[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 14, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H2542-H2545]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING DUKE UNIVERSITY ON WINNING THE NCAA BASKETBALL 
                              CHAMPIONSHIP

  Ms. FUDGE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1242) congratulating the Duke University men's 
basketball team for winning the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball 
National Championship.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1242

       Whereas on April 5, 2010, the Duke University Blue Devils 
     defeated the Butler University Bulldogs by a score of 61-59 
     in the finals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association 
     (hereinafter referred to as the ``NCAA'') Division I Men's 
     Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana;
       Whereas the Blue Devils now hold 4 national men's 
     basketball titles, winning NCAA championships in 1991, 1992, 
     2001, and 2010;
       Whereas Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski improved his 
     record to 868-279, won his 77th NCAA tournament game, the 
     most in NCAA history, and won his fourth national 
     championship, making him tied with Adolph Rupp for second 
     most championships in NCAA history;
       Whereas Coach Krzyzewski and his coaching staff, including 
     Assistant Coaches Chris Collins, Steve Wojciechowski, and 
     Nate James, as well as each manager, trainer, and staff 
     member, deserve praise and credit for helping the Blue Devils 
     reach the pinnacle of college basketball;
       Whereas the Blue Devil team roster included seniors Jordan 
     Davidson, Jon Scheyer, Lance Thomas, and Brian Zoubek, 
     juniors Steve Johnson, Casey Peters, Kyle Singler, and Nolan 
     Smith, sophomores Seth Curry and Miles Plumlee, and freshmen 
     Andre Dawkins, Ryan Kelly, Mason Plumlee, and Todd 
     Zafirovski;
       Whereas junior Kyle Singler was named the Most Outstanding 
     Player of the Final Four, scoring 19 points and collecting 9 
     rebounds while playing all 40 minutes in the championship 
     game;
       Whereas Blue Devils Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler, and Nolan 
     Smith were each named to the all-tournament team;
       Whereas during the 2009-2010 season, the Duke Blue Devils 
     finished with a record of 35-5, tied for the most wins, and 
     scored a total of 3079 points;
       Whereas the Blue Devils went undefeated on their home court 
     in Cameron Indoor Stadium for the 2009-2010 regular season;
       Whereas the Duke Blue Devils won the 2010 Atlantic Coast 
     Conference (hereinafter referred to as the ``ACC'') 
     Tournament, their record 18 such tournament championship, and 
     won a share of the ACC regular-season championship with a 
     conference record of 13-3;
       Whereas the Duke Blue Devils have played in 15 Final Fours 
     and have played in at least one Final Four in 6 consecutive 
     decades;
       Whereas the Blue Devils have amassed a record overall 
     winning percentage of 75.8 percent in the NCAA tournament;
       Whereas the Blue Devil players, coaches, and staff are 
     outstanding representatives of Duke University, a top ten 
     university that is recognized annually as a national leader 
     in academics and research;
       Whereas in addition to their skill on the court, the Duke 
     men's basketball team upholds a high standard of academic 
     excellence, achieving an overall graduation success rate of 
     92 percent;
       Whereas the Duke men's basketball program has had 31 ACC 
     All-Academic basketball teams over the last 14 years, has had 
     at least one player on the ACC All-Academic basketball team 
     for a record 16 straight years, has received 5 Academic All-
     America selections over the past 12 years, and has had at 
     least one team member on the ACC All-Academic basketball team 
     in 23 of the last 26 years for a total of 46 selections;
       Whereas the Blue Devils showed tremendous dedication to 
     their team, appreciation to their fans, sportsmanship toward 
     their opponents, and respect for the game of basketball 
     throughout the 2009-2010 season;
       Whereas Duke students, faculty, staff, alumni, and all fans 
     of the Blue Devils are to be congratulated for their 
     sportsmanship, dedication, and support of their team; and
       Whereas the Blue Devils' 2010 NCAA championship further 
     solidifies the tradition of basketball excellence that exists 
     in the State of North Carolina, whose universities have won 4 
     of the last 10 NCAA championships: Now, therefore, be it--
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the 2010 national champions, the Duke 
     University Blue Devils, for their win in the 2010 National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Basketball 
     Tournament;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, 
     students, and support staff who were instrumental in the Blue 
     Devils' victory;
       (3) invites the Duke University men's basketball team to 
     the United States Capitol Building to be honored; and
       (4) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     make available enrolled copies of this resolution to Duke 
     University President Richard H. Brodhead, Athletic Director 
     Kevin White, and Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski for appropriate 
     display.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Capps). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Fudge) and the gentlewoman from Washington 
(Mrs. McMorris Rogers) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from Ohio.


