[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 21]
[House]
[Pages 29103-29104]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING RICE UNIVERSITY OWLS BASEBALL TEAM

  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 379) honoring the Rice University Owls baseball 
team for winning the NCAA baseball championship.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 379

       Whereas, on June 23, 2003, the Rice University Owls 
     baseball team won the NCAA baseball championship, defeating 
     Stanford, with a final score of 14 to 2, before 18,494 Owls 
     fans in the final game at the College World Series;
       Whereas Rice University is a small but prestigious school, 
     which opened in 1912, and prides itself on being one of the 
     Nation's best academic institutions;
       Whereas winning the national championship in a major 
     Division I sport is a remarkable accomplishment for Rice 
     University, which has an undergraduate enrollment of only 
     2,700 students and holds its athletes to the same high 
     academic standards as the rest of the school population;
       Whereas, before this 2003 victory, the Owls made three 
     trips to the College World Series, in 1997, 1999, and 2002, 
     but won just one of seven games;
       Whereas the Owls' coach, Wayne Graham, advanced Rice 
     University's baseball program from obscurity to a national 
     championship in 12 years;
       Whereas the Owls' victory at the College World Series is 
     Rice University's first national championship in any team 
     sport and easily the University's crowning athletic 
     achievement;
       Whereas Rice University is the second school in the State 
     of Texas to win the NCAA baseball title, joining the 
     University of Texas, which won titles in 1949, 1950, 1975, 
     1983, and 2002;
       Whereas the Owls' victory completed a remarkable season in 
     which Rice University won 58 of the 70 games it played;
       Whereas the Owls opened the 2003 College World Series by 
     first defeating Southwest Missouri State and then by 
     defeating Texas University twice in a span of three days, 
     eliminating the defending national champions and securing a 
     spot in the championship round;
       Whereas Rice University defeated Stanford, with a score of 
     4 to 3, in the first championship game, and then lost to 
     Stanford, with a score of 8 to 3, in the second game, forcing 
     the final game; and
       Whereas the final score of 14 to 2, establishing Rice 
     University's national championship victory, is the largest 
     margin of victory in a College World Series final game: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors and 
     congratulates the Rice University Owls baseball team for 
     their successful season and their historic, outstanding, and 
     memorable NCAA baseball championship victory.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. KLINE. 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. 379.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Minnesota?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 379. This 
resolution honors the Rice University Owls baseball team for their 
victory in the 2003 NCAA baseball championship. With their 14 to 2 
victory over Stanford, the Rice Owls scored the largest margin of 
victory in a College World Series championship game and earned their 
first, their first, NCAA baseball championship ever. The Owls won five 
of six games in their fourth College World Series appearance to 
complete a remarkable season in which they won 58 of their 70 games. 
The Owls' victory at the College World Series was Rice University's 
first national championship in any team sport. The distinction earned 
by these players and the remarkable repeat victories of the team 
reflect the dedication of each player, the leadership of Coach Wayne 
Graham, and the support of family, friends, and fans.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bell) for introducing 
this resolution and extend my congratulations to Coach Graham, Rice 
University, and each of the hardworking players on the successful Owls 
team. As the only Member of Congress to claim Rice University as my 
alma mater, I am especially proud and happy to join my colleagues and 
am very thankful to have the opportunity to join my colleagues in 
honoring the accomplishment of this team and wishing them continued 
success. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 379. This resolution honors 
the Rice University Owls baseball team for winning the NCAA baseball 
championship. This summer the Rice University Owls captured the 
national championship in their fourth trip to the College World Series 
in the past 7 years. College fans, student athletes, and the general 
public were treated to an exciting 14 to 2 win in the final game of the 
year's College World Series. I want to extend my hearty congratulations 
to the Owls' head coach, Wayne Graham. His leadership over the past 12 
years has taken baseball at Rice University from obscurity to national 
prominence. Rice University's student athletes also deserve our 
congratulations. We are on the floor today because of their hard work, 
their determination, and their winning ways.
  I would be remiss if I did not also recognize the outstanding play by 
Stanford University's student athletes in the College World Series. 
Both teams are to be congratulated for their excellent play.
  Winning a championship has brought national acclaim to Rice 
University. I hope the Owls fans and their community treasure this 
moment for many years to come. And in closing, Mr. Speaker, I urge 
Members to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bell), the author of this resolution.
  Mr. BELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution to honor 
the Rice University Owls, the 2003 NCAA baseball national champions. It 
is a study in persistence. Before this victory, the Owls made three 
trips to the College World Series in 1997, 1999, and 2002, but won just 
one of seven games during those three trips.
  The Owls' convincing win over Stanford in the College World Series 
championship game this year brought home the school's first national 
championship in any team sport.
  Rice University is a tremendous source of pride for my 25th 
Congressional District in Texas. As one of the Nation's most highly 
regarded universities, Rice has always been well

[[Page 29104]]

known for its academic excellence. The school now has the added 
distinction of being a baseball powerhouse. Winning a national title in 
a major Division I sport is a remarkable accomplishment for a school as 
small as Rice with only 2,700 undergraduates.

