[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H1263-H1267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 110) congratulating the National Football League
champion Pittsburgh Steelers for winning Super Bowl XLIII and becoming
the most successful franchise in NFL history with their record 6th
Super Bowl title.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 110
Whereas the Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII by
defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27 to 23 in Tampa, Florida,
on February 1, 2009, winning their second Super Bowl
championship in 4 years;
Whereas with this victory the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise
has set a new National Football League standard for most
Super Bowl victories with their record 6th Super Bowl
championship;
Whereas the Pittsburgh Steelers went 15-4 against the
hardest-ranked 2008-2009 schedule in the NFL and defeated the
San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, and Arizona Cardinals
during their record-setting post season run;
Whereas linebacker James Harrison returned a goal line
interception 100 yards for the longest play in Super Bowl
history;
Whereas quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went 21-30 for 256
yards and led the team down the field for the 19th and most
important 4th quarter comeback of his career;
Whereas wide receiver Santonio Holmes won the Super Bowl
MVP award with a 9-catch, 131-yard performance, including the
game-winning touchdown in the corner of the endzone with 35
seconds left in the game;
Whereas the Pittsburgh Steelers new ``Steel Curtain''
defense, including stars James Harrison, Ryan Clark, Troy
Polamalu, James Farrior, Ike Taylor, Larry Foote, Casey
Hampton, LaMarr Woodley, Brett Keisel, Deshea Townsend, and
Aaron Smith were ranked first in the NFL in overall team
defense for the 2008-2009 season;
Whereas the Pittsburgh Steelers defense during the 2008-
2009 season allowed the least points scored, lowest average
passing yards per game, and the least overall yards per game
in the entire NFL;
Whereas head coach Mike Tomlin is the youngest coach to win
a Super Bowl championship and has continued in the legendary
tradition of head coaches Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher by
bringing a Super Bowl championship to Pittsburgh;
Whereas linebacker James Harrison was named the NFL
Defensive Player of the Year for the 2008-2009 season;
Whereas team owner Dan Rooney and team President Art Rooney
II, the son and grandson, respectively, of Pittsburgh
Steelers founder Art Rooney, have remarkable loyalty to
Steelers fans and the City of Pittsburgh, and have assembled
an exceptional team of players, coaches, and staff that made
achieving a championship possible;
Whereas the Pittsburgh Steelers fan base, known as
``Steeler Nation'', was ranked in August 2008 by ESPN.com as
the best in the NFL, citing their current streak of 299
consecutive sold out games going back to the 1972 season; and
Whereas, for 76 years, the people of the City of Pittsburgh
have seen themselves in the grit, tenacity, and success of
the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise, and they proudly join the
team in celebrating their NFL record 6th Super Bowl
championship: Now therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates
the National Football League Champion Pittsburgh Steelers for
winning Super Bowl XLIII and setting a new championship
standard for the entire NFL.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
General Leave
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Massachusetts?
There was no objection.
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may
consume.
As chairman of the House Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post
Office, and the District of Columbia, and on behalf of the House
Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I'm pleased to join my
colleagues from the State of Pennsylvania, even though this may be a
little painful for me as a New England Patriots fan, but I do heartily
join them in congratulating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the
consideration of House Res. 110, which provides for the recognition of
the National Football League's champion Pittsburgh Steelers for winning
Super Bowl XLIII and for becoming, indeed, the most successful
franchise in NFL history by capturing their sixth Super Bowl title. I
also want to take this opportunity to welcome our new ranking member,
Mr. Chaffetz from Utah, in his new role as ranking member of the
committee.
House Resolution 110 was introduced by Representative Mike Doyle of
Pennsylvania, of Pittsburgh, on February 3, 2009, and currently has the
support of over 60 Members in cosponsorship, including myself. Also
through the courtesy of Chairman Towns, the measure has been considered
and approved by the Oversight Committee
[[Page H1264]]
and now comes to the House floor as a means of highlighting the
Steelers' successful 2008-2009 NFL season and their Super Bowl victory.
