[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 113 (Thursday, July 29, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H6449-H6450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING UNITED STATES MEN'S SOCCER TEAM

  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1527) congratulating the United States Men's 
National Soccer Team for its inspiring performance in the 2010 FIFA 
World Cup.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1527

       Whereas the United States Men's National Soccer Team made 
     the Nation proud and impressed fans around the world with 
     steadfast play and an impressive performance in the 2010 FIFA 
     World Cup;
       Whereas the team won its group in the FIFA World Cup for 
     the first time since 1930;
       Whereas Nacogdoches, Texas, native Clint Dempsey scored a 
     goal against England in the opening match to ensure a tie;
       Whereas Landon Donovan of Redlands, California, and Michael 
     Bradley of Manhattan Beach, California, each scored goals 
     against Slovenia to tie the match and put the United States 
     in position to advance to the second round with a win over 
     Algeria;
       Whereas the team advanced to the Round-of-16 with a 1-0 
     victory over Algeria, the first FIFA World Cup victory for 
     the United States in 8 years and its fifth shutout in FIFA 
     World Cup play;
       Whereas Landon Donovan clinched the victory over Algeria 
     with the second of his three goals in the 2010 FIFA World Cup 
     in dramatic fashion in the first minute of added time 
     following 90 minutes of exhausting play by both sides;
       Whereas Landon Donovan now holds the all-time United States 
     records for FIFA World Cup career appearances at 12 and FIFA 
     World Cup career goals at 5;
       Whereas the United States demonstrated that it can compete 
     with the elite soccer programs in the world; and
       Whereas the team's achievement reflects the growth in 
     popularity of soccer in the United States and the importance 
     of athletic participation for building character and 
     confidence in the Nation's youth: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the United States Men's National Soccer 
     Team for its historic performance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup;
       (2) recognizes the United States Men's National Soccer Team 
     head coach Bob Bradley of Manhattan Beach, CA, the team's 
     coaching, training, and administrative personnel, and each of 
     the players for their tenacious play and dedication to 
     excellence, including Tim Howard of North Brunswick, New 
     Jersey, Jonathan Spector of Arlington Heights, Illinois, 
     Carlos Bocanegra of Alta Loma, California, Michael Bradley of 
     Manhattan Beach, California, Oguchi Onyewu of Olney, 
     Maryland, Steve Cherundolo of San Diego, California, DaMarcus 
     Beasley of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Clint Dempsey of Nacogdoches, 
     Texas, Herculez Gomez of Las Vegas, Nevada, Landon Donovan of 
     Redlands, California, Stuart Holden of Houston, Texas, 
     Jonathan Bornstein of Los Alamitos, California, Ricardo Clark 
     of Jonesboro, Georgia, Edson Buddle of New Rochelle, New 
     York, Jay DeMerit of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Jose Torres of 
     Longview, Texas, Jozy Altidore of Boca Raton, Florida, Brad 
     Guzan of Homer Glen, Illinois, Maurice Edu of Fontana, 
     California, Robbie Findley, of Phoenix, Arizona, Clarence 
     Goodson of Alexandria, Virginia, Benny Feilhaber of Irvine, 
     California, and Marcus Hahnemann of Seattle, Washington; and
       (3) commends the United States Soccer Federation, the 
     United States Soccer Foundation, and coaches and parents of 
     young soccer players around the country for their role in the 
     success of soccer in the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Chu) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cao) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. CHU. 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 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  On behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I 
present H. Res. 1527 for consideration. This measure congratulates the 
United States Men's National Soccer Team for its inspiring performance 
in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
  Mr. Speaker, with this resolution, we express our great pride in our 
Nation's performance in this year's FIFA World Cup. Its stunning win 
over Algeria on June 23 marked the first time that the U.S. won first 
place in its group since 1930. Cheers erupted all over the country as 
forward Landon Donovan scored the winning goal in the 91st minute of 
play, in what may have been the most dramatic moment in the history of 
the team.
  The U.S. team also played well in its matches against England and 
Slovenia, with goals scored by Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, and 
Michael Bradley, ensuring the team would have the chance to advance to 
the second round of the Cup. The team, comprised of excellent players 
from around the country, demonstrated that the U.S. can compete at 
elite levels with the top teams of the world, and it is fitting that we 
should congratulate them on their historic performance today.
  H. Res. 1527 was introduced by our colleague, Representative Louie 
Gohmert of Texas, on July 15, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by 
unanimous consent on July 28, 2010. It enjoys the bipartisan support of 
50 cosponsors.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CAO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H. Res. 1527, Congratulating the United 
States Men's National Soccer Team for its inspiring performance in the 
2010 FIFA World Cup.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I stand before this body to 
commend the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team on their truly amazing 
performance in this year's FIFA World Cup.
  I would also like to commend my distinguished colleague from Texas, 
Mr. Gohmert, for introducing this resolution that recognizes the men 
who represented our Nation on soccer's grandest stage. And I thank the 
gentleman from Texas for allowing me to be a cosponsor on his 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, our men's soccer team competed admirably and played 
their way to a 1, 1 and 2 record, earning them a chance to play in the 
elite `Round-of-16'. While all of the players on our national soccer 
team deserve praise for their performance, one player in particular 
earned the right to receive special recognition for his efforts.
  Landon Donovan's performance not only helped his team to advance deep 
into the World Cup but his performance as an individual earned him a 
place in U.S. soccer history. Mr. Donovan now holds the U.S. World Cup 
record for most matches played, 12, most goals scored, 5 and the most 
consecutive games with a goal, 3.
  Mr. Donovan's goal in the 91st minute of the match against Algeria, 
allowed the U.S. to win ``Group C'' and gave the team it's first World 
Cup Group first place finish since 1930. The win over Algeria was also 
the U.S.'s first victory since the 2002 World Cup and gave our team 
it's fifth shutout in FIFA World Cup play.
  Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team proved that the U.S. 
can compete at the international level with the most elite teams in the 
world. I am truly proud of the team's players, coaches, training 
personnel and administrative staff who all worked and competed 
tirelessly to be the best they could be, and represent our great 
country to the rest of the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in strong support of H. 
Res. 1527.
  Mr. CAO. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert) 
as much time as he may consume.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I do thank my friend from California and my 
friend from Louisiana.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution for the wonderful, 
outstanding job the United States Men's National Soccer Team did in 
representing this country.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1527 to 
congratulate the United States Men's National Soccer Team for its 
valiant performance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
  In a country where baseball is said to be the National pastime and 
the NFL draws the largest TV viewership, this year's World Cup team 
showed Americans how exciting the game of Soccer can be. As our United 
States team seemed to overcome insurmountable obstacles, the American 
spirit showed through time and time again. When all seemed lost against 
Algeria, and the prospects of even moving out of group play seemed dim, 
Landon Donovan scored a goal that will be on highlight reels for years 
to come. That goal ensured that the team would win its group in the 
FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1930.

