[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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