Mr. Speaker, the Pittsburgh Steelers stand as one of sporting
history's greatest franchise stories. Founded back in 1933 during the
heyday of Pittsburgh's steel-producing era by the legendary Art Rooney,
or who many refer to as ``The Chief,'' the Steelers are the fifth
oldest NFL franchise. And as a result of their remarkable win against
the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers are now the
most successful NFL team with six Super Bowl rings.
Led by Coach Mike Tomlin, the youngest coach to capture the coveted
Lombardi trophy, the Steelers road to Super Bowl XLIII was lined with
its fair share of advancements and challenges as the Steelers moved
through the hardest ranked 2008-2009 NFL schedule, a road that I must
mention, came through Foxboro, Massachusetts, the home of my beloved
New England Patriots. And that road ended in Tampa Bay, Florida, with
the unforgettable game winning touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger
to Santonio Holmes in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter.
For this accomplishment, Mr. Speaker, we stand to commend the
Pittsburgh Steelers, their franchise, their organization, the players,
coaches and the Rooney family, and of course, the supportive fans that
make up the ``Steeler Nation,'' on a job well done. As the city of
Pittsburgh and its surrounding countryside continue to celebrate its
250th anniversary, I'm certain that the Steelers win in Super Bowl
XLIII only adds to the occasion of such a historical landmark.
In closing, I urge adoption of House Resolution 110.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 110, congratulating
the Pittsburgh Steelers for winning Super Bowl XLIII and becoming the
most successful franchise in NFL history with their record sixth Super
Bowl title.
Mr. Speaker, the Steelers 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in
Tampa, Florida, on February 1, 2009, marked a truly historic moment in
NFL history in several ways. The victory marked the sixth Super Bowl
win for the Steelers, giving them more Super Bowl titles than any other
team in the history of the National Football League. It also gave rise
to a new nickname for the storied franchise that has many nicknames,
``Sixburgh.''
This is the first Super Bowl win for Coach Mike Tomlin, who became
the youngest coach in NFL history to win the championship game. In only
his second season as the Steelers head coach, he joins the ranks of
other legendary Steelers coaches, Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher.
This epic win came against a dangerous and surprising underdog. This
is the first appearance in franchise history for the Arizona Cardinals.
The unlikely Super Bowl contender shook off their reputation as being
one of the most dysfunctional teams in the NFL. The Cardinals soared
through the NFC playoffs, which ended with a convincing win over the
heavily fortified Philadelphia Eagles.
In a game marked by miraculous receptions and tremendous plays, who
could forget one of the most exciting, and longest, plays in Super Bowl
history? With Arizona on the Pittsburgh 2 yard line, poised to take a
14-10 lead with 18 seconds left in the first half, Pittsburgh
linebacker, James Harrison, the NFL's defensive MVP, picked off Kurt
Warner's pass at the Pittsburgh goal line. Harrison rumbled and
stumbled 100 yards for a Steelers touchdown and a 17-7 half-time lead.
While Pittsburgh largely outplayed Arizona for most of the game, the
hopes of the Cardinals fans took flight when Kurt Warner hit receiver
Larry Fitzgerald for a 64-yard touchdown pass putting the Cardinals up
23-20 with 2:37 left in the game. But those hopes came crashing to the
ground when Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, engineered a 78-
yard drive culminating in a touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes, who made
a stunning, acrobatic catch with 35 seconds left to give the Steelers
the lead and, after a stalled Cardinals drive, their historic sixth
Lombardi trophy.
Regardless of who you were rooting for, this was widely regarded as
one of the greatest Super Bowl games in recent memory, and the fans at
home agreed. According to Nielsen Media Research data, the game had
151.6 million viewers, which made it the most-viewed program in
television history.
With that, I would like to congratulate the owners of the Steelers,
the great Rooney family, my colleague, Mr. Rooney, from Florida, the
coaches and players as well as ``Steeler Nation'' and the legions of
Terrible Towel waving fans in Pittsburgh and across the country.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, at this point, I would like to yield to the
chief sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Pittsburgh, Mike
Doyle, for 5 minutes.
Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I was hoping that I would get 6 minutes, 1
minute for each Super Bowl. But we will settle for 5. I can't tell you
how courageous it is to hear my good friend and colleague, Mr. Lynch, a
New England Patriot fan, have to stand up here on the House floor and
say such wonderful things about the Pittsburgh Steelers. I'm sure this
is going to hurt him back home in his district. And Steve, I appreciate
those gracious words.
This was a gritty team. In the beginning of the season, not too many
people picked the Pittsburgh Steelers to be in the Super Bowl. We were
said to have the toughest schedule in the NFL. And there was some talk
that we might not even win our division. Cleveland was seen as the up-
and-coming team in our division, and with the schedule, things just
didn't look like they were going to fall in place with the Steelers.
We had a young coach, Mike Tomlin, 36 years old. He has only been
head coach for a couple of years. And Pittsburgh just wasn't one of the
teams mentioned when you talked about who is going be in the Super
Bowl. But this was a gritty team, emblematic of the people they play
for, the people of the city of Pittsburgh. And they finished the season
with a 12-4 record.
When you look at the four toughest schedules in the NFL, three of
those four teams didn't finish with winning records. Only one did, the
Pittsburgh Steelers. And they did it behind the Nation's best defense,
the number one defense in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers. We went on
to beat the San Diego Chargers and the Baltimore Ravens to get into the
Super Bowl. And then one of the most exciting games I have ever seen in
my lifetime, and I have watched lots of Steeler football, and I want to
compliment the Arizona Cardinals, that team played a great game. I
don't think many people mentioned the Arizona Cardinals when it came to
who was going to be in the Super Bowl either. And they deserve a lot of
credit for the way they played that game and how hard they fought.
Pittsburgh really dominated them for quite some time, and they came
back in the fourth quarter. And for a while, it looked like we didn't
know what hit us. But then, as Ben Roethlisberger has done 18 other
times in his career, he took the Steelers down on a final drive to win
the ball game with just 35 seconds left as Santonio Holmes made a catch
that was ballerina like in the way he was able to keep his two feet in
bounds. And when we first saw it on television, it looked like he was
out of bounds. But the replay clearly showed that he had caught that
ball. So Pittsburgh now has been in seven Super Bowls. We have won six
of them.
As someone who has been born and raised in Pittsburgh, my
grandparents, when they came from Ireland and Italy, they ended up in
the little town of Pittsburgh. We've been there ever since. I can tell
you that this is a blue collar team, a team that plays with grit,
determination and character. And that character is emblematic of the
ownership of the Steelers, the Rooney family. There isn't a better
family in football. And the Steelers played because of the way the
Rooney family has set the standard for that. We are privileged in the
House of Representatives to have the grandson of the founder of the
Pittsburgh Steelers here, and one of my chief cosponsors of the bill.
So along with the entire Pennsylvania delegation, my colleagues, Tim
Murphy and Jason Altmire, we want
[[Page H1265]]
to congratulate the Rooney family. We want to congratulate the people
of the city of Pittsburgh. This team epitomizes the tough, resilient
spirit of the city of Pittsburgh in southwestern Pennsylvania. I'm
proud to represent these folks. And I hope my colleagues will join me
in recognizing six-time Super Bowl champs, the Pittsburgh Steelers, on
the occasion of this latest victory.
Mr. Speaker, do I have any time left?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Pennsylvania has 1\1/2\
minutes remaining.
Mr. DOYLE. I normally don't yield to people from cities that have
sore losers. But my good friend, Mr. Stupak, who represents the Green
Bay Packers, has asked for some time to dispute the resolution. And I
guess in the spirit of camaraderie, I will yield him some time.
Mr. STUPAK. I thank the gentleman for yielding and thank him for his
friendship.
