[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 208-211]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATING OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY BUCKEYES FOOTBALL TEAM

  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 10) congratulating the Ohio State University 
football team for winning the 2002 NCAA Division I-A collegiate 
football national championship.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H. Res. 10

       Whereas in 2002, the Ohio State University Buckeyes 
     football team captured its fifth undisputed collegiate 
     national football championship;
       Whereas The Ohio State University is a member of the Big 
     Ten Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association Division I-A and in 2002 was the Conference's 
     champion for the 29th time in school history;
       Whereas The Ohio State University's 14-0 record in 2002 is 
     the best for a season for a Division I-A football team in 
     national college football history;
       Whereas on the way to the national championship Ohio State 
     defeated five nationally ranked opponents, which included a 
     14-9 triumph over the University of Michigan;
       Whereas The Ohio State University entered the Fiesta Bowl 
     as an 11-point underdog to a University of Miami team that 
     was on a 34-game winning streak, yet emerged victorious;
       Whereas Head Coach Jim Tressel has won five national 
     college football championships, the 2002 championship being 
     his first Division I-A title and his first with The Ohio 
     State University;

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       Whereas Coach Tressel and his father Lee Tressel are the 
     only father-son combination to each win National Coach of the 
     Year honors and a national championship in football;
       Whereas each player, coach, trainer, and manager dedicated 
     their time and effort to ensuring that the Buckeyes reached 
     the pinnacle of team achievement;
       Whereas The Ohio State University Marching Band, and the 
     cheerleaders, students, alumni, faculty, and supporters of 
     The Ohio State University are to be congratulated for their 
     commitment and pride in the Buckeyes' football program; and
       Whereas its five Division I-A football national 
     championships makes the Ohio State University football 
     program among the most successful in college football 
     history: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the Ohio State University football team 
     for winning the 2002 NCAA Division I-A collegiate football 
     national championship;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of all the players, 
     coaches, and support staff who were instrumental in helping 
     The Ohio State University win the 2002 NCAA Division I-A 
     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 2002 Ohio State 
     University football team and invite them to Washington, D.C., 
     for a White House ceremony for national championship teams; 
     and
       (4) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     make available enrolled copies of this resolution to The Ohio 
     State University for appropriate display and to transmit an 
     enrolled copy of the resolution to each coach and member of 
     the 2002 NCAA Division I-A collegiate football national 
     championship team.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Tiberi) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi).


