[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 156 (Monday, October 26, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H11748-H11750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRATULATING THE IOWA HAWKEYES WRESTLING TEAM

  Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 368) congratulating the University of Iowa 
Hawkeyes wrestling team on winning the 2009 NCAA Division I National 
Wrestling Championships, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 368

       Whereas the University of Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling team Head 
     Coach Tom Brands was

[[Page H11749]]

     named the Big Ten Coach of the Year and led the team to its 
     22nd national title and his 2nd national title, and also led 
     the team to its 33rd Big Ten Conference title and his 2nd 
     conference title;
       Whereas the Hawkeyes wrestling team was represented proudly 
     by 9 NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championship 
     qualifiers, including Chad Beatty, Jay Borschel, Daniel 
     Dennis, Dan Erekson, Charlie Falck, Phillip Keddy, Brent 
     Metcalf, Ryan Morningstar, and Alex Tsirtsis;
       Whereas the Hawkeyes wrestling team was also represented 
     proudly by NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championship 
     finalist Brent Metcalf, who also won his second straight Big 
     Ten title and earned Outstanding Wrestler honors at the Big 
     Ten Championships;
       Whereas the Hawkeyes wrestling team was also represented 
     proudly by Dan Erekson, who won his first Big Ten title at 
     the Big Ten Championships;
       Whereas the Hawkeyes wrestling team was honored by having 5 
     All-Americans with Daniel Dennis, Dan Erekson, Phillip Keddy, 
     Brent Metcalf, and Ryan Morningstar being named;
       Whereas the Hawkeyes wrestling team had a final team score 
     of 96.5 to place them 1st in the NCAA Division I standings;
       Whereas the hard work and dedication of the Hawkeyes 
     wrestling team's Brodie Ambrose, Mark Ballweg, Matt Ballweg, 
     Chad Beatty, Jay Borschel, Jeret Chiri, Derek Coorough, Colby 
     Covington, Daniel Dennis, Dan Erekson, Michael Fahrer, 
     Charlie Falck, Grant Gambrall, Stew Gillmor, Tyler Halverson, 
     Aaron Janssen, Jordan Johnson, Phillip Keddy, Jake Kerr, Nick 
     Kolegraff, Brooks Kopsa, J.J. Krutsinger, Ryan Kurovski, Dan 
     LeClere, Nick LeClere, T.H. Leet, Rick Loera, Luke Lofthouse, 
     Montell Marion, Weston Marling, Matt McDonough, Brent 
     Metcalf, Joe Moore, Nate Moore, Ryan Morningstar, Blake 
     Rasing, Ethan Sebert, Joe Slaton, Alex Tsirtsis, Head Coach 
     Tom Brands, Assistant Coach Terry Brands, Assistant Coach 
     Doug Schwab, Strength and Conditioning Coach Jared Frayer, 
     Volunteer Assistant Coach Mike Zadick, and Administrative 
     Assistant Luke Eustice all contributed to an outstanding 
     season culminating in the 2009 national title;
       Whereas the current Hawkeyes wrestling team has continued 
     the team's winning history, which includes 33 Big Ten 
     Conference Championships and 22 NCAA Division I National 
     Wrestling Championships;
       Whereas the Hawkeyes wrestling team set the national 
     collegiate dual meet attendance record of 15,955 when it 
     hosted Iowa State December 6, 2008, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena 
     and led the Nation with an average home dual meet attendance 
     figure of 8,008 for the 2008-09 season;
       Whereas the Hawkeyes wrestling team has a rich tradition 
     and history of producing champions and outstanding collegiate 
     athletes and coaches since the program began in 1911;
       Whereas former Hawkeyes wrestling Head Coach and Olympic 
     Gold Medalist, Dan Gable, helped establish one of the most 
     successful wrestling programs in the Nation and is commended 
     for his past leadership and guidance; and
       Whereas the Hawkeyes wrestling team has brought honor to 
     the team, the University of Iowa, the City of Iowa City, and 
     the State of Iowa: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the University of Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling team 
     for winning the 2009 NCAA Division I National Wrestling 
     Championship; and
       (2) congratulates the team on winning its 22nd national 
     title since 1975 and finishing the season with a perfect 24-0 
     overall record and a perfect 8-0 conference record, ending 
     the season on a 38-match winning streak.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Puerto Rico (Mr. Pierluisi) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Puerto Rico.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 368 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Puerto Rico?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PIERLUISI. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the University of Iowa 
Hawkeyes wrestling team for their victory in the 2009 NCAA Division I 
National Wrestling Championship tournament.
  On March 21, the college wrestling fans were treated to an 
exceptional wrestling match as the University of Iowa won its 22nd 
national team title with a final team score of 96.5 points, edging 
runner-up Ohio State University by only 4.5 points.
  That was the closest margin of victory since Iowa won the 1999 team 
title by 2 points and only the second time in school history that the 
Hawkeyes won the NCAA title without an individual champion.
  The Iowa Hawkeyes put together a remarkable season. The wrestling 
team was represented proudly at the NCAA national championship match 
with nine championship qualifiers. Brent Metcalf, a junior, won his 
second straight Big Ten title and earned Outstanding Wrestler honors. 
Dan Erekson, a junior, won his first Big Ten title of the Big Ten 
championships. In total, the 2009 team produced 15 All-Americans and 19 
All-Academic Big Ten athletes.
  The Hawkeyes wrestling team is a premier program. The extraordinary 
achievement of this season is a tribute to the skill and dedication of 
the many wrestlers, coaches, students, alumni, families and fans that 
have helped to make the University of Iowa a wrestling powerhouse.
  I want to extend my congratulations to Coach Tom Brands, who returned 
to his alma mater and led the team to a perfect 24-0 overall record, an 
8-0 record in Big Ten dual matches, and a national championship in just 
his third season as a head coach. Impressive feats such as these are 
why Coach Brands was named the 2009 Coach of the Year by the Big Ten 
conference.
  Congratulations are also in order for assistant coaches Terry Brands, 
Doug Schwab and Mike Zadick; strength and conditioning coach, Jared 
Frayer; and administrative assistant, Luke Eustice. They all played a 
vital part in the success of this talented team.
  Last season's victory adds to a robust history. The University of 
Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling program began in 1911 and has produced a rich 
history of champions with 33 Big Ten conference championships and 22 
NCAA Division I national championships.
  Winning the national championship, finishing the season with a 24-0 
overall record and winning the Big Ten Conference championship for the 
33rd time has brought national acclaim to the University of Iowa. I 
know the fans of the university will revel in this accomplishment as 
they look forward to the 2010 season.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congressman Loebsack for bringing this 
resolution forward. Once again, I congratulate the University of Iowa 
for their success.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Once again, the gentleman from Puerto Rico, I appreciate you bringing 
this resolution to the floor and rise today to support House Resolution 
368 to congratulate the University of Iowa Hawkeyes on winning the 2009 
NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championship. This is, indeed, an 
honor for all those who are working in that system, for all those who 
are associated with the University of Iowa, as well as the residents of 
the State of Iowa.
  The University of Iowa was founded in 1847 as Iowa's first public 
institution of higher learning and, since that time, has gained 
international recognition for its academic, artistic and scientific 
accomplishments as a public university. It established the first law 
school and was the first U.S. public university to admit men and women 
on an equal basis. The University of Iowa's academic and athletic 
accomplishments have earned the University of Iowa Hawkeyes an 
international reputation for excellence.
  This last school year, in 2009, the university's reputation was 
furthered by the accomplishments of this wrestling team. The University 
of Iowa wrestling team began in 1911 and has recently been named one of 
the top sports dynasties of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated.
  Since its founding, the Hawkeye wrestling team has won 22 national 
championships, as was mentioned by the gentleman from Puerto Rico. The 
Hawkeyes competed in the first Big Ten meet clear back in 1926, won 
their first NCAA title in 1975. They won a streak of nine consecutive 
NCAA team championships from 1978 to 1986. In the 23 wrestling seasons 
since that time, the Hawkeyes have claimed 11 national championships. 
The University of Iowa Hawkeye wrestling team undoubtedly has a long 
and rich history of excellence.
  At the head of the outstanding team sits Head Coach Tom Brands, who 
was

