[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 168 (Friday, December 17, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H8611-H8612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  0950
             COMMENDING THE WISCONSIN BADGER FOOTBALL TEAM

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1767) commending the Wisconsin Badger football team 
for an outstanding season and 2011 Rose Bowl bid.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1767

       Whereas the Wisconsin Badgers completed a dominant regular 
     season, winning the Big Ten Title, finishing 11 and 1, and 
     earning a bid to the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2011;
       Whereas the annual Rose Bowl is the oldest of all college 
     bowl games, and its history and prestige have earned it the 
     title ``The Granddaddy of Them All'';
       Whereas the Rose Bowl was first played in 1902 and since 
     1945 has been the highest attended college football bowl 
     game;
       Whereas University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Biddy 
     Martin has exhibited strong leadership for the University of 
     Wisconsin and an unyielding commitment to academic excellence 
     for its student athletes;
       Whereas Athletic Director Barry Alvarez, a three-time Rose 
     Bowl winning coach, helped lead the Badgers back to Pasadena, 
     California;
       Whereas Head Coach Bret Bielema showed tremendous 
     leadership, guiding the Badgers to an outstanding 11 and 1 
     season;
       Whereas the Badgers have achieved an outstanding overall 49 
     and 15 record under Coach Bielema's tenure;
       Whereas Offensive Coordinator Paul Chryst, a finalist for 
     the Broyles Award as the Nation's top assistant coach, leads 
     a prolific Badger offense, which ranks in the top 20 
     nationally in scoring, rushing, and total offense;
       Whereas the Badgers defeated the number one ranked Ohio 
     State Buckeyes, 31 to 18, on a warm fall night in Madison, 
     Wisconsin;
       Whereas this contest featured an electrifying opening 
     kickoff return for a touchdown by David Gilreath, a play that 
     will go down in Camp Randall Stadium history;
       Whereas one week after defeating Ohio State, the Badgers 
     dug deep to win at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, 
     despite missing several key players due to injury;
       Whereas senior quarterback Scott Tolzien, the most accurate 
     passer in college football, won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm 
     Award for his on-field performance, as well as his character;
       Whereas for a second consecutive season, the Badger 
     football team features 22 players that were selected to the 
     Academic All-Big Ten team, surpassing the previous record of 
     19 set in 2007, Coach Bielema's second season;
       Whereas senior offensive lineman Gabe Carimi won the 
     Outland Trophy, an honor given to the best interior lineman 
     in college football, in addition to being selected to the 
     Academic All-Big Ten Team as a civil engineering major;
       Whereas senior defensive end J.J. Watt is an Academic All-
     Big Ten Team selection, and winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy, 
     awarded nationally to a defensive player for his athletic, 
     academic, and community achievements;
       Whereas the Wisconsin Badgers had six offensive linemen 
     selected to the All-Big Ten Team, when only five players 
     start at the position;
       Whereas the Wisconsin Badgers are the least penalized team 
     in the United States, displaying remarkable discipline and 
     leadership on the field;
       Whereas Texas Christian University has also earned a Rose 
     Bowl bid after a successful season;
       Whereas the University of Wisconsin looks forward to 
     badgering the Horned Frogs on New Year's Day; and
       Whereas Wisconsin Badger fans sold out Camp Randall for the 
     entire season and are known for their loyal and fervent 
     support: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the Wisconsin Badger football team for an 
     outstanding season and 2011 Rose Bowl bid;
       (2) applauds Coach Bret Bielema for his leadership not only 
     on the football field, but also in the community; and
       (3) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, 
     students, alumni, and staff who were instrumental in helping 
     the Wisconsin Badgers make it to Pasadena, California.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Holt) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 1767 in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HOLT. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1767, which 
commends the Wisconsin Badger football team for an outstanding season 
and a 2011 Rose Bowl bid. I present this resolution on behalf of 
Representative Baldwin. Representative Baldwin introduced this, and it 
is supported by others from the Badger State.
  The Wisconsin Badgers just completed a dominant regular season, 
winning the Big Ten title, finishing 11-1, and earning a bid to the 
Rose Bowl game on New Year's Day 2011.
  The Rose Bowl is the oldest of all college football bowl games, first 
played in 1902. Since 1945, it has been the most highly attended 
college football bowl game in the country.
  I would like to extend my congratulations to the University of 
Wisconsin-Madison chancellor, Biddy Martin; three-time winning Rose 
Bowl coach and athletic director, Barry Alvarez;