                             General Leave

  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H. Res. 10.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  As a member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, it is a 
privilege to manage this resolution today on behalf of the committee 
and for my neighbor and colleague from Columbus, Ohio (Ms. Pryce), a 
graduate of the Ohio State University, on the new reigning NCAA 
national champions of college football, congratulating the Ohio State 
University on a great season and a great title game.
  The gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce), a huge Buckeye fan, represents 
the main campus of the Ohio State University and could not be with us 
today because of leadership obligations.
  I, as the other Member of Congress from Columbus, Ohio, have a 
privilege to manage this resolution today honoring our great football 
team and a tremendous season, a true story of David versus Goliath, 
with 13 seniors and many young players on a team in an incredible 
season, unprecedented season, 14 and 0.
  Ohio State brought home its fifth national championship, Mr. Speaker, 
a classic season and a classic final game for the ages.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of H. Res. 10, congratulating Ohio State University 
for winning the NCAA Division I football championship.
  Last Friday, Ohio State captured its fifth national football 
championship, winning one of the most closely fought college football 
games in recent memory. College football fans, student athletes and the 
general public were treated to an exciting Fiesta Bowl and end to this 
college football season.
  I want to extend my hearty congratulations to head coach Jim Tressel, 
Ohio State University president Karen Holbrook, and Ohio State's 
student athletes for a job very well done.
  I also want to extend my congratulations to the University of Miami 
and their student athletes for a great season. The University of Miami 
won all of their games during the regular season and produced two 
leading Heisman trophy contenders in Ken Dorsey and William McGahee. I 
know that I speak for all of this Congress as we wish Mr. McGahee a 
speedy and thorough recovery from the knee injury he sustained during 
the game.
  Winning a championship has brought national acclaim to Ohio State 
University, and I hope the fans at the university and the university 
community treasures this moment for many, many years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to 
the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the chairman of 
the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
  Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, let me thank my colleague the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi) from Columbus, Ohio, and an Ohio State grad and 
a former member of the Ohio State marching band for bringing this 
resolution to the floor today, and let me say I support the underlying 
resolution, support and congratulate the Ohio State University on what 
really was an outstanding season, not only for the coach and the 
players, the fans, but for all who watched Ohio State go through a 
number of games where it was very close, games that they were certainly 
about to lose, including the national championship.
  As an old football player myself, I can tell my colleagues the game 
on January 3, the national championship game, was one of the most 
exciting football games that I have ever watched or one that I ever 
played in.
  The real credit here goes to Coach Jim Tressel and his players. They 
did not have the most talented team in the country, not even close, and 
to win all of the close games all year is a sign of very good coaching 
and players who come together to create a very good team, and so for 
myself and my colleagues, our delegation, we want to congratulate the 
Ohio State University, the coach Jim Tressel, the players and all the 
fans.
  Way to go, Bucks.
  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley), the chairman of the Committee on 
Financial Services, and a Ohio State University Law School graduate.
  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time, and this is indeed a proud day for all Buckeyes. This has been 
quite a season to see in the ups and downs, and to see this talented 
group of athletes, student athletes, under the leadership of Coach Jim 
Tressel was a memorable time for all of us and to see an underdog team 
perform so well in the Fiesta Bowl for the national championship, with 
a crowd that was probably 80 to 85 percent made up of scarlet and gray 
was truly amazing, and as the coach said after the game, he felt that 
the crowd, very strong crowd, from Ohio State truly made a difference 
in the outcome, and for that, we are very, very pleased.
  The gentleman from Columbus mentioned that I was an Ohio State law 
grad. That is correct. It is also true that of the four branch campuses 
of the Ohio State University, I represent three, in Mansfield and Lima 
and Marion. I have had a long-standing relationship with that great 
university, and we have seen perhaps the culmination of a season, like 
no other, where we have won 14 games, including the national 
championship.
  The last one we won was January 1 of 1969, when I was a senior at 
Ohio State Law School and got to see Ohio State defeat Southern 
California. If the gentlewoman from California is listening, we beat 
USC for the national championship. So Woody Hayes is smiling somewhere 
today because Ohio State is back on top, and for that we are very, very 
grateful.
  I thank the gentleman from Columbus for his leadership in this area.

[[Page 210]]

  As an Ohio State football fan since I was boy, I never thought I'd 
say this, but there is something bigger than the Michigan game.
  Ohio State has a great football history. Going into this year 4 
consensus National Championships. 28 Big Ten Championships. 13 Rose 
Bowl appearances. 6 Heisman Trophy Winners.
  But I doubt there will ever be a single game that matches what 
happened last Friday night at the Fiesta Bowl when the Buckeyes 
defeated the Miami Hurricanes, 31-24 in overtime, to win their first 
undisputed national championship since the 1968 team.
  I was a student at the Ohio State's law school back then and never 
dreamed I'd have to wait this long to see the Buckeyes win another 
championship. But in exchange for a little patience and few frustrating 
years against our neighboring state to the north, Ohio State fans were 
able to watch our team play and win the greatest college football game 
in history.
  Under legendary coach Woody Hayes, the Buckeyes usually went into 
games as the favorites. This time, the experts said Ohio State was 
overmatched. But Coach Jim Tressel knew that all any team needs to do 
to win, is make plays. The plays were unforgettable--and there were so 
many of them!
  Maurice Clarett's strip after a crucial Miami interception. Michael 
Doss's pick-off. Matt Wilhelms's crushing sack. Craig Krenzel's 
miraculous 4th-and-14 completion in overtime and his quarterback sneak 
for the touchdown. And the final goal line stand by a valiant defense.
  I salute Miami's effort, and you can see why they were the defending 
champions. But we in Ohio are proud that the Buckeyes won and ever 
prouder of the way they won: with determination, passion, and courage. 
This is a team that taught all of us a lesson, and the lesson is: it's 
only over when you stop trying.
  I don't want to wait another 34 years to see Ohio State play for 
another national championship. But my heart may need that long to 
recover from this one!