[[Page H11750]]

named the Big Ten Coach of the Year and the National Wrestling Coaches 
Association's Coach of the Year in 2008. Coach Brands is a former gold 
medalist and made four straight U.S. World or Olympic teams.

                              {time}  1445

  He started as head coach with the University of Iowa's wrestling team 
in 2006 and has been leading the team to excellence since then. The 
2009 wrestling season marked the Hawkeye wrestling team's most recent 
series of achievements. After a successful season, the Hawkeye team was 
proud to have nine of their athletes qualify for the Division I 
championships, and with a final score of 96.5, the Hawkeyes were in 
first place as the national champions.
  I am honored to stand in this House today to congratulate and 
recognize the significant achievements of the players, coaches, and 
students whose dedication and hard work have led to the success of the 
University of Iowa Hawkeye wrestling program, as well as the 2009 
Division I National Wrestling Championship.
  As usual, there is always some kind of personal tie that comes to 
these types of resolutions. Again, I have people I have known from Utah 
who have specifically gone to this school, to this program, not just 
for the quality of the wrestling program it has, but for the quality of 
the education the institution provides. The State of Iowa should indeed 
be very proud of this particular institution.
  I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers for this particular resolution, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support the 
resolution congratulating the University of Iowa Hawkeye's wrestling 
team for their victory in the 2009 NCAA Division I National Wrestling 
Championship tournament.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Pierluisi) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 368, as amended.
  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. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  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.

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