[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 6 (Thursday, January 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S81]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY JACKRABBITS ON WINNING 
 THE 2024 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I FOOTBALL 
                     CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION TITLE

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, winter in South Dakota can be tough going, 
but no matter how low the temperatures go or how high the snowbanks 
rise, you can count on South Dakota sports fans coming out to support 
local athletes. After all, there are games, tournaments, and trophies 
on the line this time of the year. For sports fans like me, there is no 
better place to be than on the sidelines cheering for South Dakota's 
athletes.
  This year, we have not been disappointed. On Sunday, the South Dakota 
State University football team won its second consecutive national 
title. That is right--the Jackrabbits are back-to-back FCS champions.
  This Jacks team has a lot of talent and an awful lot to be proud of. 
Sunday's win closed out SDSU's first undefeated season as a Division I 
program. They now boast a 29-game winning streak--the third longest in 
FCS history.
  Their defense was impenetrable this season, allowing an average of 
just 9.27 points per game and allowing just 15 points to be scored 
against them in four postseason games. I want you to think about that. 
When you get into the postseason, these are the playoffs. These are the 
best teams. In the four postseason games that they played, including 
the national title game, they gave up a total--total--of just 15 
points.
  I think that record of accomplishment this year was perhaps best 
personified in the title game, when Montana was driving the ball in the 
first quarter down in SDSU territory, and they had a fourth and goal at 
the 1-yard line, and the SDSU defense made a stand. In an iconic play, 
linebacker Adam Bock stopped the Montana ball carrier at the 1-yard 
line, stood him up, and took him down before the ball could cross the 
end zone and give them a touchdown. The Jacks got the ball back, and 
from then, it was on to a 23-to-3 victory.
  Jacks quarterback Mark Gronowski won the Walter Payton Award for 
outstanding offensive player--the first SDSU player to win this award--
and I don't believe there was a close second. He was richly deserving 
of it. Gus Miller, center, from Brookings, SD, won the Rimington Award 
for best FCS center--also incredibly well-deserved.
  As one reporter put it, ``This team is just dynamite.'' I couldn't 
agree more. Their hard work and commitment to each other and to the 
team has brought them success this year, and Jacks nation is incredibly 
proud of them.
  I want to congratulate the Jackrabbits players, coaches, and staff on 
this incredible championship season. There is much to celebrate now, 
but I am sure Coach Rogers will soon have the team working hard again 
to keep that winning streak going.
  Mr. President, at this point, I want to recognize the South Dakota 
State University Jackrabbits football team by entering a resolution 
into the Congressional Record.
  I would ask, as in legislative session, unanimous consent the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 519, which is at the desk.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 519) congratulating the South Dakota 
     State University Jackrabbits on winning the 2024 National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football 
     Championship Subdivision title.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. THUNE. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered 
made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Lujan). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res 519) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  On page S81, January 11, 2024, third column, the following 
appears: The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Lujan). Without objection, it 
is so ordered. (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in 
today's Record under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')
  
  The online Record has been corrected to read: The PRESIDING 
OFFICER (Mr. Lujan). Without objection, it is so ordered. The 
resolution (S. Res 519) was agreed to. The preamble was agreed to. 
(The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today}s Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')


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