     in God;
       Whereas Tim Tebow has displayed a willingness to help those 
     less fortunate through his missionary work in the 
     Philippines;
       Whereas Tim Tebow has been an inspiration off the football 
     field by regularly visiting orphanages in the Philippines and 
     hospitals in the United States;
       Whereas Tim Tebow has maintained a 3.77 grade point average 
     at the University of Florida;
       Whereas Tim Tebow became only the fourth sophomore in the 
     history of the University of Florida to earn first-team 
     Academic All-American honors;
       Whereas Tim Tebow played an integral role in the University 
     of Florida's National Collegiate Athletic Association's 
     (NCAA) national championship football team in 2006;
       Whereas Tim Tebow threw for 29 touchdowns and ran for 22 
     touchdowns in the 2007 season;
       Whereas Tim Tebow became the first player in major college 
     football history to run for at least 20 touchdowns and pass 
     for at least 20 touchdowns in the same season;
       Whereas Tim Tebow's total of 51 touchdowns was a 
     Southeastern Conference record;
       Whereas Tim Tebow's 22 rushing touchdowns was also a new 
     conference record as well as a national collegiate record for 
     quarterbacks;
       Whereas Tim Tebow completed more than 68 percent of his 
     passing attempts for a total of 3,132 yards this season;
       Whereas Tim Tebow guided Florida to a 9-3 record as they 
     led the Southeastern Conference in scoring and total yardage; 
     and
       Whereas on December 8, 2007, Tim Tebow became the first and 
     only sophomore ever to win the Heisman Trophy, college 
     football's most coveted and prestigious award: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends Tim Tebow for his academic and athletic 
     accomplishments;
       (2) recognizes Tim Tebow's character and compassion toward 
     his fellow human beings;
       (3) congratulates Tim Tebow for his historic winning of the 
     2007 Heisman Trophy; and
       (4) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to University of Florida 
     President J. Bernard Machen and Head Football Coach Urban 
     Meyer for appropriate display.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hare) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Keller) 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 revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 901 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 as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate University of Florida 
quarterback Timothy ``Tim'' Tebow for winning the greatest recognition 
in college football, the Heisman Trophy, and to honor both his athletic 
and academic achievements.
  Tim Tebow received the Heisman Trophy on December 8, 2007 and became 
the first sophomore to ever win the Heisman.
  This award recognizes Tim Tebow's college football accomplishments 
and record-breaking season as he became the first player in college 
football history to run for at least 20 touchdowns and pass for at 
least 20 touchdowns in the same season. Tim set a new Southeastern 
Conference record with 51 total touchdowns in a single season. Rushing 
for 22 of those touchdowns, he set an all-time new national collegiate 
record for quarterbacks as well.
  Although his rushing abilities inspired spectators and left his 
opponents confounded, his strong arm also contributed to a stellar 
athletic performance. Tim completed more than 68 percent of his passing 
attempts for a total of 3,132 yards during the 2007 season. He led the 
University of the Florida to a 9-3 record and helped the Gators lead 
the conference in scoring and total yardage.
  Beyond the field, Tim Tebow has proven himself an astute student in 
the classroom. He has maintained a 3.77 grade point average while he 
has been at the University of Florida, and is only the fourth sophomore 
from the University of Florida to become a member of the Academic All-
American First Team.
  Tebow has exhibited exemplary character by carrying a torch of 
leadership off the football field to help those less fortunate. Tim has 
transcended simply being a football inspiration to his teammates and 
fans. He is also a philanthropic inspiration, regularly visiting 
orphanages and hospitals in the Philippines and the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I congratulate the University of the Florida 
quarterback, Tim Tebow, for an outstanding two years of athletic and 
academic performance. I urge all my colleagues to pass this important 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KELLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield as much 
time as he may consume to the Congressman from Florida (Mr. Crenshaw), 
who is the Congressman from the hometown of Tim Tebow, the author of 
this resolution, and a successful college athlete himself, I might add.

