[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 21, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H405-H407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA GATORS FOR WINNING BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP 
                   SERIES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 58) commending the University of Florida Gators 
for winning the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                               H. Res. 58

       Whereas, on January 8, 2009, the University of Florida 
     Gators defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 24-14 in the Bowl 
     Championship Series National Championship Game in Miami, 
     Florida;
       Whereas the Gators have become one of the premier athletic 
     and academic institutions in the country;
       Whereas this BCS National Championship is the University of 
     Florida's 22nd national championship in all sports;
       Whereas the Gators' victory over Oklahoma was the third 
     football national title for the University of Florida and the 
     second in the past three seasons, the others being won in 
     1996 and 2007;
       Whereas the Gators are the fourth school in the modern era 
     to win two outright national titles in three years;
       Whereas the Gators improved their BCS Championship game 
     record to 2-0;
       Whereas Florida made its 18th-straight bowl appearance to 
     extend their current school record, the longest active streak 
     by a Southeastern Conference (SEC) team representing the 
     second-longest in the Nation;
       Whereas the Gators finished the 2008 season with a 13-1 
     record, matching the single-season school record for wins 
     (also 13-1 in 2006);
       Whereas the Gators become the second team in the 11-year 
     history of the BCS to win two titles;
       Whereas the Gators' victory is the fifth BCS championship 
     for the SEC;
       Whereas head coach Urban Meyer became only the fifth coach 
     since 1936 to win two national championships in his first 
     four seasons at a school;
       Whereas Coach Meyer becomes the fifth active Division I 
     coach with multiple national titles;
       Whereas Coach Meyer became the 14th youngest head coach to 
     win a pair of national titles since 1950;
       Whereas the Gators' quarterback Tim Tebow was named the 
     game's Most Valuable Player, with 340 yards of total offense, 
     the third-best pass-rush total in a BCS Championship game;
       Whereas Tim Tebow showed why he is one of the most 
     versatile quarterbacks in college football history by 
     completing 18 of 30 passes for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns and 
     rushing for 109 yards, the third highest ground total by a 
     quarterback in a BCS title game;
       Whereas Tim Tebow became only the 5th player since 1950 to 
     win two national titles and a Heisman Trophy;
       Whereas Percy Harvin, after returning from an ankle injury, 
     ran nine times for 122 yards and a touchdown, marking the 
     third-best rushing total in a BCS Championship game, caught 
     five passes for 49 yards, and proved once again to be the 
     fastest player on the field;
       Whereas Tebow and Harvin became the first set of teammates 
     to each rush for 100 yards or more in the same BCS National 
     Championship game;
       Whereas the Gators' defense shut down the highest-scoring 
     team in modern football history and held Oklahoma to only 14 
     points and 363 total yards, 40 points and 199 yards below the 
     Sooners' season average;
       Whereas Florida's defense held Sooner quarterback and 
     Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford to 256 passing yards, his 
     third-lowest of the season and his first two-interception 
     game since October 11, 2008;
       Whereas the Gators' players and coaches football team 
     represent the University of Florida and the State of Florida 
     with honor and integrity; and
       Whereas residents of Florida and Gator fans worldwide are 
     to be commended for their longstanding support, perseverance, 
     and pride in the team: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the University of Florida Gators for winning 
     the Bowl Championship Series National Championship;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, 
     students, and support staff who were instrumental in the 
     victory; and
       (3) 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 coach Urban Meyer for 
     appropriate display.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Mr. Stearns 
from Florida control the time on this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Iowa.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during 
which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on 
H. Res. 58 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Iowa?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
University of Florida football team for their victory in the 2009 NCAA 
FedEx BCS National Championship game.
  On January 8, football fans all across the country were treated to an 
exceptional game as the University of Florida Gators defeated the 
University of Oklahoma Sooners and clinched their third national title.
  Defeating a tough Oklahoma Sooners team by a score of 24-14, the 
Florida Gators became the fourth straight second-ranked team to defeat 
the number one team in the Nation in the BCS National Championship.
  The University of Florida serves as a premier academic institution, 
and is now emerging as an athletic powerhouse. The school has fielded 
22 national championship teams, with the last four coming from the 
men's football and basketball teams.
  This year's football team finished the season with a 13-1 record, 
matching the single season school record for wins. The outstanding 
players and coaches produced a great season, winning numerous awards 
and praise throughout the country.
  I would also like to congratulate Tim Tebow, the game's most valuable 
player. He threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 109 
yards. His 340 yards of total offense was the third best pass-rush 
total in BCS Championship history. He won the Heisman Trophy Award last 
year, and is a leader for his team.
  And congratulations to Percy Harvin, one of the most electric and 
skilled athletes in America. Harvin rushed for 122 yards and caught 
five passes for 49 yards.