As you know, I have been to Pittsburgh. We went to the new stadium in
Pittsburgh when the Steelers played. When they opened up the new
stadium, we were there. I congratulate the Pittsburgh Steelers on their
sixth Super Bowl ring and their championship this year. But the last
part of your resolution, and every football fan knows, that the
standard for the entire NFL for championships is the Green Bay Packers
with 13, with 13.
{time} 1400
So I would ask the gentleman, you don't want to lower the standard,
obviously, that we should recognize the fact that the standard for
championships, as your resolution says, in the entire NFL belongs to
the Green Bay Packers, and not to my other nice team, the Pittsburgh
Steelers.
So I just want to make note of it that I think all of us being
football fans recognize the fact that the standard for NFL
championships is with the Green Bay Packers.
Mr. DOYLE. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, I would just say to my
good friend from Green Bay, I feel your pain. I understand what it's
like to be on the losing end. You know, Pittsburgh went through 40
years of teams that didn't have winning records, so we understand how
it feels to be a Green Bay fan.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my distinguished
colleague from the State of Florida (Mr. Rooney).
Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, thank you to Congressman Doyle for
sponsoring this bill. You know, it's not really in our family's
disposition to sort of brag on itself, but given the opportunity that I
have as a new Member of this Congress and the accomplishments that
we've had, I'll do so briefly.
Our old quarterback, Terry Bradshaw, called my grandfather, Art
Rooney, a good king. But for 40 years, Mike, as you said, the
Pittsburgh Steelers never won. And then the chief, who founded the team
in 1933, saw his team win four Super Bowls in the 1970s, before he died
in 1988. Now, we have two more in the last couple of years, and that's
six, more than any team ever. I know my grandfather is up there in
heaven looking down, smiling, smoking a cigar. I miss him every day,
and I love him very much.
Michael, Dan, and my cousin, Artie, have done a great job carrying
his torch, but the other owners in my family who are part of this team,
my Uncle Art, who scouted all those players you saw play in the 1970s
that won four Lombardi trophies, my Uncle Tim of New York, my Uncle
John of Philadelphia, my dad, Pat Rooney, Sr. of Florida, and the
McGinleys, all ``North Siders'' of Pittsburgh, but all make up the
ownership of the Pittsburgh Steelers and play a role in who the Rooneys
are and how they conduct business.
Instilled by my grandfather, the secret of the success of the
Pittsburgh Steelers and the Rooney family is, quite simply, patience,
humility, faith, trust in our coaches and our players, but most
importantly, defense. Defense.
I want to say congratulations to our coaches, Mike Tomlin and Dick
LeBeau, who should be in the Hall of Fame, our front office, our
players, Glades Central High School MVP Santonio Holmes, James
Harrison, with the longest touchdown in Super Bowl history. But most of
all to Steeler Nation, get ready for Number 7 in 2009.
Go Steelers.
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 2
minutes to Mr. Scott of Virginia.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate
the Pittsburgh Steelers on their historic sixth Super Bowl victory. In
a game that was exciting down to the last minute, the Steelers defeated
the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday, February 1,
2009.
Now, I want to deliver a special note of congratulations to the head
coach of the team, Mike Tomlin. Coach Tomlin is a native of the Third
Congressional District of Virginia. He's a product of the Newport News
public schools, graduating from Denbigh High School in 1990. Mike was a
3-year starter at the College of William and Mary football team, and
graduated from the college in 1994.
Mike's dedication to coaching at the professional level places him in
the pantheon of great coaches that the Steelers have had over the last
53 years, including Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher.
But what many people do not know about Coach Tomlin is that his
dedication to coaching comes from the impact that coaches and other
role models have had in his life. His biggest role model was his
stepfather, who came into his life at the age of six and, according to
Tomlin, taught him what it was to be a man. In describing the impact
his father had on him, Mike said, and I quote, ``I had big dreams when
I was a child. But without my dad, those dreams might not have come
true. He brought stability to my life. He made my world a safe place in
which to think, to learn, and yes, to dream. I would not be coaching
the Steelers in the Super Bowl today if it weren't for the man who
walked into my life when I was a young boy and became my dad.''