                             General Leave

  Ms. FUDGE. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous materials on H. 
Res. 1242 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. FUDGE. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Duke University men's 
basketball team for winning the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball 
National Championship.
  When the final buzzer sounded in the 2010 Men's Basketball NCAA 
Championship game, two exceptional college basketball programs' seasons 
came to an end. Both the Duke University Blue Devils and the Butler 
University Bulldogs played with exceptional talent and dedication. The 
ball pressure and stifling defenses from both teams led to a low-
scoring, yet entertaining, game. The game included five ties, 15 lead 
changes, and two potentially game-winning shots. In the end, Duke 
seized their fourth NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, cementing its 
legacy in college basketball history.
  With a 61-59 victory Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Duke 
University Blue Devils proved that they are still one of the country's 
most elite college basketball programs. The Blue Devils finished their 
regular 2009-2010 season strongly, with a 35-5 record, followed by 
winning the 2010 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. In addition, 
they were cochampions of the ACC with a record of 13-3, while earning 
an NCAA tournament number 1 seed. In a tournament where the top seeds 
were falling and upsets were ample, the Blue Devils consistently 
dominated their opponents.
  This Blue Devils men's basketball season marked Coach Mike 
Krzyzewski's 30th season at Duke and his fourth NCAA Men's Basketball 
Championship. Better known as Coach K, Coach K has led Duke to the 
Final Four 11 times during his time with the

[[Page H2543]]