                              {time}  1345

  This was quite a feat after returning to play from a devastating 
ankle injury last month.

[[Page H406]]

  Averaging 50 points per game, Florida's defense held the University 
of Oklahoma's offense to just 14 points. The hard work of the 
outstanding defense and coaching staff clearly paid off.
  And, finally, I want to extend my congratulations to Head Coach Urban 
Meyer. In only 4 years with the team, he has brought incredible 
success. Meyer became the fifth coach since 1936 to win two National 
Championships in his first four seasons as a head coach. He is the 14th 
youngest head coach to win a pair of national titles since 1950. His 
leadership and commitment to this team have given him fame and a place 
in college football history.
  The extraordinary achievement of this team is a tribute to the skill 
and dedication of many players, coaches, students, alumni, families, 
and fans that have helped to make the University of Florida a premier 
football program. Winning the National Championship, finishing the 
season with a 13-1 overall record, and leading the SEC to another 
championship has brought national acclaim to the University of Florida. 
I know the fans of the university will revel in this accomplishment as 
they look forward to the 2009 season. And they should. After all, Tim 
Tebow, an inspiration for fellow college athletes, will return for his 
senior year in the hopes of leading his team to their fourth National 
Championship.
  Once again I congratulate the University of Florida football team for 
their success.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I thank my colleague from Iowa for his generous comments, for his 
very perspicuous and insightful observations and his personal 
commendation, particularly in light of the fact that now I have the 
great honor to represent the University of Florida. And I stand today 
with a great deal of humility because I have been on this floor a 
couple times before obviously when they won the national basketball 
championship, that is this National Championship twice, and they have 
won now this second football National Championship, twice in 3 years. 
So I am very, very honored to represent the university and to ask my 
colleagues obviously to consider this resolution.
  On the evening of January 8, the Florida Gators won their second BCS 
National Championship title, two in the past 3 years. But, my 
colleagues, they faced a very tough opponent: the Oklahoma Sooners. I 
think we all know how powerful a football program that is. We had our 
star quarterback, as mentioned by the gentleman from Iowa, Tim Tebow. 
He led the way and the Gators won the game 24-14. The Gators' defense 
was able to hold Oklahoma, the highest-scoring team in modern football 
history, to only 14 points and 363 yards. This was 40 points and 199 
yards below their season average. Furthermore, my colleagues, Florida's 
defense held the Sooner quarterback, and this is the same quarterback 
that was the Heisman Trophy winner, Sam Bradford, to the third lowest 
number of passing yards of the season and his first two-interception 
game since October.
  On offense, as mentioned, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow showed why he 
is the best dual threat quarterback in college football by finishing 
with 231 passing yards and 109 yards of rushing, the third highest 
ground total by a quarterback in a BCS title game. Mr. Tebow is also 
just the fifth player since 1950 to win two national titles and the 
Heisman Trophy. Gators wide receiver/running back Percy Harvin was also 
instrumental in the Gators' victory over the Sooners by running nine 
times for 122 yards, catching five passes for 49 yards, and scoring a 
touchdown himself. Together, Tebow and Harvin made history by becoming 
the first set of teammates to each rush for 100 yards or more in the 
same BCS National Championship game.
  With back-to-back basketball championships, 2006 and 2007, along with 
national football titles in 1996, 2007, and 2009, it's clear why the 
city of Gainesville is now called the ``City of Champions.''
  While the University of Florida clearly has an outstanding athletic 
program, I would be remiss today if I didn't mention a few of the 
university's notable academic accomplishments. The University of 