Mike has never forgotten the impact his father had on him and has
dedicated himself to be that kind of role model, both to his immediate
family, and in the community.
And now, Madam Speaker, I include the following article entitled
``Coach Makes a Difference for Many on the Peninsula; Those who know
him say Mike Tomlin relishes his status as a role model'' for the
Record to highlight the work that Mike has done in his hometown
community. It was published in the Daily Press on February 1.
I'd like to once again congratulate Coach Tomlin and the entire
Pittsburgh Steelers team on their historic victory.
Coach Makes a Difference for Many on Peninsula--Those Who Know Him Say
Mike Tomlin Relishes His Status as a Role Model
(By Dave Fairbank)
Larry Orie watched Mike Tomlin grow up. Saw him play youth
sports. Attended his football games at Denbigh High and later
at William and Mary.
A close friend of Tomlin's parents since high school, Orie
followed Tomlin's coaching career when he reached the
National Football League. He attended games and visited
Tomlin at professional coaching stops in Tampa, Minnesota and
now as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
``What I find about him is he's the same all the time,''
said Orie, a retired Newport News fire chief. ``He's
constant. He wants to give back to the community. He's a role
model, even for older folks like me. * * * He definitely
wants to be a role model for the community, especially for
where he came from.''
That's why Orie, in his capacity as vice president for
membership of the 100 Black Men of the Virginia Peninsula,
recommended that the organization recognize Tomlin during its
annual gala in April.
``Larry said, `This is a great guy,' '' chapter President
Everett Browning said. ``He's not just a football coach. This
is a person we want our kids to know about and model their
lives after.''
Tomlin--who will attempt to become the youngest head coach
to win a Super Bowl today, when the Steelers face the Arizona
Cardinals--was the first sports figure selected as Role Model
of the Year in the 16 years of the local chapter of 100 Black
Men, the national organization dedicated to improving the
lives and opportunities of young blacks.
The group usually honors business, political and community
leaders, all of whom have longer resumes than the 36-year-old
Tomlin. In the past, it has recognized such figures as former
Gov. Doug Wilder, U.S. Rep. Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott Jr. and
Hampton University President William Harvey.
After spending time around Tomlin on that April day,
Browning was convinced that the group had chosen wisely. What
sold Browning wasn't Tomlin's demeanor and message
[[Page H1266]]
the night of the affair but an appearance that morning.
Tomlin spoke to more than 100 high school and middle school
students at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center in
downtown Newport News, where Browning said the coach was
sincere, humble and inspirational.
``He said, `Twenty years ago, I was you guys, sitting down
in the audience,' '' Browning remembered. ``A high school
student, listening to people trying to tell me about life and
the things you need to do to be successful. Let me tell you,
what people are telling you is the truth.''
Browning said of Tomlin, ``He said he lived his life by the
code of being a hard worker, of being true to one's self and
realizing if you want to get ahead, you have to make
sacrifices. I was just elated to hear him say those things to
the students.''
Tomlin doesn't need a black-tie gala or a proclamation in
his honor to return to the Peninsula, either.
He took a couple of days' vacation time this past summer
and drove from Pittsburgh to attend the Peninsula All-Star
Football Camp, the annual affair staged by Hampton native and
NFL Players Association communications director Carl Francis.
``I was shocked, but I wasn't shocked,'' Francis said, ``if
you know what I mean.''
Tomlin didn't simply put in an appearance and stand in the
shade, sipping Gatorade. He was on the field at Christopher
Newport University, bouncing around, working up a sweat,
coaching kids and chattering endlessly.
``You could see he was excited to be around kids and talk
football,'' said Bethel High coach Jeff Nelson, who also
worked the camp. ``Sometimes you see a head coach of a big-
time program or an NFL team in a setting like that, and you
get the feeling that they're above everybody. With him, he
was like one of the kids, running around and coaching. Kids
feed off that.''
Francis said, ``I am tremendously grateful to Mike for what
he's done for me and our camp. His humility and generosity
are genuine. He's a caring person. There is no armor on
Mike.''
