[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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