    [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 19, 2025)]
    [Senate]
    [Page S1043]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

       SENATE RESOLUTION 85--CONGRATULATING THE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY
                  TIGERS FOR WINNING THE 2024 CELEBRATION BOWL

      Mr. WICKER (for himself and Mrs. Hyde-Smith) submitted the following
    resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                                   S. Res. 85

           Whereas, on Saturday, December 14, 2024, the Jackson State
         University football team won the 2024 Celebration Bowl, which
         is played every year between the conference champions of the
         Southwestern Athletic Conference and the Mid-Eastern Athletic
         Conference;
           Whereas the Celebration Bowl is widely respected as a
         national title game for Historically Black Colleges and
         Universities, succeeding the previous Pelican Bowl and
         Heritage Bowl;
           Whereas the Jackson State University Tigers defeated the
         South Carolina State University Bulldogs 28-7 and claimed the
         Celebration Bowl trophy for the first time in program
         history;
           Whereas the Jackson State University football team only
         lost 2 games during the 2024 college football season,
         finishing the season with a record of 12-2 and the first-
         ranked team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference;
           Whereas the Jackson State University football team averaged
         36.43 points per game during the 2024 season;
           Whereas the Jackson State University football team
         completed a ground-breaking run through the postseason,
         finishing on top of 17 other universities in the Southwestern
         Athletic Conference and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference;
           Whereas running back Travis Terrell Jr. was named the 2024
         Southwestern Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and
         Special Teams Player of the Year;
           Whereas running back Irv Mulligan was named the
         Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the
         Year;
           Whereas head coach T.C. Taylor was named the Southwestern
         Athletic Conference Head Coach of the Year;
           Whereas head coach T.C. Taylor, having led the Jackson
         State University football team for 2 seasons as its 22nd head
         coach, carried the team to a 19-6 record for the past 2
         seasons;
           Whereas the Jackson State University football team's home
         stadium, the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, honors
         military veterans and their families who have sacrificed
         their lives in service to the State of Mississippi and the
         United States; and
           Whereas the Jackson State University football team
         displayed outstanding dedication, teamwork, and
         sportsmanship, bringing tremendous pride and honor to--
           (1) Jackson State University;
           (2) loyal fans of the Jackson State University Tigers; and
           (3) the entire State of Mississippi: Now, therefore, be it
           Resolved, That the Senate--
           (1) congratulates Jackson State University, as well as its
         athletes, coaching staff, administration, faculty, students,
         and alumni, for winning the 2024 Celebration Bowl;
           (2) recognizes Jackson State University for its excellence
         as an institution of higher education; and
           (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate
         transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
           (A) the president of Jackson State University, Dr. Marcus
         L. Thompson;
           (B) the athletic director of Jackson State University,
         Ashley Robinson; and
           (C) the head coach of the Jackson State University football
         team, T.C. Taylor.

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