[[Page H6450]]

  I was a judge for many years, and part of my job was to discern right 
from wrong, and I can unequivocally say many of the calls that went 
against the US team were dubious at best. But did our players quit? No, 
just the opposite. In circumstances that would cause many teams to hang 
their heads, quit and look for someone to blame, they showed their 
resolve to represent America well and show the rest of the world the 
values that we as Americans stand for. Despite two goals being wiped 
off the scoreboard, our players rose to the challenge, took the game 
into their own hands and displayed their indomitable spirit.
  It was in these times of perseverance and fortitude that I couldn't 
help but be proud as an American and proud to be represented by the 
fine players on our team. When these guys put on their red, white and 
blue jerseys they represented more than themselves, more than their 
team, they represent a nation. A nation that prides itself on the 
things that our founders spelled out in our Declaration of Independence 
and our Constitution. Though we did not achieve the ultimate goal of 
winning the World Cup, our team handled themselves with class. We owe a 
debt of gratitude to each and every one of them for their hard work in 
preparation for this tournament and for also representing us as a 
nation so very well.
  I would also like to recognize my constituents and members of the 
United States Men's National Soccer team, Clint Dempsey of Nacogdoches 
and Francisco Jose Torres of Longview, on their performances in the 
World Cup.
  Clint Dempsey began kicking a soccer ball around in the Texas town of 
Nacogdoches with his family and neighborhood children. He attended 
Furman University in South Carolina and was a star player--starting 61 
out of 62 games and scoring 17 goals. After college, Clint joined the 
Boston based-New England Revolution, an American Major League Soccer 
club. He was named the MLS Rookie of the Year for 2004 after having a 
spectacular first season playing 24 of 30 games and scoring 7 goals. He 
led the Revs to three Major League Soccer Cup playoffs in 2005, 2006 
and 2007. At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, he won the Honda Player of 
the Year for 2006, the highest individual honor in USA soccer, for 
being the only American player to score in the tournament. He has also 
been awarded the 2007 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year and the FIFA 
Confederations Cup Bronze Ball in 2009 for his performance during the 
Confederations Cup Final against Brazil. On June 12, 2010, Clint 
Dempsey scored a goal in an intense opening match against England to 
insure a 1-1 tie during the World Cup in South Africa. Clint or 
``Duece,'' as many of his teammates know him, is known for his 
toughness, dribbling abilities, and versatility on the field.
  Jose Francisco Torres grew up in Longview and attended Longview High 
School. He joined Pachuca, a Mexican football team that competes in the 
Mexican Primera Division, where he won a championship in 2007 and 
appeared in all three matches at the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup. He was 
also a member of the United States team in the 2008 Beijing Summer 
Olympics. During the 2010 World Cup, the young, quick midfielder 
appeared during the Slovenia v. U.S. game. He is a star on the rise of 
whom East Texas is extremely proud as are all Americans. We wish both 
men the best of luck in their future endeavors. They are local as well 
as national heroes and role models to many aspiring young soccer 
players.
  Although our U.S. team didn't prevail in our final game, the teamwork 
and passion inspired millions of Americans and speaks volumes about 
soccer in the United States. We offer our thanks and congratulations 
the United States Men's National Soccer Team, and know that all members 
of Congress will likely be supporting this resolution.
  Mr. CAO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, again, I would like to urge my colleagues to 
join me in congratulating the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team for their 
inspiring World Cup performance.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1527.
  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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