team, and this game was his 868th career win as a coach. The 2010 NCAA 
championship game marked his 77th NCAA tournament game, the most in 
NCAA history. He won his fourth national championship and tied Adolph 
Rupp for second most in NCAA history.
  Kyle Singler was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, 
scoring 19 points and collecting nine rebounds while playing all 40 
minutes in the championship game. He has been a leader and a remarkable 
asset to the Blue Devils all season. Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer, and 
Nolan Smith were each named to the all-tournament team. I congratulate 
these men and all of the players on a great victory.
  The alumni, faculty, and staff have much to be proud of. With over a 
75 percent winning rate in the NCAA tournament, the rest of the country 
measures themselves to Duke.
  Once again, I congratulate Duke on winning the national championship. 
I thank Representative Price for bringing this bill forward.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 1242, congratulating the 
Duke University men's basketball team. The Duke University Blue Devils 
men's basketball team has a national reputation for excellence. The 
team has won four NCAA Division I National Championships, and has been 
among the Final Four 15 times since 1980. Seventy-one Duke players have 
been drafted into the NBA, and 11 players have been named the National 
Player of the Year. Duke has won the most Atlantic Coast Tournament 
championships and has also had numerous successful regular seasons.
  In the 2010 NCAA championship game, Duke took the victory over Butler 
with a final score of 61-59. Butler played a very competitive game, 
keeping the score incredibly close throughout the entire game; however, 
Duke pulled ahead by one point each half to take the victory.
  Although we are celebrating Duke's athletic excellence, we should 
take a moment to recognize the quality of Duke's academic programs.
  Duke University has two undergraduate schools and nine graduate and 
professional schools. In the 2010 edition, U.S. News & World Report 
ranked the university's undergraduate program 10th among national 
universities, and ranked the medical, law, and business schools among 
the top 12 in the United States. Duke also is known to be among the 
Nation's top research universities.
  I rise today to congratulate Duke University's men's basketball team 
and Coach K for winning the 2010 NCAA National Championship. I ask my 
colleagues to join in support of this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FUDGE. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the gentleman 
from North Carolina (Mr. Price) for as much time as he may consume.
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague (Ms. 
Fudge) for yielding, and I thank her and Mrs. McMorris Rogers for their 
support of H. Res. 1242 and their help in bringing it to the floor.
  I am the proud sponsor of this resolution, which congratulates the 
Duke University men's basketball team for winning the 2010 NCAA 
Division I National Championship. I have introduced the resolution as 
the Member of this body privileged to represent Duke University, and 
I'm pleased to say that it has the support of the entire North Carolina 
delegation.
  From its roots as tiny Trinity College in 1838 to its current status 
as one of the world's premiere research and educational institutions, 
Duke University, like its basketball team, is a testament to the 
virtues of hard work, determination, and excellence--in the classroom, 
in the community, and in Cameron Indoor Stadium as well.
  I actually have the distinction, not always enviable, of representing 
both sides of college basketball's most intense rivalry. UNC-Chapel 
Hill is just down the road from Duke. It's also in the Fourth District. 
I've had an interesting vantage point, having attended UNC and having 
taught at Duke. Trust me, I understand the importance of team loyalties 
to Members of Congress, and I also understand the need, occasionally, 
to balance these loyalties. But I think we can all agree today that the 
Blue Devils should be commended, and they should be commended 
unanimously, for reaching this pinnacle of men's college basketball.
  At the risk of stoking the flames, let me just talk about the record 
for a moment. I'd be remiss if I didn't remind my colleagues that the 
Duke Blue Devils have a long history of success at men's basketball. 
They've played in 15 Final Fours, and this is their fourth title win in 
the last two decades.
  Despite this record, the team wasn't favored to win a national 
championship at the beginning of this season. But they peaked at the 
right time. They finished the year with 10 straight wins. They shared 
the ACC regular season championship and won outright the ACC tournament 
championship and the national championship. They finished the season 
with a 35-5 record, a tie for the most wins this season nationally.
  This improbable end to this season underscores that anything is 
possible in basketball as in politics. It's also a testament to the 
very idea of what a team should be, greater than the sum of its parts, 
an idea Duke teams have long exemplified.
  I will enclose in the Record at the end of this statement the full 
roster of this remarkable team, the men on the team and their 
hometowns.
  Special credit is due to head coach Mike Krzyzewski, known far and 
wide as Coach K, who's built one of college basketball's most stellar 
programs since he came to Duke in 1980. This season Coach K brought his 
overall record to 868-279. He won his 77th NCAA tournament game, and he 
won his fourth national championship. Needless to say, this places this 
Hall of Famer in elite company. Only Adolph Rupp and John Wooden have 
won an equal or greater number of national championships.
  But his achievements have not been bounded by the baselines of the 
court. Coach K's success is about mentoring young men, about coaching 
them to succeed, not just on the court, but also in the classroom and 
in life. His teams consistently uphold a high standard of academic 
excellence, achieving a graduation success rate of 92 percent and 
boasting a strong tradition of Academic All-Americans.
  Each step of the way the team was buoyed by its fans, its incredible 
fans--the Cameron Crazies, they're called--who make Duke's Cameron 
Indoor Stadium one of the toughest places to win in the country. That 
again proved true this year when the Blue Devils went undefeated on 
their home court.
  This year's national championship game was considered by many to be 
one of the closest and most exciting title games in tournament history. 
It literally came down to the last shot.
  Butler University and Coach Brad Stevens are also to be congratulated 
for their strong season and for their effort in a title game that 
reminded us anew of why the American people simply can't resist March 
Madness. Both teams deserve recognition for their dedication to 
sportsmanship and fair play throughout the entire season.
  So it's a unique privilege, Madam Speaker, to introduce, I have to 
note for the second year in a row, the resolution in this body 
recognizing the NCAA Men's Basketball National Champion. And I'd like, 
Madam Speaker, for the Record to reflect that I'll be perfectly happy 
to introduce such a resolution again next year.
  In the meantime, I and Duke's many friends and alumni in this body 
look forward to welcoming the Blue Devils to the White House and to 
Capitol Hill.

