[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 18, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H1917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM FOR 
                   WINNING THE 2012 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Kentucky (Mr. Chandler) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CHANDLER. Mr. Speaker, I am the proud sponsor of a resolution 
congratulating the University of Kentucky Men's Basketball team for 
winning the 2012 NCAA championship.
  Since the days of Adolph Rupp, the University of Kentucky Wildcats 
have been a part of the fabric of our Commonwealth, and the success of 
this year's team will be remembered for generations to come.
  The University of Kentucky boasts one of the proudest and most 
celebrated basketball programs in the whole country. As an alumnus, I 
may be biased on this point, but I also believe that the statistics 
speak for themselves.
  The UK Wildcats are the winningest team in the history of college 
basketball and have won the second most national championships. They've 
appeared in more NCAA tournaments and won more games in the tournament 
than any other team.
  Even in the great tradition of Kentucky basketball, this year's team 
was special. They shattered the NCAA record for shots blocked and set a 
new record for single season wins with 38 victories. The Wildcats 
dominated the NCAA tournament with a combination of explosive offense, 
suffocating defense, and team chemistry.
  This season wouldn't have been possible without Head Coach John 
Calipari, known far and wide as Coach Cal. Although known as a skilled 
tactician and recruiter, the key to Coach Cal's success has always been 
how much he cares about his players.
  He mentors these young men so they are primed to succeed, both on and 
off the court, and I think I can speak for all Wildcat fans when I say 
that we hope to see him on the sidelines at Rupp Arena for many years 
to come.
  From top to bottom, every member of this team played an important 
role in their drive to the championship, but there are three players in 
particular that deserve special recognition.
  Anthony Davis had one of the most remarkable college basketball 
seasons in recent memory, winning eight National Player of the Year 
awards and setting an NCAA record for most blocks in a season by a 
freshman.
  Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was unquestionably the heart and soul of the 
team.
  And Darius Miller, a native of Mason County and former Mr. Kentucky 
Basketball, ended his stellar career on a high note by setting a school 
record for most appearances in a Kentucky uniform and joining the 
prestigious 1,000-point club.
  Finally, this team was supported every step of the way by its fans, 
the Big Blue Nation, who made Rupp Arena one of the toughest places to 
play in the country. They prove time and time again why Kentucky is the 
best State for college basketball.
  This year was an especially proud year for the Commonwealth of 
Kentucky, as we sent two teams to the Final Four. I want to 
congratulate the University of Louisville Cardinals and Head Coach Rick 
Pitino on an outstanding season and a hard-fought rivalry game that 
lived up to its immense hype.
  I also commend the University of Kansas and The Ohio State University 
on their terrific years and for making it all the way to New Orleans.
  As the Member privileged to represent the University of Kentucky, I 
am honored to introduce this resolution today, and I look forward to 
welcoming the Wildcats to Washington next month.

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