Florida is one of the four largest universities in the United States 
and is also one of the largest research universities, housing more than 
150 research centers and institutes. It's been the recipient of 
hundreds of millions of dollars in research grants and is home to the 
world's largest citrus research center. UF is also currently partnering 
with Spain to create the world's largest telescope, which will be 
located in the Canary Islands. The university's latest endeavor is the 
building of a brand new 50,000-square-foot research center which will 
focus on treatment and cures for diabetes, cancer, and genetic 
research.
  Now, notably, the University of Florida contributes almost $6 billion 
each year to Florida's economy and is responsible for the creation of 
75,000 jobs.
  And, finally, my colleagues, I am proud to report the University of 
Florida has been ranked 5th among all the universities in the Nation by 
Kiplinger's magazine's ``Top 100 Public Colleges,'' with the 
university's 2005 incoming freshmen class having an average of over a 
4.0 GPA and a 1306 SAT score. UF is also proud to have a high number of 
scholar athletes on its campus, and this is very impressive, boasting 
an 89 percent graduation success rate for all of its athletes.
  So today, Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to congratulate Coach Urban 
Meyer and all the Gator football players and coaches for their 
incredible accomplishments and for representing the University of 
Florida and the State of Florida with honor and integrity. It's been a 
continuous honor to represent this fine university in the United States 
House of Representatives.
  I would like to conclude by commending the University of Florida for 
being one of the premier athletic and academic institutions in the 
country and to thank all the Gator fans worldwide for their 
longstanding support and pride in their team, and I look forward to 
more exciting football and basketball seasons, particularly football. 
Go Gators.
  Mr. MICA. Madam Speaker, I wanted to join others in congratulating 
the University of Florida on winning the recent National College 
Football Championship. As a 1967 graduate of the university, I am proud 
of the athletic accomplishments of my alma mater. Fellow Gators have 
much to be proud of in the many achievements and honors gained by 
students, faculty, staff and graduates of this great institution of 
higher learning.
  While we salute this athletic win it is important that our 
university, the State of Florida and all those interested and 
supportive of quality education programs work together to improve and 
restore our College of Education Historic Norman Hall. As a graduate of 
the U.F. College of Education, I urge our State legislature and 
Congress to aid in renovation of this principal building and center of 
our College of Education. While numerous other colleges have restored 
important campus structures Norman Hall remains neglected. If one of 
our major institutions devoted to training educational professionals 
remains in tatters how can we accommodate the faculty, staff and future 
quality teachers for our State and Nation?
  So let's not sit on our athletic laurels but recommit to winning one 
for quality education at the University of Florida and go Gators!
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 58, 
commending the University of Florida Gators for winning the Bowl 
Championship Series National Championship Game. As a loyal Gator fan 
since I was a child, I can remember sitting at the kitchen table and 
talking about how wonderful it would be for the Gators to just win a 
Southeast Conference title. We accomplished that feat. Then, in 1996, 
our football team won their first national championship. The momentum 
hasn't stopped since we won it again in 2006 and 2008.
  The University of Florida was founded in 1853. Fifty-three years 
later, their football program was born. Since the team's inception, 
they have played in 34 bowl games, won eight Southeast Conference 
titles, and produced three Heisman Trophy winners.
  Florida's most recent Heisman Trophy winner, quarterback Tim Tebow, 
made numerous influential plays leading the Gators past the University 
of Oklahoma by a score of 24 to 14 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami. He was 
named most valuable player of the game.