       Duke Blue Devils Roster 2009-2010 Season:
       #2 Nolan Smith--Upper Marlboro, MD
       #3 Seth Curry--Charlotte, NC
       #5 Mason Plumlee--Warsaw, IN
       #12 Kyle Singler--Medford, OR
       #20 Andre Dawkins--Chesapeake, VA
       #21 Miles Plumlee--Warsaw, IN
       #30 Jon Scheyer--Northbrook, IL
       #34 Ryan Kelly--Raleigh, NC
       #41 Jordan Davidson--Melbourne, AR
       #42 Lance Thomas--Scotch Plains, NJ
       #51 Steve Johnson--Colorado Springs, CO
       #52 Todd Zafirovski--Lake Forest, IL
       #53 Casey Peters--Red Bank, NJ
       #55 Brian Zoubek--Haddonfield, NJ

                              {time}  1415

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. 
Pence) for such time as he may consume.
  (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)

[[Page H2544]]

  Mr. PENCE. I rise today to begrudgingly support this resolution and 
offer my congratulations to Duke, Coach K, and to all of those 
outstanding players for the NCAA men's national championship game.
  Now that being said, I would be remiss, since I will have been 
married 25 years to a graduate of Butler University, to fail to also 
rise and commend Coach Brad Stevens and the small but mighty basketball 
team that America became enamored of in this year's tournament, simply 
known as ``Them Dogs'' back in Indiana and the Butler University 
Bulldogs to the rest of the country.
  Taking nothing away from Duke, an outstanding university and an 
outstanding program, or Coach K, I have to tell you I was especially 
moved when I think it was the day before the basketball game when there 
was all of the talk about David and Goliath, all the talk of underdogs, 
and Coach K, being the class act that he is, went before the national 
press and said, Enough of this talk about underdogs. Butler is a really 
good basketball team. And anyone who tuned in that night--and my ears 
are still ringing from Mrs. Pence's enthusiasm that night--saw that the 
case was proved.
  Ultimately, Duke carried the day, but with the news that coach Brad 
Stevens has signed a long-term contract to stay in Indiana--and I think 
we're only losing one player next year--I say to my distinguished 
colleagues, representing and speaking on behalf of Duke, See you next 
year. Congratulations.
  Ms. FUDGE. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the gentlewoman 
from California (Ms. Richardson) for 3 minutes.
  Ms. RICHARDSON. I rise today to congratulate the Duke University 
men's basketball team for winning the 2010 Division I National 
Championship and in support of H. Res. 1242.
  Now, after listening to talk about ``Them Dogs'' and the ``Blue 
Devils,'' being a Bruin and a Trojan myself, I thought we needed to 
weigh in and extend our congratulations.
  This spectacular season by the Duke Blue Devils capped by a 
thrilling, hard-fought victory against the Butler Bulldogs in the NCAA 
tournament finals last Monday night is another proud chapter in Duke's 
very long history of success. As a graduate of both UCLA and USC--and 
that's USC, University of Southern California, not University of South 
Carolina--as I found since coming to Congress here--I'm a former 
basketball player and I understand what it takes in terms of hard work, 
intense focus, and a tireless dedication required by both players, team 
members and the university itself.
  Particularly when we look at the Duke men's basketball team that, as 
has already been stated, has 15 Final Four appearances, 11, I believe, 
under the name of Coach K, when you consider that accomplishment, it 
will long be filled with the histories of college basketball, of the 
incredible commitment that this university has done not only on the 
court but off the court as well.
  When I look at Coach K and we hear about all of his commitment to his 
players and we consider his record, the fourth national championship 
and how Coach K has now tied Adolph Rupp, I would like to point out, 
though, that he still has six more to catch my alma mater, which is 
John Wooden of UCLA. But we welcome that challenge.
  In addition, when we talk about Coach K, Mr. Pence talked about his 
mentorship, and I read a little bit about his commitment, of being a 
role model and the positive impact he wants to have on young men--not 
only with Duke University but the other young men who were watching how 
Duke played and were carrying themselves.
  But, finally, I would like to commend Congressman David Price not 
only for sponsoring this resolution but for his success, something many 
of us in Congress could figure out how to do, how he can represent both 
the Duke Blue Devils and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels who 
won the championship last year, as he mentioned.
  Any college basketball fan knows that the Duke-UNC rivalry is only 
second to the UCLA-USC rivalry. And I've got to tell you, it's tough 
living in my household having those battles. It takes exceptional skill 
and diplomacy to successfully represent both ends of Tobacco Road, 
