[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 6 (Monday, January 11, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12-S13]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY BISON FOOTBALL TEAM
Mr. HOEVEN. Madam President, while I have the floor, if I might, I
wish to shift gears. I know the Presiding Officer is a sports fan and
that in her State they have many wonderful sports teams--football,
basketball, and certainly the University of Iowa had an outstanding
year this year. I certainly wish to commend them, compliment them on
their great team. As a matter of fact, the team I am going to talk
about next is going to play that team. I think it is our first or
second game of the year next year. I am looking forward to it. I know
the Presiding Officer is looking forward to it very much as well, when
the North Dakota State University Bison play the University of Iowa. I
don't know if the Presiding Officer is--I am sure she is a fan of the
University of Iowa and Iowa State and Northern Iowa. They are all great
sports programs. I don't know which one is her favorite and may not
want to say, but we played Iowa State a few years ago. We play Northern
Iowa every year. We have a great rivalry with Northern Iowa. Northern
Iowa has a wonderful program--football and basketball. We enjoy playing
them every year. This year it looks like they have a very good
basketball team and are to be commended on beating North Carolina, the
Tar Heels. We will certainly
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want to mention that to our colleagues. I am sure the Presiding Officer
probably already has. North Dakota State plays Iowa every year and
played Iowa State a few years back and we are very much looking forward
to playing the University of Iowa.
I wish to take a minute to speak about a resolution I will submit. I
am going to talk about it now. The resolution is on behalf of the North
Dakota State University Bison, which won a historic fifth consecutive
NCAA Division I FCS national football championship on Saturday. Led by
coach Chris Klieman, quarterback Carson Wentz, and a solid defensive
effort, the Bison clinched the title 37 to 10 over a very talented team
from Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks were truly great opponents. They
played a fine game, and we congratulate them on a tremendous season as
well.
With Saturday's win, the Bison became the first football team in the
modern era of college football to win five consecutive championships--
five titles in a row. The championships aren't won in a single game but
as a result of years of hard work. The Bison overcame injury and
adversity to make it back to the title game, and we are tremendously
proud of our team, our players, the program, and all of their
accomplishments.
It was a thrill for my wife Mikey and me to join Bison Nation down in
Frisco. The game was in Frisco, TX--a wonderful venue for the game.
Having a dedicated fan base helped make their stadium feel a lot like
one of our home games at the FARGODOME. It is an amazing experience.
The game started with a flyover of a B-52 bomber from the Minot North
Dakota Air Force Base. In addition to the thousands of dedicated NDSU
fans, Thundar, the Bison mascot, and Corso, an actual bison--an
unofficial mascot of the team--made the 1,000-mile trek down to Texas.
The Bison had a loyal crew cheering them on, and it helped make this
``drive for five'' season very memorable.
Five championships in a row is unprecedented. I want to congratulate
the entire Bison community--NDSU's leaders, the coaches, the staff, and
these tremendous student athletes, as well as Bison Nation, a wonderful
loyal following wherever the Bison team goes.
In recognition, I will submit the following resolution in their
honor:
Whereas the North Dakota State University (referred to in
this preamble as ``NDSU'') Bison won the 2015 National
Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble
as the ``NCAA'') Division I Football Championship Subdivision
title game in Frisco, Texas, on January 9, 2016, in a
decisive victory over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks by a
score of 37 to 10;
Whereas NDSU has won 13 NCAA football championships;
Whereas NDSU has now won five consecutive NCAA Football
Championships since 2011, an extraordinary and record-setting
achievement in modern collegiate football history;
Whereas the NDSU Bison have displayed tremendous resilience
and skill over the past 5 seasons, with 71 wins to only 5
losses, including a streak of 33 consecutive winning games;
Whereas thousands of Bison fans attended the championship
game, reflecting the tremendous spirit and dedication of
Bison Nation that has helped propel the success of the team;
and
Whereas the 2015 NCAA Division I Football Championship
Subdivision title was a victory not only for the NDSU
football team, but also for the entire State of North Dakota:
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) congratulates the North Dakota State University Bison
football team as the 2015 champion of the National Collegiate
Athletic Association Division I Football Championship
Subdivision;
(2) commends the North Dakota State University players,
coaches, and staff for their hard work and dedication on a
historic season and for fostering a continuing tradition of
athletic and academic excellence; and
(3) recognizes the students, alumni, and the loyal fans who
supported the Bison in their quest to capture a fifth
consecutive Division I national championship trophy for North
Dakota State University.
With that, I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
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