[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 14, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S398-S399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOOTBALL TEAM

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 13 and 
the Senate proceed to its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 13) congratulating the University of 
     Florida football team for winning the 2008 Bowl Championship 
     Series (BCS) national championship.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a Nelson of 
Florida amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to, the resolution, 
as amended, be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or 
debate, and that any statement relating to the resolution be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 22) was agreed to, as follows:

       On page 3, strike lines 11 through 18 and insert the 
     following:
       (A) President of the University of Florida, J. Bernard 
     Machen;
       (B) Athletic Director of the University of Florida, Jeremy 
     N. Foley; and
       (C) Head Coach of the University of Florida football team, 
     Urban Meyer.

  The resolution (S. Res. 13), as amended, was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, as amended, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 13

       Whereas on January 8, 2009, before a crowd of more than 
     78,000 fans in Miami, Florida, the University of Florida 
     Gators won the 2008 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) national 
     title with a stunning 24-14 triumph over the University of 
     Oklahoma Sooners;
       Whereas the University of Florida is one of the premier 
     academic institutions in the State of Florida;
       Whereas the University of Florida Gators captured the 
     Southeastern Conference championship title on December 6, 
     2008;

[[Page S399]]

       Whereas University of Florida football Head Coach Urban 
     Meyer has won two BCS national championship games in the past 
     3 years;
       Whereas University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was 
     named the Most Outstanding Player of the BCS national title;
       Whereas Tim Tebow won the Maxwell Award for the second time 
     in 2 years;
       Whereas the University of Florida defense held the 
     University of Oklahoma to only 363 yards of offense in the 
     BCS championship game;
       Whereas the Gators finished 2008 ranked first in the 
     Associated Press Poll and first in the Coaches Poll;
       Whereas the Gators finished the 2008 season with a record 
     of 13-1;
       Whereas the University of Florida student athletes are 
     among the most talented in the Nation;
       Whereas University of Florida fans worldwide supported and 
     encouraged the Gators throughout the football season;
       Whereas University of Florida President J. Bernard Machen 
     and Athletic Director Jeremy N. Foley have shown great 
     leadership in bringing success and glory to the University of 
     Florida; and
       Whereas the University of Florida students, faculty, 
     alumni, and all Gator fans are deeply committed to bringing 
     pride to the University of Florida and the entire State of 
     Florida: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the University of Florida Gators for 
     winning the 2008 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) national 
     championship;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, 
     students, and staff whose hard work and dedication helped the 
     University of Florida Gators win the championship; and
       (3) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) President of the University of Florida, J. Bernard 
     Machen;
       (B) Athletic Director of the University of Florida, Jeremy 
     N. Foley; and
       (C) Head Coach of the University of Florida football team, 
     Urban Meyer.

                          ____________________