skills that my colleague from North Carolina possesses in abundance.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Congressman Price. 
And in terms of the resolution next year, I'm willing to wager a bet.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. I would like to yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton).
  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Let me just say that I am a great admirer of 
Duke University. I lean a little more toward Butler since I'm from 
Indianapolis, Indiana, and I thought Duke played a great game. And I 
want you to know, there is no truth to the rumor that Butler 
intentionally missed that last basketball shot because they didn't want 
to hurt Duke's feelings. Are you listening over there?
  Anyhow, congratulations to Duke University and to Butler University. 
Butler is a very small school. It's a private school in Indianapolis, 
and for them to reach the final game in the national championship is a 
real tribute not only to the school and the players but to a great 
young coach who's only been coaching for 3 years. And of course the 
Duke Blue Devils are always tough, and I'm very proud to say we want to 
congratulate them. But the Bulldogs did a great job. They were a great 
team, and next year we're going to get them.
  Mr. McHENRY. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1242, 
a resolution congratulating the Duke University Men's Basketball team 
for winning the 2010 NCAA National Championship. As a cosponsor of H. 
Res. 1242, I would like to commend my colleague from Chapel Hill, Mr. 
Price, for bringing this bipartisan resolution to the floor today, 
particularly since he previously served as a Professor in Political 
Science at Duke before coming to Congress.
   On Monday, April 5, 2010, the Duke Blue Devils outlasted an 
outstanding team from Butler University by a score of 61-59 to win the 
NCAA National Championship. In the closest National Championship game 
played since 1989, the Blue Devils--with the starting line up of Jon 
Scheyer, Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith, Lance Thomas, and Brian Zoubek--
captured the school's fourth national title behind the leadership of 
Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski.
   Madam Speaker, the Blue Devils finished the season with a record of 
35-5, and on the way to the National Championship, they set a school 
record in home victories by going undefeated with a mark of 17-0 at 
historic Cameron Indoor Stadium. Furthermore, Duke won a share of the 
Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season championship with a record of 
13-3 and won a record 18th ACC Tournament title.
   While this National Championship was truly a team effort, it is 
difficult to overlook the individual contributions that guided this 
championship run. Kyle Singler was named Final Four Most Outstanding 
Player and ACC Tournament MVP. Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith were also 
named to the all-tournament team, and Brian Zoubek averaged 10 rebounds 
per game throughout the NCAA Tournament. These contributions, among 
many others, led the Blue Devils to the championship.
   Madam Speaker, in his 30th year at the helm of the Blue Devils, Head 
Coach Mike Krzyzewski coached his 1,000th game at Duke, led the Blue 
Devils to his 11th Final Four appearance--tying the legendary North 
Carolina Coach Dean Smith--and 8th National Championship game 
appearance. In leading Duke to the 2010 National Championship, Coach K 
tied legendary Kentucky Coach Adoph Rupp with four national 
championships.
   During his time at Duke, Coach K has built a program that embraces 
the idea of the student-athlete. In addition to the numerous athletic 
accomplishments, the Blue Devils have also excelled in the classroom. 
In a study conducted by the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport 
at the University of Central Florida, the Duke Blue Devils achieved a 
92% graduation rate, ranking Duke among the highest of the 65 schools 
that qualified for the 2010 NCAA Tournament.
   Madam Speaker, I believe Duke students, alumni, and fans in my 
Congressional District in Western North Carolina--as well as across the 
state and nation--can take pride in the accomplishments made by the 
2009-2010 Duke Blue Devils. This team represented Duke University, the 
State of North Carolina, and the ACC in a way that truly embodies the 
spirit of college athletics. I urge all of my colleagues to support H. 
Res. 1242.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. I yield back the balance of our time.
  Ms. FUDGE. Madam Speaker, I ask support for House Resolution 1242, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by

[[Page H2545]]

the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Fudge) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1242.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. 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.

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