[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H4304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            RESTORE THE ROAR

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. James) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JAMES. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to say something that possibly 
no one in this Chamber's storied history has ever said: The Detroit 
Lions are the best team in football--you heard me--at least after week 
one.
  The Detroit Lions went into Arrowhead Stadium last week, faced the 
2023 Super Bowl champions, and walked away with a W.
  Now, it used to be considered child abuse to turn your children into 
Lions fans. I have three little boys: John, 9, Hudson, 8, and 
Christian, 4. We all love the Lions.
  Detroit football is back. When was the last time the Detroit Lions 
were the first team to score in the NFL season? When was the last time 
that on third and short, we actually ran the ball and made a first 
down? When was the last time there was a team on fourth and 25, deep in 
their own territory in the fourth quarter, and it not be the Detroit 
Lions?
  This is an indication that we have turned a new leaf, and the good 
days are ahead.
  I am 42, and this might be the best year in my football life after 
the Michigan Wolverines have beaten the Ohio State Buckeyes 2 years in 
a row and the Detroit Lions have only lost two games since last 
October.
  Now, of course, we need to keep winning under our boy Dan Campbell's 
outstanding leadership and his staff, but I know our boys in southeast 
Michigan have what it takes to win.
  The Detroit Lions' very first game at Ford Field is this Sunday, and 
Lions fans, I need you to make this the loudest game in Ford Field 
history, even louder than we were when we played the Bears in 2011 on 
Monday Night Football. Let's show up and show out.
  Lions, I love you. Keep grinding. Let's restore the roar. Let's go 
17-0 and not just win the NFC North title but the whole doggone thing. 
Let's win the Super Bowl.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank you for wearing Honolulu blue. Oh, shoot. He is 
gone. Well, I appreciate you wearing blue today for the Lions, Mr. 
Yakym. Go Lions.

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