                              {time}  2015

  Additionally, Rice athletes are held to the same high academic 
standards as all of the other students, signifying the incredible well-
roundedness of these ball players.
  Since starting at Rice 12 years ago, coaching legend Wayne Graham has 
catapulted the team into baseball history. Coach Graham's leadership 
took Rice to the NCAA tournament in 1995 and to the College World 
Series in 1997, 1999 and 2002. Previously, Coach Graham won five 
national junior college titles at San Jacinto College.
  The Owls had an unforgettable season, winning 58 of their 70 games. 
Early in the season, the team broke a school record by winning 30 games 
in a row. In the College World Series, Rice beat Southwest Missouri 
State and last year's champion University of Texas team twice, before 
meeting Stanford in the championship round. Rice beat Stanford 4-3 in 
the first game, lost 8-3 in the second, and won the championship, 14-2, 
the largest margin of victory in the history of the College World 
Series championship games.
  Mr. Speaker, with wholehearted enthusiasm, I congratulate Coach 
Graham and the entire Rice Owl College World Series championship team, 
including Philip Umber, Jeff Niemann, Wade Townsend, Vincent Sinisi, 
Enrique Cruz, Craig Stansberry, Paul Janish, Chris Kolkhorst, Austin 
Davis, Dan Bubela, Justin Ruchti, David Aardsma, Joseph Baker, Jeff 
Blackinton, Matthew Cavanaugh, Lyndon Duplessis, Matthew Emerson, 
Jonathan Gillespie, Steven Herce, Sean Hirsch, Jeff Jorgensen, Colin 
Matheny, Matthew Moake, and Lance Pendleton.
  These players' success, both in the classroom and on the baseball 
field, make them stand out as the very best college sports has to 
offer. They played with honor and sportsmanship and raised the bar for 
the expectations of college athletes everywhere. Well done, Owls. You 
have made Houston, Texas very proud.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez).
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues and 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bell) for authoring this legislation in 
honoring the National Champion Rice University baseball team. I commend 
the hard work of the players and their coaches. Their years of training 
and preparation, combined with their ability to work together as a 
team, led to an outstanding and overwhelming victory.
  It is also important to recognize the unwavering dedication of the 
Rice supporters who cheered the team to victory. All Texans are proud 
of Rice University. Rice University, its alumni, the city of Houston, 
the Houston Astros and others have honored the Rice baseball team, and 
now the Congress is joining the local community and the State to show 
our support for their achievement.
  I have the great honor of being a father of a Rice Owl. My daughter 
Xochil attends Rice University, and I am proud that she has chosen to 
be a part of this outstanding academic institution. Not only is Rice 
University one of the Nation's top-ranking schools, Rice University 
students have distinguished themselves by creating a unique academic 
atmosphere that provides a well-rounded educational experience.
  The win at this year's College World Series marks the first national 
championship for a Rice University sports team, but with the hard work 
and the discipline shown by the group of student athletes, I have no 
doubt that this is only the first of many accomplishments and 
championships. Congratulations, Rice University.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green).
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to place in the Record a 
statement in offering my congratulations to the Rice University 
baseball team for winning the College World Series.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations to the Rice 
University Baseball team. An exemplary group of young men, the Rice 
team won its first baseball national championship this year and showed 
the true grit needed to win the College World Series.
  The Owls have been no stranger to the College World Series, appearing 
with the best of college baseball for 4 out of the last 7 years. The 
championship eluded them, however, until this year when they finished 
the regular season with an impressive 58-12 record. Thirty of those 
wins came during a remarkable winning streak.
  And being a University of Houston graduate, it pains me to admit that 
the Owls' streak began with a 3-0 win over my beloved Cougars. However, 
if we had to lose to a cross-town rival, I'm glad that it was one who 
went on to win the national championship.
  The national championship was even sweeter for Houstonians 
considering that the Owls crushed a Stanford team that had made its 
third trip to the finals in the past 4 years. And in winning the final 
game 14-2, the Rice team secured the largest margin of victory in any 
College World Series final game. Without a doubt, Rice's national 
championship is a well-deserved honor for a first-rate team.
  My congratulations go out to the Owls, along with my best wishes for 
a successful 2004 season in defense of their title.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank, again, the gentlewoman from 
California for her kind remarks and the other speakers today, and 
certainly the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bell) for authoring this 
resolution. I will dare to speak on behalf of all Rice alumni and say 
to Coach Graham and to the team, congratulations and thank you from the 
bottom of our hearts. The first-ever NCAA championship is a big thing 
to the alumni community and Rice University.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Neugebauer). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 379.
  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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