[[Page H407]]

  I would also like to recognize and congratulate the Gators' head 
coach, Urban Meyer. Coach Meyer became Florida's head football coach in 
2005. This past year, he led the Gators to a 13 and 1 season, bringing 
them their second national championship in three years. Mr. Meyer is 
the first coach in school history to win two BCS championship games.
  The University of Florida has proven itself both on the football 
field and in the classroom. It is on the cutting edge for research and 
technology. The university is currently home to 17 colleges and more 
than 150 research centers, educating and training future generations of 
Americans.
  As one of our Nation's largest research institutions, the University 
of Florida is also making great contributions to our economy. It is 
estimated that it contributes $6 billion annually to Florida's economy 
and is responsible for producing an astounding 75,000 jobs.
  Madam Speaker, I am certainly proud to call the University of Florida 
my alma mater. I congratulate them on yet another national championship 
victory, and I look forward to watching their continued success 
athletically, academically, and economically.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 58.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, as a proud University of 
Florida alumna who bleeds orange and blue, I am delighted to be an 
original cosponsor of H. Res. 58, Commending the University of Florida 
Gators for winning the 2008 Bowl Championship Series National 
Championship Game.
  The University of Florida Gators football team squarely defeated the 
Oklahoma Sooners 24-14. This tremendous victory is nothing but 
extraordinary on all counts. The Gators' win over Oklahoma was the 
third football national title for the University of Florida and the 
second in the past three seasons.
  This victory makes the University of Florida the fourth school in the 
modem era to win two outright national collegiate athletics title in 
three years. Additionally, Gators' quarterback Tim Tebow was named the 
game's Most Valuable Player, with 340 yards of total offense, the 
third-best pass-rush total in a BCS Championship game.
  While this victory is among the many reasons to be proud of the 
University of Florida, I am most proud of that the excellence of its 
academic, athletic, and research programs is beyond compare. It is both 
a premier public research university and a top contender in the 
athletic arena.
  With so much to be proud of, it is no wonder that the Gator nation 
includes millions of people from all over the world--students, alumni, 
faculty, staff, administrators, sports fans, and anyone who shares the 
values and spirit of the University of Florida. It goes without saying 
that the Gator nation has continued to make its mark and make her 
alumni and the Gator family proud.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the 
University of Florida's 2008 football team for winning the 2008 NCAA 
National Championship on January 8, 2009, over the Oklahoma Sooners.
  The 2008 Florida Gators football team represented the University of 
Florida exceptionally well in the 2008 college football season. The 
team was coached by Urban Meyer and finished the season ranked as the 
number one team in the Associated Press poll and USA Today Coaches 
poll. After clinching the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division, the 
team defeated the then number one-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide 31-20 in 
the 2008 SEC Championship Game to win the EC title. The Gators closed 
their season after the 2009 BCS National Championship Game, where they 
defeated the Oklahoma Sooners for the BCS National Championship with a 
score of 24-14.
  In over 100 years of play, Florida has been recognized as SEC 
champions eight times--finishing first in the conference an additional 
three times--and were national champions of the 1996, 2006, and 2008 
college football seasons. The University of Florida is the winningest 
college football team in the Nation since 1990.
  Understandably so, I know that Congressman Stearns and the other 
Representatives from the State of Florida are quite proud of this 
amazing feat, just as I had the opportunity to rejoice when the pride 
of Texas, our University of Texas Longhorns, celebrated their national 
championship victory at the Rose Bowl in 2006.
  Madam Speaker, this commendation today recognizes this exceptional 
team and the University of Florida's athletic program's rich winning 
tradition. This resolution also notes the extraordinary commitment and 
daily sacrifices made by these outstanding young men. I would also like 
to commend the ``Pride of the Sunshine'' Fightin' Gator Marching Band 
who performed magnificently and one of their alumna and an important 
member of my staff, Erin Dominguez.
  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. 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 Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 58.
  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. LOEBSACK. Madam 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.

                          ____________________