[[Page H8612]]

and Head Coach Bret Bielema, for their outstanding season.
  The Badgers have achieved an outstanding overall 49-15 record under 
Coach Bielema's tenure. For a second consecutive season, the Badger 
football team features 22 players selected to the Academic All-Big Ten 
team, surpassing the previous record of 19 set a few years ago. The 
team also--and this is worth noting--is the least penalized team in the 
United States, displaying remarkable discipline and leadership on the 
field.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Representative Baldwin for 
introducing this resolution and once again express my support for House 
Resolution 1767.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 1767, a resolution 
commending the Wisconsin Badger football team for an outstanding season 
in the 2011 Rose Bowl bid.
  The 2010 Wisconsin Badgers finished the regular season with a 
sterling 11-1 record, were co-champions of the Big Ten conference, and 
earned a trip to the Rose Bowl. The path to the Rose Bowl started 
early, with a victory over the number one-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in 
a nationally televised game, and the season just got better from there.
  The Badgers were a prolific offensive machine, averaging 45.2 points 
per conference game. It was the second highest per game total in 
conference history. Numerous players earned spots on the All-American 
teams for their performances on the field this year, including Gabe 
Carimi, John Moffitt, Lance Kendricks, J.J. Watt, and Johen Clay. 
Carimi was named winner of the prestigious Outland Trophy, an award 
given every year to the Nation's best interior lineman.
  Of course, all these accomplishments would not have been possible 
without their head coach, Bret Bielema. Bielema's achievements have 
also been recognized, as he was recently named a finalist for the Bear 
Bryant Award, the award given the top college football team in the 
country.
  We wish the Badgers the best of luck on January 1, and I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the gentlewoman from 
Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin), the author of this resolution, for such time 
as she may consume.
  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
1767, a resolution commending the Wisconsin Badger football team for an 
outstanding season and for their 2011 Rose Bowl bid.
  The Wisconsin Badgers completed a terrific regular season and won the 
Big Ten title. They finished their season 11-1. They are the least 
penalized team in the country. The Badger offense ranks in the top 20 
nationally in scoring, rushing, and total offense. Twenty-two Badger 
players were selected to the Academic All-Big Ten Team. And even more 
exciting, our Wisconsin Badgers earned a well-deserved bid to the Rose 
Bowl on January 1, 2011.
  It has been a pleasure for me to watch our Badger football team excel 
this season. I know I am joined by fans at home in Wisconsin and, 
indeed, alumni and fans around the country in feeling great pride in 
the University of Wisconsin-Madison and this stellar accomplishment. It 
is true that our football team enjoys very loyal and fervent support 
from fans and alumni. Badger fans sold out Camp Randall Stadium for the 
entire season. And what a season it was.
  My colleagues may remember a warm night in October when the Badgers 
defeated the number one-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes 31-18. It was really 
an incredible game. I'll never forget the opening kickoff return by 
David Gilreath for a touchdown. And after the game, fans rushed to the 
field in a sea of red. What a game.
  The following week, the Badgers barnstormed into Iowa and beat a 
strong Hawkeyes team in an inspiring comeback. The Badger defense 
cemented the 1-point win with a key defensive stand.
  The Badgers' success on the field is guided by strong guidance from 
University of Wisconsin leaders. I would like to acknowledge a few key 
folks who have contributed to this outstanding season. University of 
Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin has exhibited incredibly 
strong leadership for the University of Wisconsin. Chancellor Martin 
displays an unyielding commitment to academic excellence for 
Wisconsin's student athletes and is assuredly a big reason behind this 
great season.
  I also want to acknowledge Athletic Director Barry Alvarez, a three-
time Rose Bowl-winning coach, who had a strong hand in helping lead the 
Badgers back to Pasadena, California.
  And, of course, we are grateful to the strong leadership of Head 
Coach Bret Bielema, who showed tremendous resolve in guiding the 
Badgers to an outstanding 11-1 season. Indeed, the Badgers have 
achieved a stellar 49-15 record overall during Coach Bielema's tenure. 
In addition to his prowess on the field, Coach Bielema is a leader in 
his community. He does tremendous work to promote breast cancer 
awareness and survival.
  In addition, our Badger defensive coordinator, Paul Chryst, is a 
finalist for the Broyles Award as the Nation's top assistant coach.
  Football fans watch the game because of the skill and talent of the 
players. At Wisconsin, we're lucky enough to have the privilege of 
watching players on the field who also show exceptional leadership off 
the field.
  Senior quarterback Scott Tolzien, the most accurate passer in college 
football, won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award for his on-field 
performance as well as his character.
  Senior defensive end J.J. Watt is an academic All-Big Ten Team 
selection and winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy, awarded nationally to a 
defensive player, for his athletic, academic, and community 
achievements.
  And senior offensive lineman Gabe Carimi won the Outland Trophy, an 
honor given to the best interior lineman in college football, in 
addition to being selected to the Academic All-Big Ten Team as a civil 
engineering major.
  As my colleagues know, the annual Rose Bowl game is the oldest 
college bowl game and its history and prestige have earned it the title 
of ``The Granddaddy of Them All.'' This 2011 Rose Bowl bid is exciting 
for the Wisconsin Badgers as well as TCU, Texas Christian University, 
who we will meet in Pasadena. Wisconsin looks forward to ``badgering'' 
the Horned Frogs on New Year's Day.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1767, which recognizes the 
achievements of the players, coaches, students, alumni, and staff who 
were instrumental in helping the Wisconsin Badgers make it to Pasadena, 
California. Regardless of your political affiliation or football 
allegiance, there's always an open invitation from the Wisconsin 
Badgers to ``teach you how to Bucky.''
  We'll see you in Pasadena. On Wisconsin!
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, but I would like to congratulate the Wisconsin football team. 
It's difficult for me to be here because they destroyed my small school 
this year, Austin Peay, but we do appreciate the large check you sent 
us.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I ask passage of this bill, H. Res. 1767, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1767.
  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. HOLT. Mr. 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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