[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 110 (Monday, July 26, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H6010-H6011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATING UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

  Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1456) congratulating the University of Dayton 
men's basketball team for winning the 2010 National Invitation 
Tournament basketball championship.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1456

       Whereas, on April 1, 2010, the University of Dayton Flyers 
     men's basketball team won its third National Invitation 
     Tournament basketball championship in school history;
       Whereas the University of Dayton Flyers men's basketball 
     team won their first National Invitation Tournament 
     basketball championship in 1962, and their second in 1968;
       Whereas the University of Dayton Flyers men's basketball 
     team has 40 all-time victories in the National Invitation 
     Tournament, second only to St. John's University in Queens, 
     New York;
       Whereas the University of Dayton Flyers men's basketball 
     team has three regular season conference championships and 
     one conference tournament championship since joining the 
     Atlantic 10 Conference in 1995;
       Whereas in addition to their success on the court, the 
     University of Dayton men's basketball team upholds a high 
     standard of academic excellence, achieving an overall 
     graduation success rate of 100 percent every year since Brian 
     Gregory was named head coach in 2003;
       Whereas the University of Dayton Flyers men's basketball 
     team won the championship game by defeating the 2009 NCAA 
     Tournament National Champion University of North Carolina Tar 
     Heels 79 to 68;
       Whereas the roster of the championship Flyer team included 
     Mickey Perry, London Warren, Rob Lowery, Chris Johnson, Dan 
     Fox, Josh Parker, Paul Williams, Luke Fabrizius, Luke 
     Hendrick, Logan Nourse, Marcus Johnson, Chris Wright, Devin 
     Searcy, Matt Kavanaugh, Peter Zestermann, Kurt Huelsman, and 
     Josh Benson;
       Whereas head coach Brian Gregory and his coaching staff, 
     including assistant coaches Billy Schmidt, Jon Borovich, and 
     Cornell Mann, director of basketball operations Matt Farrell, 
     strength and conditioning coach Mike Bewley, and athletic 
     trainer Nate Seymour deserve tremendous credit for their 
     outstanding determination and accomplishments; and
       Whereas the students, alumni, administration, faculty, and 
     supporters of the University of Dayton are to be 
     congratulated for their loyalty and pride in their 
     championship caliber basketball team: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the University of Dayton men's basketball 
     team for winning the 2010 National Invitation Tournament 
     Division I men's basketball championship; and
       (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, 
     students, and support staff who were instrumental in the 
     Flyers' victory.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Polis) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado.


                             General Leave

  Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 
1456 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. POLIS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1456, 
which congratulates the University of Dayton men's basketball team for 
winning the 2010 National Invitation Tournament Basketball 
Championship. The N.I.T. is the oldest tournament in college 
basketball. Started in 1938, it was the first postseason collegiate 
basketball tournament to be played in the country, 1 year before the 
NCAA.
  The Dayton Flyers claimed victory over last year's champs, the 
University of North Carolina Tar Heels, with a 79-68 win that Thursday 
night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It was the Flyers' 
first N.I.T. title in 42 years and their third in University of 
Dayton's history. Additionally, this was Dayton's 22nd appearance in 
the N.I.T., second only to St. John's at 27.
  This Dayton men's basketball season marked Head Coach Brian Gregory's 
seventh season with the Flyers. He led the time to the 2004 NCAA 
tournament and the 2009 NCAA tournament as well as the 2008 N.I.T.
  Dayton players showed excellent offense against the Tar Heels. 
Reserve guard Paul Williams scored 16 points for Dayton, while Chris 
Wright and Chris Johnson both had 14 points for the Flyers. With a 
strong lineup, Dayton beat four teams from major conferences en route 
to the championship.
  I also want to congratulate the Flyers for their excellence off the 
court. The Dayton team had a 100 percent graduation rate in 2010, a 
rate they have maintained every year since Brian Gregory was named head 
coach in 2003. I join the students, alumni, faculty, and staff at the 
University of Dayton in celebrating these impressive student-athletes.
  Madam Speaker, I once again congratulate the Dayton Flyers on winning 
the 2010 National Invitation Tournament, and I thank Representative 
Turner for bringing this resolution forward.

