[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E185-E186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN COMMEMORATION OF MR. SANTONIO HOLMES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 3, 2009

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate 
the achievement of Mr. Santonio Holmes, who on February 1, 2009 was 
named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLIII.
  Mr. Holmes was born in Belle Glade, FL, a part of my Congressional 
district. Mr. Holmes came from humble roots and through hard work and 
dedication, he made it to the National Football League (NFL). Mr. 
Holmes' athletic prowess and entrepreneurship developed from an early 
age; as a young boy growing up in Belle Glade, he would catch rabbits 
by hand

[[Page E186]]

and sell them. Mr. Holmes attended Glades Central High School in Belle 
Glade, where he excelled in football, basketball and track. He went on 
to attend College at Ohio State from 2003 to 2005, where he starred as 
a wide receiver. In 2006 he was picked 25th in the first round of the 
NFL draft.
  Mr. Holmes' performance in the Pittsburgh Steelers' victory over the 
Arizona Cardinals was nothing short of tremendous. He caught 9 
receptions for a total of 131 yards. It was his last reception, 
however, that was most significant. With less than a minute remaining, 
the Steelers trailed the Cardinals 23-20. Steelers quarterback Ben 
Roethlisberger, in an improvised play, lofted the ball toward the right 
corner, over the hands of three defenders. Mr. Holmes leaped to get it 
and managed to drag both feet in bounds, his toes barely scraping the 
grass before he tumbled out of bounds. This touchdown and the 
subsequent conversion gave the Steelers a winning margin of 27-23.
  Madam Speaker, Mr. Holmes' recognition as the Most Valuable Player of 
Super Bowl XLIII is well deserved. Mr. Holmes' personal story also 
highlights the promise and opportunity of our great nation, that all 
Americans, even those from the most humble of backgrounds, may achieve 
tremendous things. I am extremely proud to congratulate Mr. Holmes and 
encourage my colleagues to join me in doing so as well.

                          ____________________