Francis' football camp is part of his work with the Hampton
Roads Youth Foundation. He remembered that almost two years
ago, he had a conversation with Tomlin--shortly after Tomlin
became Steelers head coach--about the camp and about lining
up speakers for the foundation's annual pre-camp banquet.
``I was using him as a sounding board,'' Francis said. ``I
didn't ask him to do anything, and he said, `Carl, why don't
I just do it?'
``I was like, `Mike, look, you're a new head coach. You've
got a million things on your plate. He said, `No, no, no.
Let's get it done. Just tell me when and where, and I'll be
there.' ''
Tomlin makes an impression, whether it's speaking to kids
in a community center or in the NFL, where he has led the
Steelers to the playoffs in both his years as a head coach.
``I think he's very important,'' Francis said.
``I don't know that our area really understands the
magnitude of what he's doing and how he's perceived.
``If you listen to people around the National Football
League, all the way up to the commissioner's office, they'll
tell you that he's made a tremendous impact around the
league. His maturity and his ability to communicate with
people is remarkable.''
Tomlin, a father of three, has expanded his charitable work
to the Pittsburgh area.
He has participated in charity events there and is a member
of the group All Pro Dad, an organization with deep NFL ties
that helps men become better fathers.
``Most of the kids looking up to athletes think that
there's a possibility that they can get there,'' Orie said,
``but there's a lot more that don't get there than do. But
having Mike as another alternative--it's just like Mr. Obama
being the president now--a kid can look up and say, `I can do
that.'
``He's a good role model because everyone that aspires to
be an athlete is not going to be one, and he's an example
that you don't have to be one to have a good life and have an
impact on people.''
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to my distinguished
colleague from the State of Pennsylvania (Mr. Tim Murphy).
Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend,
Mike Doyle from Pittsburgh, for introducing this resolution and helping
the Nation know once again what this towel means.
The six pack, Six-burgh, six Lombardi trophies, six Super Bowl wins,
six Super Bowl rings, the only team to have achieved that landmark
status.
The incredible Super Bowl XLIII champions, from Roethlisberger to
Polamalu to Holmes to Miller to Ward to Harrison, a super team that
brings pride to Pittsburgh, to Pennsylvania and professional football.
But there is a back story here that needs to be told. How is it that
the Steelers are able to do so much? After all, other cities have great
teams and great talent. What happens here with this team that unites
them so closely with the city and its fans, it's also the Steeler
Nation.
First, has to be their attitude about winning, the attitude about
pushing themselves harder each week, of playing not just the 60 minutes
on the field till the last second ticks off the clock, but playing hard
in their practice and being part of the community. It's about that
drive to do better each time; knowing that the line for excellence
keeps moving up, whatever or wherever it is, you've got to get there.
Period. And that's what they do.
Second, it's about trust and loyalty. This is a team that raises
loyalty and trust to a whole new standard. Three coaches only in the
last 30 years; the Rooney family owning the team from the start, that
not only stays loyal to their hometown of Pittsburgh, where it works to
make the town better for their charitable work and quiet leadership.
The players trust the coaches and the owners to do the right thing and
the best thing. The fans in the city trust the team, and the loyalty
shows every Sunday in football season when the black and gold terrible
towel waves proudly at every stadium for every game, wherever the
Steeler Nation is.
Third, know this: The Steelers aren't just a team, and it's not just
a game. They represent the people and our hearts. They aren't some
players on the field that we passively watch. We are there on the field
with them, and they are with us. During that couple of hours every
autumn Sunday, we can dream and we know that all together, we can make
dreams come true. This ain't fantasy football. It's the real thing.
It's what we believe in. It's what we expect. It's what we all do. And
that's why they win.
In the 1970s, Pittsburgh was feeling the pains of the steel industry
hurting. But the Steelers were winning. The steel mills were closing
down, but the Steelers were winning. The steel jobs were disappearing,
but the Steelers were winning. When Pittsburgh was struggling the most,
the Steelers were winning the most. Four Super Bowls in the 1970s. We
saw and we believed that no matter what, we could still work together
and make it, the 11 players on the field and the 12th player all over
the country.