[[Page H7266]]

  Mr. CRENSHAW. I thank the gentleman for yielding the time.
  I am very proud and privileged to join with my colleagues from 
Florida to sponsor this resolution commending Tim Tebow for winning the 
Heisman. As has been pointed out, it's the most prestigious award in 
college football, and it's the first time a sophomore has ever been 
awarded this. They have been giving this award for over 70 years, and 
never has a sophomore won it, but of course never was there a Tim Tebow 
before this year.
  He has pointed out a lot of the statistics, the highlight I think is 
the fact that he is the first quarterback in major college football to 
throw for more than 20 touchdowns and also run for more than 20 
touchdowns. He went on the rest of the year to win the Sullivan Award, 
the Danny O'Brien Award and the Maxwell Award. He was voted the AP 
Player of the Year. But I would say to you that, in spite of all those 
great athletic achievements, his strength of character maybe surpasses 
his athletic ability.
  And just a word about Tim Tebow, the person, one of the reasons I'm 
so pleased to be here tonight is because his mom and dad, Pam and Bob 
Tebow, have been great friends of mine since we were together at the 
University of the Florida. I have watched Tim grow up. He is the 
youngest of five children. He has two older sisters, Katy and Christie, 
he's got two older brothers, Peter and Robbie. And when you grow up as 
the baby--even though he was a big baby, he was pretty competitive, 
looking after his big brothers and sisters. He worked on a farm. They 
live in Jacksonville, and he would go out and mow the lawn and pull 
weeds and fix the fence, and developed a pretty good sense of work 
ethic.
  I think he would say to you today, Tim Tebow, as I listen to him 
talk, one of the reasons he has been so successful in athletics is 
because he understands that there are things in life that are more 
important than football. And I think because of that perspective, it 
has made him a better individual and also a better football player. But 
as has been pointed out, he spends a great deal of his free time going 
back to the mission field with his dad to the Philippines, where they 
started an orphanage. When he has time, he will go to hospitals and 
visit with young people today, who maybe have serious injuries. He has 
been a real inspiration to them.
  And because of his deep and abiding faith in God, he sees his 
athletic ability as a platform so he can go into schools and go into 
prisons and go into churches and talk about his faith.
  So I would just say that I want to add my words of congratulations to 
Tim Tebow and to his family. And not only has he been a great football 
player, but he has exhibited a great strength of character. I urge all 
my colleagues to support this resolution honoring him for winning this 
most prestigious award.
  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve.

