[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 10 (Thursday, January 18, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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    SENATE RESOLUTION 527--TO COMMEND AND CONGRATULATE THE HARDING 
   UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2023 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE 
         ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. BOOZMAN (for himself and Mr. Cotton) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 527

       Whereas, on December 16, 2023, the Harding University 
     Bisons football team (referred to in this preamble as the 
     ``Bisons'') won the 2023 National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association (referred to in this preamble as the ``NCAA'') 
     Division II national championship;
       Whereas the Bisons defeated Colorado School of Mines 38-7 
     at McKinney Independent School District Stadium in McKinney, 
     Texas;
       Whereas this was the first time the Bisons ever competed 
     for an NCAA Division II national championship;
       Whereas the Bisons are the first Arkansas college sports 
     team to win an NCAA Division II football national 
     championship, and 1 of only 6 college football programs in 
     Arkansas to win a national championship;
       Whereas the Bisons completed a perfect season, winning all 
     15 games played in the 2023 season;
       Whereas the Bisons rushed for a season total of 6,160 
     yards, becoming the first team at any level of NCAA football 
     to rush for over 6,000 yards in a single season;
       Whereas Bisons player Blake Delacruz rushed for 212 yards 
     on 27 carries, breaking the NCAA Division II championship 
     game record for rushing yards;
       Whereas Paul Simmons became the Bisons head coach in 2017, 
     was named the 2023 National Coach of the Year by 
     D2Football.com, and under his leadership, the team--
       (1) has gained a 65-13 overall record, making Simmons 
     Harding University's fastest head football coach to obtain 65 
     career wins;
       (2) won the 2021 and 2023 Great American Conference 
     championship and has never finished lower than second in the 
     conference;
       (3) has reached the NCAA Division II playoffs 5 times, 
     compiling an 8-4 record and reaching the national semifinals 
     in 2017, the Super Region 3 semifinals in 2021, and winning 
     the NCAA Division II national championship game in 2023, 
     marking Simmons as the only active coach in the Great 
     American Conference to have more than 1 NCAA II playoff win;
       Whereas the dedication and hard work of the players, coach 
     Paul Simmons, and his staff, as well as the enthusiastic 
     support of alumni, fans, and the Searcy community, where 
     Harding University resides, were all critical to the Bisons' 
     success; and
       Whereas the Bisons' coaches, players, and support staff 
     should all be congratulated and celebrated for their 
     accomplishments and commitment to their school, team, and 
     community: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends and congratulates the Harding University 
     football team on winning the 2023 National Collegiate 
     Athletic Association Division II national championship and 
     completing a perfect season;
       (2) recognizes the achievements, excellence, dedication, 
     and teamwork of the Harding University football team; and
       (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) the head coach of the Harding University football team, 
     Paul Simmons;
       (B) the president of Harding University, Dr. Michael D. 
     Williams; and
       (C) the athletic director of Harding University, Jeff 
     Morgan.

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