[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10391]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Marchant). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield) is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, tonight we have all talked about how 
sweet and how wonderful it was for the University of North Carolina to 
be crowned as the NCAA Champions. But Mr. Speaker what makes this team 
so special is how well they exemplified what it means to be a team.
  Winning the five games on their way to claiming their fourth national 
championship, three different players led the team in scoring and four 
players led the team in rebounding. Sean May certainly earned the honor 
of tournament MVP. But the road to the finals required the collective 
effort of the entire team.
  After two easy wins again, Oakland and Iowa, Carolina fans 
collectively held their breath when the referee's whistle blew in the 
final seconds against Villanova. Fear of a shooting foul turned into 
the joy of a traveling call against Villanova, and the Heels held on 
for the one-point win. A strong game against Wisconsin then sent 
Carolina on to the final game in St. Louis.
  The game brought together the two best teams in the country. It was a 
fitting finale to a memorable season and an exciting NCAA tournament. 
Fittingly, the game was full of tension and drama until the waning 
seconds. Illinois showed the perseverance and will that had resulted in 
37 wins, while Carolina showed the determination, the unity, and the 
cohesion needed to overcome a team that went undefeated for much of the 
season.
  This Carolina team, Mr. Speaker, would have made Dean Smith proud, 
because they won using a primary tenet of his Carolina way: They shared 
the ball and they played unselfishly. By playing as a team, they led 
the Nation in scoring and assists, and they played at a pace very few 
teams could manage.
  Therefore, on behalf of the citizens of the First Congressional 
District of North Carolina, my congratulations go to Coach Williams and 
to every member of the University of North Carolina basketball team. 
You have made us proud across our State and you have shown us the great 
benefit of working as a team. Congratulations and best wishes.

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