                              {time}  1530

  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the chairman of the Committee on Financial Services 
mentioned that he represents three of the four branch campuses. I 
happen to represent the fourth, in Newark, Ohio. So I believe we have 
the State covered, Mr. Chairman.
  The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner) mentioned that Coach Jim 
Tressel has truly reinvigorated the football program at Ohio State and 
the fans around the State of Ohio, but also his belief in college 
football and what it means to the student athlete, the importance of 
teamwork and sportsmanship, school spirit and heart; and he was 
recognized this week as coach of the year by the American Football 
Coaches Association, a truly well-deserved honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Springfield, Ohio (Mr. Hobson), who is a distinguished law school 
graduate from Ohio State University.
  Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I represent a large part of Franklin County. 
I would like to thank the gentleman from Columbus for his leadership on 
this bill. As a former band member, I guess he learned how to march 
pretty well; and he has done a good job here in Congress.
  It was a great game, and both teams need to be congratulated for 
playing an outstanding game, one of the best traditions in competition. 
There were no penalties, as I recall, for any unnecessary roughness or 
unsportsmanlike activities in that game. It was true champions going at 
each other.
  In the final analysis, the champion was Ohio State University. Ohio 
State University is a champion in many ways, not just in football but 
in a lot of other endeavors as a university. It is an outstanding 
university in this country, and it has been my pleasure to work with 
them on a number of things.
  I think there was a time when many people said to themselves, golly, 
I wonder if this new coach can coach at this level in the Big Ten. 
Well, I think that has all been put to rest. He is a national coach 
today. He has a national reputation. And he has shown what a true 
gentleman can do in recruiting and in coaching this young team to the 
success that they had this year. He has built a successful football 
team without sacrificing strong beliefs in the importance of academics 
for his players. His leadership has paid off with the Buckeyes' having 
a championship to show for it and memories of a game that people and 
sports writers are already calling one of the greatest college football 
games in history.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I would like to quote something that 
Coach Tressel said. He said, I believe an accurate quote, ``We have 
always known we had the best damn band in the land. Now we know we have 
the best damned team in the land.'' With that, Go Bucks!
  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time to close.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  As my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hobson), mentioned, he 
also represents Franklin County. We also have the gentlewoman from Ohio 
(Ms. Pryce), who represents Franklin County, and as I said represents 
the main campus of Ohio State University, but could not be with us on 
the floor today because of leadership duties. But again, on behalf of 
the entire Ohio delegation, we want to again congratulate Ohio State 
University and all of the Buckeye nation for a fantastic season and a 
well-deserved honor.
  As a native of Columbus and an Ohio State graduate and a 4-year 
member of the Ohio State Marching Band, I want to also congratulate the 
rest of the folks at Ohio State; not just the team, but the band, the 
cheerleaders, the entire athletic department, the student athletes who 
represent other sports, and the students as well of Ohio State 
University for such a fine honor, as well as to again salute Coach 
Tressel and the entire organization not only in winning the 
championship but doing it with class.
  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, it was with some reluctance that I voted for 
the OSU resolution.
  Much has been said today about the quality of the Ohio State players, 
coaches, and fans. However, nothing has been said about the refs.
  After watching the game I too, wondered about the refs and their 
ability to be employed in the future. I was pleased to see that they 
seemed to be in action just a couple days later during the San 
Francisco-N.Y. Giants game on Sunday.
  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
pay special tribute to The Ohio State University football team. On 
January 3rd they finished their season by beating the then number 1 
ranked Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl. This resulted in their 
winning the Division 1-A College Football National Championship. This 
is the university's first title since 1968. Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, 
the Buckeyes are the first Big 10 team to win the crown since the Bowl 
Championship Series was implemented in 1998.
  The amount of time and effort Coach Tressel, his staff, and the team 
put into this feat is a tribute to the proud tradition boasted by The 
Ohio State University. They have proven that even the most difficult 
goals can be reached through hard work, sacrifice, and dedication.
  Mr. Speaker, Jim Tressel is the only coach currently in his 
profession to win national titles in both Division 1-AA and now 
Division 1-A. He won four national titles while coaching at Youngstown 
State and now has his first at Ohio State. His steadfastness toward 
education and the discipline he demands off the field is a formula to 
which all coaches should aspire. His win last Friday validates so much 
more than what a strong defense can do for a team. It shows that 
character, planning, and responsible decision-making are what really 
matters in the end. Coach Tressel has built an organization that has 
taken The Ohio State University back to greatness both on and off the 
football field. On behalf of Ohio's Fifth Congressional District, I 
congratulate him, his coaches, and the team on a job well done.
  Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, it is with tremendous pride that I 
offer this resolution, which congratulates the Ohio State Buckeyes on 
their historic win against the Miami Hurricanes in claiming the 2002 
Division 1-A national collegiate football championship.
  Mr. Speaker, the Buckeyes steadily rose through the national rankings 
this year under the unwavering leadership of their second year head 
coach, Jim Tressel. Starting the season ranked an unlucky 13th, the 
Buckeyes kept winning and winning, ending up the regular season by 
beating archrival Michigan 14-9, remaining undefeated and ranked 2nd in 
the country.