And here we are again, a fifth Super Bowl just a few years ago and a
sixth a few weeks ago. Again, we may be struggling in our town, in our
Nation, but the Steelers find a way to win. The Nation may be hoping we
can, but the Steelers Nation know we can and we do. The talent and
tenacity of tens of thousands of Terrible Towel wielding fans make it
happen.
And the way the Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII was the way we win,
fourth quarter, behind in the score, but with an on-the-money throw, a
long reach, a fingertip catch and by the tip of the toes, a touchdown
that puts them ahead. And that's how they win, and they do it with
class.
This is not just the Pittsburgh Steelers. They're the Steelers that
are symbolic of our Nation. Being behind doesn't mean you give up.
Losing a game doesn't mean you slink off in the sunset and write off
the season. Like our Nation, we will keep at it and fight, time and
time over again until we win. That's when we play as a team, all with
the same goal and determination. We can, we do, we will. Not just
champions for the City of Pittsburgh, but for our Nation. Taking a page
from their playbook, we will all come from behind, we will all be
stronger, better smarter and, as a Nation, just like the Pittsburgh
Steelers, we will win.
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my distinguished
colleague from the State of Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson).
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Growing up in Steeler country, I have
long viewed the franchise the golden standard of the NFL. Now in their
sixth Super Bowl title the entire world knows what we in central and
western Pennsylvania have known for some time, the Steelers are the
greatest professional football franchise of all time.
From the ownership to the coaching staff, the players, the fans, the
Steelers organization continues to impress me, both on and off the
field. Their commitment to enriching the lives of western
Pennsylvania's youth and their partnership with the community is as
strong today as it was in 1933 when Arthur J. Rooney first founded the
team.
[[Page H1267]]
To the Rooney family and the team, Coach Tomlin, who I may add is the
youngest head coach in history to win a world championship, my good
friend from Florida and classmate Tom Rooney, on behalf of the Fifth
District of Pennsylvania, congratulations, and thank you for everything
that you do for central and western Pennsylvania.
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, we continue to reserve.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to my distinguished
colleague from the State of Illinois (Mr. Kirk).
Mr. KIRK. I might just ask the leadership why we're debating this
resolution, taking time away from serious debate on the hidden stimulus
bill. Why, as the economy tanks, congressional leaders are voting to
borrow $2 trillion, but we're debating National Engineers Week and a
football resolution.
Now I watched the game and it was a good game, but it's not our core
mission. We should be debating the $2 billion appropriation for,
``neighborhood stabilization'' available to organizations currently
under criminal scrutiny like ACORN, a new wellness fund or a government
medical effectiveness board now with powers to override decisions of
you and your doctor.
When we take up resolutions like this, it's because we are trying to
distract Members and the American people from knowing what they cannot
read in the stimulus bill. We can debate the Super Bowl, but you know,
the results are not in doubt. What we ought to be debating is should we
borrow $2 trillion on behalf of the American people and does anyone
have that cash.
We debate Engineer Week instead of asking the Fed when you
``monetize'' debt, doesn't that really mean you're printing money?
It's resolutions like this that weaken the reputation of the U.S.
House.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. DeGette). The time of the gentleman has
expired.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Illinois an
additional minute.
Mr. KIRK. It's resolutions like this that weaken the image of this
Congress as a serious legislative body. Let's take another look at
resolutions like these for what they really are, distractions so that
we do not see what is currently happening behind closed doors on the
stimulus bill, the growing debt of our country, and decisions by
Federal officials to begin printing money.
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how many more speakers the
gentleman has?
Mr. CHAFFETZ. None.
Mr. LYNCH. We will reserve the balance of our time.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the
passage of H.R. 110, and yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LYNCH. Again, I ask that all Members support the underlying
Resolution 110, congratulating the Pittsburgh Steelers on their Super
Bowl championship.
I yield back.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 110.
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. LYNCH. 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.
____________________