[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 504]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         THE CAROLINA PANTHERS

  Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, when Jerry Richardson founded the Carolina 
Panthers 9 years ago, he said his goal was to be in a Super Bowl within 
10 years. After upsetting the Philadelphia Eagles recently, this dream 
has become a reality. But the dream is not over, of course. There is 
one more hurdle the Panthers must clear.
  Today I salute Jerry, Coach John Fox, and the Panthers players for 
giving North Carolinians a season with a fairy tale ending. When Coach 
Fox arrived in 2002, the Carolina Panthers were 1 and 15. This 
turnaround has been nothing short of miraculous, and it is not just the 
fact that the Panthers have made it to the Super Bowl but how they got 
to Houston.
  The Panthers are called the ``Cardiac Cats'' because 10 of their 
victories have been achieved by 6 points or less, and they have won 4 
of their 5 overtime games this season.
  All over the State, ``Go Panthers'' signs adorn buses, mailboxes, and 
cars, and those black and blue jerseys have become the fashion craze of 
the day. Even Coach Fox had to comment on the groundswell of fan 
support after about 10,000 of them--10,000, Mr. President--showed up on 
a blustery day as the team left for Houston. ``It makes you proud,'' he 
said.
  Charlotte Observer columnist Danny Romine Powell wrote recently:

       A team has transformed a city into Mount Olympus. We're 
     eating ambrosia with the gods.

  How true, indeed. I want the Panthers to know that this Senator is 
coming to Houston, and I can't wait to watch the ``Cardiac Cats'' shock 
the world with a victory. In fact, I have challenged my friend and 
colleague, Senator Ted Kennedy, to a friendly wager. I am putting up 
our famous North Carolina barbecue against his New England clam 
chowder.
  I love something that Coach Fox tells his team each week. He says:

       We will define ourselves. No one else is going to do that 
     for us.

  It is a motto that stands true for all of North Carolina. Earlier 
this week, late night host David Letterman cracked:

       Who knew Carolina had a team.

  I daresay that after Sunday the world will know.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sununu). The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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