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  Their record earned Ohio State a trip to Tempe, Arizona to play in 
the Bowl Championship Series national championship game against the 
Miami Hurricanes, a game in which the Buckeyes entered as an 11 point 
underdog.
  In that national championship game, ultimately decided in double 
overtime Ohio State emerged victorious with their offense scoring 31 
points and their defense holding Miami for four downs on the two yard 
line as time expired to win the game. Critics and sportswriters have 
already called this game arguably the greatest college football game 
ever played.
  The Buckeyes found a breathtaking way to end an equally dramatic 
season.
  From their fourth-down play successes to their 8 come-from-behind 
victories, Ohio State showed their hearts on the field and won a record 
setting 14 victories.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take a moment to recognize Coach 
Tressel, who is in his second year as the Head Coach of the Ohio State 
Buckeyes. Coach Tressel's stoic, disciplinarian, and consistent style 
of leadership has restored the Buckeye team to its rightful place among 
the nation's elite college programs. And, in the process, Coach Tressel 
has instantly joined coaches Woody Hayes and Paul Brown in the annals 
of Ohio State's proud athletic history. In two short seasons, Coach 
Tressel has demonstrated that winning is innate--whether at Division 1-
AA (Division 1 double A) Youngstown State or the Ohio State University.
  However, the 2002 Buckeye team was perhaps best personified by junior 
quarterback Craig Krenzel. The consistently under-rated Krenzel, a 
molecular genetics major carrying a 3.7 GPA, displayed a grit and 
toughness equal to his intellect by scoring two dramatic touchdowns, 
leading both teams in rushing yards, and earning the Fiesta Bowl's MVP 
honor.
  Ohio State football history and tradition are the bedrock of 
Columbus, Ohio--from The Best Damn Band in the Land, the Dotting of the 
I in Script Ohio to the Horseshoe, Skull Sessions and Hineygate, Ohio 
State fans are ever mindful of the University's storied past.
  Both with and without tickets, some 60,000 adoring OSU faithful 
traveled to Tempe to cheer on their Buckeyes, coloring Sun Devil 
Stadium in a sea of scarlet and gray, and giving the Buckeyes a home 
field advantage some 2000 miles away from Columbus.
  As a graduate of The Ohio State University, I take enormous pride in 
the Ohio State football team's sportsmanship and courage. The Buckeyes 
showed the world the definition of champions. Their preparation, 
fortitude, and desire will go down in the history of athletic 
competition as an example of triumph in the face of adversity. I could 
not be more pleased to be a fan, alumna, and Representative of The Ohio 
State University and their championship football team.
  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Isakson). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi) that the House suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution, House Resolution 10.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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