[[Page H6011]]

  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1600

  Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 1456, congratulating the 
University of Dayton's men's basketball team for winning the 2010 
National Invitation Tournament basketball championship.
  On April 1, 2010, the University of Dayton Flyers defeated the 
University of North Carolina Tarheels 79-68 in the finals of the 
National Invitation Men's Basketball Tournament. The Flyers men's 
basketball team now holds 40 all-time victories in the National 
Invitation Tournament, or NIT, the second-most victories in tournament 
history.
  Flyers Coach Brian Gregory led the team to victory in his seventh 
season as Dayton's head coach, every season of which has been a winning 
season. Head Coach Brian Gregory has also led the team to two NCAA 
tournaments and two National Invitation Tournaments.
  Flyers player Chris Johnson earned the 2010 NIT most outstanding 
player, and Marcs Johnson was selected to the NIT All-Tournament team. 
The Dayton Flyers finished the 2009-2010 season with 29 wins and 14 
losses, ending the season with the team's third NIT title.
  Although we are celebrating the University of Dayton's athletic 
excellence, we should take a moment to recognize the quality of the 
University of Dayton's academic programs as well. The University of 
Dayton is a top-tier national doctoral-level university, and one of the 
10 best Catholic universities in the Nation, according to U.S. News & 
World Report.
  Founded in 1850, the University of Dayton's offerings include 70 
high-quality undergraduate programs in four divisions and graduate 
programs at the master's and doctoral level, as well as a law degree. 
The largest private university in Ohio, the University of Dayton, is a 
leader in higher education. So I extend my congratulations to 
University of Dayton President Daniel Curran, Head Coach Brian Gregory 
and his staff, the hardworking players, and of course the fans. I wish 
all continued success and ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the author of 
the resolution, a representative of Dayton and surrounding areas in 
Ohio, Mike Turner.
  Mr. TURNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Resolution 1456, congratulating the University of Dayton men's 
basketball team for winning the 2010 National Invitation Tournament 
basketball championship.
  This past season, the Dayton Flyers men's basketball team won its 
third NIT championship in school history. The team won the championship 
on April 1, defeating the 2009 NCAA Tournament national champion North 
Carolina Tarheels 79-68. The University of Dayton men's basketball team 
is second in all-time wins in the NIT with 40.
  In addition to their success off the court, as has been stated, the 
University of Dayton academically is also very successful with its 
student athletes. The men's basketball team upholds a high standard of 
academic excellence. The program has graduated every senior student 
athlete since Brian Gregory was named head coach in 2003, including 
seven players this season. But in addition, UD graduated 96 percent of 
all its student athletes in 2008, the most of any Atlantic 10 
Conference school, and it tied for 10th in the Nation.
  In 2006, the Savior of Our Cities national survey of community 
revitalization ranked the University of Dayton number one among 
Catholic universities and number three overall in helping save 
America's cities from blight. They are very active in our community 
revitalization. The University of Dayton is also a center of research 
excellence, with UDRI being a major contributor to research that 
affects our national security.
  Not only does the men's basketball program serve as a significant 
aspect of campus life, it also plays a major role in bringing people 
from the surrounding area into the city. The Flyers men's basketball 
team has been one of the biggest sports attractions in the Dayton area 
for years. Since UD Arena opened in 1969, Dayton has been in the NCAA's 
top 35 in home attendance every season. This past season, the Flyers 
led the Atlantic 10 Conference in attendance for its 13th straight 
season.
  The University of Dayton is one of the 10 largest Catholic schools in 
the United States and is the largest of the three Marianist 
universities in the Nation. The students, alumni, administration, 
faculty, and supporters of the University of Dayton are to be 
congratulated for their loyalty and pride in their championship-caliber 
basketball team.
  I would like to thank my Ohio colleagues, all of whom are original 
cosponsors of this resolution. As a proud alumnus of the University of 
Dayton MBA program, I urge all of my colleagues to support this 
resolution congratulating the University of Dayton's men's basketball 
team on their successful season.
  Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. POLIS. Once again, I congratulate the Dayton Flyers on winning 
the 2010 NIT tournament, and I thank Representative Turner for bringing 
this resolution forward.
  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 Colorado (Mr. Polis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1456.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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