[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12181-12182]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS FOR WINNING THE 
  2003 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I MEN'S ICE 
                          HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 217) commending the University of Minnesota Golden 
Gophers for Winning the 2003 National Collegiate Athletic Association 
Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 217

       Whereas on Saturday, April 12, 2003, the defending NCAA 
     Division I Men's Ice Hockey champions, the University of 
     Minnesota Golden Gophers, won the National Championship for 
     the second straight year;
       Whereas the University of Minnesota defeated the University 
     of New Hampshire in the championship game by the score of 5-
     1, having defeated the University of Michigan 3-2 in overtime 
     in the semifinals;
       Whereas the Golden Gophers reached the 56th Annual Frozen 
     Four by defeating Mercyhurst College 9-2 and Ferris State 
     University 7-4;
       Whereas the University of Minnesota received an automatic 
     bid to the 2003 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey National 
     Championship Tournament by defeating Colorado College 4-2 in 
     the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament 
     championship game;
       Whereas the Golden Gophers became the first repeat NCAA 
     Men's Ice Hockey champions in 31 years;
       Whereas the University of Minnesota won their fifth NCAA 
     Men's Ice Hockey title;
       Whereas the team displayed academic excellence by 
     maintaining an average grade point average above the 
     university-wide average; and
       Whereas all the team's players showed dedication throughout 
     the season toward the goal of winning the National 
     Championship: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers for 
     winning the 2003 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey 
     Championship;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of all the team's players, 
     coaches, and support staff, and invites them to the United 
     States Capitol Building to be honored;
       (3) requests that the President recognize the team's 
     accomplishment, and invite them to the White House for a 
     ceremony in their honor; and
       (4) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     make available enrolled copies of this resolution to the 
     University of Minnesota for appropriate display, and to 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to each coach 
     and member of the 2003 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey 
     Championship team.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Kline) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) 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. 217.
  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 217. I thank my 
colleague, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), for bringing this 
resolution forward.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution recognizes the achievement of the 
University of Minnesota men's hockey team, the Golden Gophers, for 
their NCAA Division I championship. The Gophers are the first team in 
31 years to win back-to-back championships. With this fifth NCAA title, 
they are tied for third place in all-time championship victories.
  This national championship team is to be commended not only for its 
athletic success but also and perhaps more importantly for their 
academic record. In addition to their achievements on the ice, the 
Minnesota men's hockey team was able to maintain a higher grade point 
average than the overall student body. This is a testament to the 
dedication of the team, the leadership of Coach Don Lucia, and the 
support of family and friends. It is clear this team has a winning 
spirit and a commitment to excellence.
  I extend my congratulations to each of the hardworking players of the 
Minnesota Golden Gophers men's hockey team, to Coach Lucia and to the 
University of Minnesota.
  I am happy to join any colleagues in honoring the accomplishments of 
this team and wish them continued success. I ask my colleagues to 
support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 217, congratulating the 
University of Minnesota for winning the NCAA Division I ice hockey 
championship. Last month the Golden Gophers captured the national 
championship for the second straight year. College fans, students, 
athletes, and the general public were treated to an exciting hockey 
season and championship tournament. I want to extend my hearty 
congratulations to Minnesota's head coach and their student athletes 
for a job well done.
  Also, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to extend my congratulations to the 
University of New Hampshire and their student athletes for a great 
season.
  Winning a championship has brought national acclaim to the University 
of Minnesota. I hope that the Minnesota fans and the University 
community treasures this moment for many years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) has 
19 minutes remaining.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the respectable 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo).
  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Hinojosa) for yielding me time, and commend my colleague, the gentleman 
from Minnesota (Mr. Kline) who is handling the bill and the resolution 
on the majority side.
  Mr. Speaker, Minnesota is a hockey State. I think we are the premiere 
hockey State in the country, and it has been a great year for hockey in 
Minnesota. Most recently, we have been excited about the, I suppose 
what you call, surprising success of the Wild in getting into the 
division championship in the NHL. But while they are new to our State, 
Golden Gophers have been playing hockey for 81 years. And that rich 
tradition we salute today as we congratulate them on winning a second 
consecutive NCAA championship.
  But that is part of a rich tradition. This is their fifth national 
championship. In their 81 years, they have been

[[Page 12182]]

in the NCAA Frozen Four Finals 18 times, 27 times to the NCAA 
tournaments. They have appeared in the national tournament for 13 
consecutive years, an NCAA record; 12 conference playoff championships; 
10 conference championships. So they come with a rich, rich tradition 
of outstanding hockey. Five national championships.
  It is a unique team, a unique school with a rich tradition of good 
hockey, good athletes, good scholars. So we are proud of them. We are 
proud. We also know that unless there is some unusual circumstances, 
like pro hockey, most of the team is going to be back next year. 
Clearly, if you were to pick a favorite today for the NCAA hockey 
championship a year from now, the Gophers would lead the way.
  So to Coach Don Lucia, to all his staff, all his players, the 
University administration, we say a hearty congratulations on your 
great success these last 2 years. We congratulate you for a rich 
tradition of hockey in the hockey State of the United States. We are 
proud of you and we wish you well in the future.
  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo) 
for his remarks. He is right. Minnesota is the hockey capital of the 
world. He is right that we have been excited by not only NCAA hockey 
but by professional hockey. We are very proud of our Wild. But it is 
the Golden Gophers who we are here to commend today.
  I am pleased as he is that we will see more of them again next year, 
and I am doubly excited by looking at my neighbors' kids, all of whom 
are in elementary school and look at their prowess that we will be a 
leader for a long time to come.
  Again, my hearty congratulations to the team, to the Golden Gophers, 
to their coach.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I really enjoyed the remarks by my good friend, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Kline), and especially my friend, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Sabo). And I want to just share with both of you that we 
believe in south Texas that it is such a great sport that the community 
of south Texas has a big hockey coliseum under construction soon to be 
completed, probably in the fall, September or October. And I wish to 
invite both of the gentlemen from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo and Mr. Kline) to 
come to the opening. We are going to have on the Texas-Mexico border 
visitors from Mexico who also want to be as supportive of hockey as we 
in America are supportive of soccer.

                              {time}  1100

  So I want both gentlemen to know that they will be getting an 
invitation to that grand opening, and I hope that they will come and 
share in the excitement of bringing hockey to my great State of south 
Texas.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
just to say thank you to my colleague from Texas and to commend him and 
the Great State of Texas for recognizing the great sport of hockey, and 
I appreciate the invitation. I hope that I have the opportunity to 
accept that invitation and join my colleague, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), for that visit. I hope that this occurs in 
February. I would be grateful for that consideration at least.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). 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. 217.
  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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