[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 1] [Senate] [Pages 626-627] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]SENATE RESOLUTION 14--COMMENDING THE GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY EAGLES FOOTBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2000 NCAA DIVISION I-AA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Mr. CLELAND (for himself, and Mr. Miller) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 14 Whereas Georgia Southern University is a member of the Southern Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-AA and the Conference's champion for 4 consecutive years; Whereas in 2000, Georgia Southern captured its second consecutive and a record-setting sixth overall Division I-AA national title; Whereas Head Coach, Paul Johnson, has won numerous Coach of the Year awards during his career; has a 50-8 win-loss record at Georgia Southern, which is one of the best records in college football; and had 13 first-year starters in the 2000 season but was still able to win 13 games on the way to another national championship; Whereas junior running back, Adrian Peterson, ran for 148 yards in the championship game, which marked the 43rd consecutive game in which he rushed for 100 or more yards; Whereas the students, alumni, and supporters of Georgia Southern University, as well as the community of Statesboro, are to be congratulated for their unshakable commitment to the Georgia Southern University football team; and Whereas their Division I-AA national championships in 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1999, and 2000, as well as their place as runner-up in 1988 and 1998, make the Georgia Southern University program the most successful college football program in Division I-AA football history: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Senate-- (1) commends the Georgia Southern University Eagles football team for winning the 2000 NCAA Division I-AA collegiate football national championship; (2) recognizes the achievements of all the players, coaches, and support staff who were instrumental in helping Georgia Southern University win the 2000 NCAA Division I-AA collegiate football national championship and invites them to the United States Capitol Building to be honored; (3) requests that the President recognize the accomplishments and achievements of the 2000 Georgia Southern football team and invite them to Washington, D.C. for a White House ceremony for national championship teams; and (4) directs the Secretary of the Senate to make available enrolled copies of this resolution to Georgia Southern University for appropriate display and to transmit an enrolled copy of the resolution to each coach and member of the 2000 NCAA Division I-AA collegiate national championship football team. Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the Georgia Southern University football team for their second consecutive and sixth overall NCAA's Division I-AA football national championship. In addition to the record number of National Championships, Georgia Southern has captured four consecutive Southern Conference titles. Never in the history of Division [[Page 627]] I-AA has there been such a successful football program and I see no end to their success in the future. Among the many players and coaches who were honored this year was Coach Paul Johnson who was recognized as the American Football Coaches Association's 2000 Regional Coach of the Year. Another notable performance was that of junior running back Adrian Peterson who completed his 43rd consecutive game rushing for more than 100 yards--including 152 yards against the much larger school, the University of Georgia and 148 yards against Montana in the National Championship game. Much credit is due to all the players-- offense, defense and special teams--who made this wonderful season possible. While the Eagles had just two losses this season--one to rival Furman and the other to the Division I-A opponent the University of Georgia-- they had an impressive list of victories this season, including: a 57- 12 victory over Johnson C. Smith; a 24-17 victory over Wofford; a 31-10 victor over Chattanooga; a 56-3 victory over VMI; a 42-24 victory over Western Carolina; a 34-28 victory over Appalachian State; a 27-10 victory over the Citadel; a 42-7 victory over East Tennessee State; and a 32-9 victory over Elon. Additionally, in the post season, Georgia Southern defeated: McNeese State 42-17; Hofstra 48-20; Delaware 27-18; and finally, Montana 27-25 for the National Championship. Mr. President, at this time, I would like to recognize all the 2000 Georgia Southern football team for their dedication to the team and their commitment to the hard work it takes to win a national championship: Derek Adams, T.J. Anderson, Mike Anderson, Brad Bird, Rob Bironas, Chris Blount, Bubba Brantley, James Burchett, Travis Burkett, Victor Cabral, P.J. Cantrell, Charles Clarke, Edmund Coley, Paul Collins, Dreck Cooper, Reggie Cordy, Melvin Cox, Leonard Daggett, Devin Danridge, Kevin Davis, Dietrich Everett, Hakim Ford, Nate Gates, Justin Godsey, Ryan Hadden, Eric Hadley, Travis Hames, Winston Hardison, Kevin Heard, Nick Heuman, Sean Holland, Dallas Horne, Donte Hunter, Trey Hunter, Eric Irby, Chris Johnson, Titus Johnson, Willie Johnson, Jamar Jones, Josh Jones, Nick Kearns, Tom LaRocco, Robert LeBlanc, Robert Locke, Basail Mack, James McCoy, Jim McCullough, Chad McDonald, Eric McIntire, Jesse McMillan, Corey Middlebrooks, Steven Moore, Phillip Mouzon, Mark Myers, Jason Neese, Derrick Nobles, Chris O'Neil, Carlton Oglesby, Terry Owens, Kevin Patterson, Freddy Pesqueira, Adrian Peterson, Lavar Rainey, J.R. Revere, Matt Rio, Aundra Robinson, Elliott Rogers, Darryl Rountree, Anthony Scott, Joe Scott, Scott Shelton, Mike Stewart, Dion Stokes, Taqua Thrasher, Gino Tutera, Zzream Walden, Michael Ward, Andre Weathers, Sid Wildes, Anthony Williams, Chaz Williams, Derrick Williams, Tyrie Williams, Verge Williams, Justin Wright, Brian Young, David Young, James Young and Mike Youngblood. Finally, I would like to offer my thanks and congratulations to the people of Georgia Southern--the students, alumni, supporters, faculty, staff as well as the community of Statesboro. As you well know, this championship could not have been accomplished without your unshakable commitment to the football program last year and the many previous years. I am proud of all the Eagle players and coaches and I am proud to say the most successful football team in Division I-AA is still in Statesboro, Georgia. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the resolution be printed in the Record. ____________________