                              {time}  1830

  Mr. KELLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I rise today as a proud Floridian in support of House Resolution 901, 
congratulating Tim Tebow for winning the 2007 Heisman Memorial Trophy 
Award.
  Something miraculous happened when he got this award. He was the 
first sophomore in NCAA history to win the Heisman Trophy, and he joins 
a very elite group of three people from the University of Florida, all 
quarterbacks, to win the Heisman Trophy: Tim Tebow, Danny Wuerffel, and 
Steve Spurrier from my hometown of Johnson City, Tennessee.
  We are so proud of all that Mr. Tebow has accomplished, a class 
person as well as an athlete, and he had a lot of help from his Gator 
football team, which also won the National Championship in 2006 against 
Ohio State, as well as a great head coach, Urban Meyer; and a 
supportive university president, Dr. Bernie Machen.
  So we are very honored to be able to have this resolution before us 
today. I am happy to see my good friend and colleague Representative 
Crenshaw honoring this exceptional player and all his accomplishments. 
And we wish him continued success.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. KELLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 3 minutes 
to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 901, 
congratulating and recognizing Tim Tebow for his many athletic 
accomplishments, including winning the 2007 Heisman Trophy and his 
humanitarian and academic achievements.
  Before enrolling at my alma mater, the University of Florida, Tim 
spent three summers in the Philippines engaging in missionary work. He 
spent time at an orphanage listening to the stories of daily struggles 
that these children face and giving him the opportunity to be a guiding 
and positive influence in their lives. His example inspired UF football 
coach Urban Meyer to take a mission trip to the Dominican Republic 
earlier this month.
  His leadership on the football field began when he played quarterback 
at Nease High School in Ponte Verde and led the Nease Panthers to a 
State title in 2006. Tim joined the University of Florida Fighting 
Gator football team in 2006. He helped the Gators win the 2006 SEC 
championship as well as the BCS national championship that same season.
  During the 2007 season, Tim had an astounding total of 51 touchdowns, 
setting the SEC record. He became the first sophomore to ever win the 
Heisman Trophy last December. What makes his story even more incredible 
is that he did it all while maintaining a 3.77 grade point average, 
majoring in family, youth, and community sciences. Incredible.
  Madam Speaker, this young man has served as a great role model for 
students both at the University of Florida and throughout the Nation 
due to his exemplary character, his academic achievement, and his 
unparalleled achievements on the football field. He has said himself 
that his priorities, in order, are faith, family, academics, and 
football.
  It is with admiration that I rise today to honor his achievements by 
supporting this resolution.
  Go Gators.
  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, as an Illini fan, I feel a little bit 
encircled here, but I will continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KELLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, against my better judgment 
here, I am going to yield 1 minute to a Michigan Wolverine, the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton).
  Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I do rise this afternoon as a Michigan 
Wolverine, but in all seriousness, I want to praise Mr. Tebow. He's a 
great individual, a terrific athlete. The Wolverines enjoyed playing 
him. It was certainly the best bowl game of the year earlier this year. 
We wish him well in the future.
  I might just also add as a footnote, again as a Michigan Wolverine, 
we enjoyed Rex Grossman too. We beat him at least once or twice in bowl 
games in the past. The only thing that I don't like is that he now 
plays for the team that I do like, the Chicago Bears.
  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. KELLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to 
vote ``yes'' on this resolution honoring the historic accomplishment of 
Tim Tebow winning the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, just one quick note. This is a wonderful 
resolution for a wonderful young man, and nobody deserves it more than 
Tim Tebow. So I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the 
resolution.
  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of the 
University of Florida's finest student-athletes--the Gators great 
quarterback and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Tebow. As the 
Representative for the University of Florida, I am pleased to take this 
opportunity to commend a deserving young man who has, and continues to 
be, an inspiration to students, athletes, and sports fans across the 
country.
  Many know that Tim Tebow is an outstanding athlete and one of the 
best quarterbacks in the country. As a freshman, he was instrumental in 
helping the Gators win the

[[Page H7267]]

2006 national championship. This past season, Tim threw for 29 
touchdowns and ran for 22 touchdowns becoming the first player in major 
college football history to run and pass for over 20 touchdowns in the 
same season. Furthermore, Tim's total of 51 touchdowns was a 
Southeastern Conference record and his 22 rushing touchdowns also set a 
new conference record as well as a national collegiate record for 
quarterbacks. Tim's season culminated by becoming the first sophomore 
to win college football's most coveted and prestigious award, the 
Heisman Trophy.
  The University of Florida is now the only school in the SEC to have 
three Heisman winners and one of eight schools nationally to have three 
winners of the prestigious award.
  While his achievements on the field are well documented, what many 
people may not know is that Tim is also a dedicated student who 
consistently maintains a 3.77 grade point average at one of the 
Nation's top universities. This is no easy task. His classroom 
excellence earned Tim first-team Academic All-American honors, becoming 
only the fourth sophomore in UF history to earn this honor. Tim's 
ability to balance his commitments to both school and football is truly 
a testament to his exemplary character and his desire to succeed.
  Tim Tebow is a leader on and off the field. His parents have 
instilled in him a sense of community spirit and compassion for his 
fellow man, which is evident through his missionary work in the 
Philippines and his commitment to visiting hospitals across the U.S.
  The entire University of Florida community is fortunate to have a 
scholar-athlete like Tim representing the university both on and off 
the field. Each time he takes the field, Tim Tebow plays with passion 
for the game, for his teammates, and for the fans, reminding us why 
it's great to be a Florida Gator.
  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Tsongas). 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. 901.
  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.

                          ____________________