[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 212-213]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY FOR WINNING 2002 NATIONAL 
  COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I-AA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the

[[Page 213]]

resolution (H. Res. 17) honoring the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky 
University from Bowling Green, Kentucky, for winning the 2002 National 
Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-AA football championship.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H. Res. 17

       Whereas the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers from 
     Bowling Green, Kentucky, won the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA 
     collegiate football national championship;
       Whereas the national championship is the first for the 
     Western Kentucky University football program since its 
     inception in 1913;
       Whereas the Hilltoppers had an impressive overall record of 
     12 wins and 3 losses during the 2002 season, which included 
     10 consecutive wins;
       Whereas the Hilltoppers showed tremendous dedication to 
     each other, appreciation to their fans, sportsmanship to 
     their opponents, and respect for the game of football 
     throughout their 2002 season;
       Whereas Western Kentucky University was represented with 
     integrity and principled leadership under the direction of 
     Head Football Coach Jack Harbaugh, Athletic Director Dr. Wood 
     Selig, and President Dr. Gary A. Ransdell; and
       Whereas on December 20, 2002, the Western Kentucky 
     University Hilltoppers, ranked 15th among Division I-AA 
     teams, defeated the top-ranked McNeese State University 
     Cowboys for the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA football championship 
     in Chattanooga, Tennessee, by a score of 34-14: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors the 
     Western Kentucky University football team from Bowling Green, 
     Kentucky, for winning the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA football 
     championship.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. HOEKSTRA. 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. 17.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Lewis).
  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, with Western Kentucky University's recent success on the 
basketball court and the Hilltoppers' first NCAA championship on the 
football field in 2002, Kentucky is now home to yet another top-ranked 
college sports program. I am proud to have Western Kentucky University 
in my district.
  We were not in session on December 20 when Western Kentucky won its 
first Division I-AA football championship, but I wanted to take this 
opportunity in this session of Congress to acknowledge the team's 
achievements.
  The 15th ranked Hilltoppers defeated top-ranked McNeese State 34-14 
in the championship game. Western brought their best game to the 
playoffs and the championship, defeating the three highest ranked teams 
on their way to taking the title.
  Just as they had all season, the Toppers again relied on their tough 
defense and strong running game. Jon Frazier rushed for 159 yards and 
two touchdowns, bringing his season total to 1,537 yards and moving him 
into second place in Western's running records. The defense combined 
for three interceptions and a sack, holding McNeese State below its 
season scoring average.
  In his 14th year at Western Kentucky, Coach Jack Harbaugh saw his and 
the team's hard work finally pay off. Coach Harbaugh has been committed 
to the Western football program and has built a successful program that 
the University, the Bowling Green community and the State should be 
proud of.
  After starting the season with a 2-3 record, including a loss to 
McNeese State, the Hilltoppers relied on their teamwork and dedication 
to win 10 straight games, finishing the season with the national 
championship.
  Mr. Speaker, I join Western Kentucky University and all of Bowling 
Green in congratulating the Hilltopper football team on its national 
championship season.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 17 congratulating 
the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky for winning the 2002 Division I-AA 
national football championship. It is quite an achievement to win a 
national championship at any college level, and this championship is 
even more noteworthy due to the fact that it is Western Kentucky's 
first national championship since 1913.
  Student athletes split their time between their athletic and academic 
pursuits. The student athletes that make up this year's national 
championship Hilltoppers' team must be commended because they did such 
a good job for their dual pursuit. I want to especially congratulate 
them for all their hard work, and also extend my hardy congratulations 
to head coach Jack Harbaugh for a great season and great win.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Res. 17 honoring the 
Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky University from Bowling Green, Kentucky 
for winning the 2002 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 
I-AA football championship.
  I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. 
Lewis), for sponsoring this resolution and congratulate the gentleman 
for the success this school has had from his district and for his 
opportunity to represent them in Washington, D.C.
  Today the House has recognized the outstanding athletic 
accomplishment of our Nation's young people. These championships are a 
testament to the spirit of athletic competition; and, frankly, they are 
enormous fun to watch. I congratulate all of the athletes and schools 
who have participated in collegiate athletics, and express my specific 
congratulations to Western Kentucky University.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 17.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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