[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 6, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATING THE BALTIMORE RAVENS

  (Mr. RUPPERSBERGER asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
world champions of football, the Baltimore Ravens. On February 3, the 
Vince Lombardi Trophy returned home to ``Charm City.'' Like Coach 
Harbaugh said, the win wasn't pretty, it wasn't perfect, but it was 
Baltimore.
  We overcame the doubts of a Nation. Baltimore was just an 
afterthought, playing against a 3\1/2\-point favorite.
  We overcame injury. Bernard Pollard, our safety, played with not one, 
not two, not three, not four, not five, but six broken ribs throughout 
the season.
  We overcame an agonizing 34-minute delay, when we seemed to lose not 
only power in the stadium but the wind in our sails.
  We overcame a second-half surge that left us screaming at our 
televisions, from Dundalk to Havre de Grace.
  I watched the game with my family and my 92-year-old mother, and even 
she was fired up. The team stuck together and got it done.
  I want to congratulate the owner, Steve Bisciotti, a class act who 
does so much for our city on and off the field. Also, Ravens President 
Dick Cass and General Manager Ozzie Newsome, who has the greatest mind 
in football. And, of course, the players--especially No. 52, Ray Lewis, 
and No. 5, Joe Flacco, who won the MVP of the game.
  Last Sunday, the lights were out in the Superdome for awhile, but at 
the end of the day, it was just lights out for the 49ers. Baltimore 
cannot be more proud to welcome our players and the Vince Lombardi 
Trophy back home.
  I also want to say that our leader, Nancy Pelosi, who is homegrown 
Baltimore, now a 49ers fan, did accept the defeat with her regular 
class and dignity.

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