[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 306-307]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


 RECOGNIZING APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERS AND WAKE FOREST 
                             DEMON DEACONS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary 
efforts of the Appalachian State Mountaineers football team, who 
recently defeated

[[Page 307]]

the Massachusetts Minutemen in a 28-17 victory. What makes this a 
magnificent triumph is that this is the second straight year the 
Mountaineers have brought home the NCAA Division 1 football 
championship subdivision, formerly recognized as Division 1-AA. The 
Mountaineers finished their season with a 14-1 record, losing only 
their first game of the season and going undefeated all the way through 
to the championship game after that.
  I am honored to represent Appalachian State University, as they have 
not only a stellar academic program but also have succeeded in 
athletics as well. This shows the diversity and accomplishments of 
Appalachian State as they exemplify a true student body where life 
lessons are learned through extracurricular activities as well as 
rigorous academic study.
  I am pleased to recognize the momentous accomplishments of junior 
Kevin Richardson who scored all four touchdowns and had 179 rushing 
yards that led the Mountaineers to victory in the championship game. 
Although Massachusetts had started the game with an early lead, the 
Mountaineers persevered, worked as a team, and never gave up.
  The Mountaineers had tremendous support from their fellow classmates, 
alumni and residents of Boone, North Carolina. Not only have they 
received this support on their home field, Kidd Brewer Stadium, the 
gridiron, but also when the Mountaineers traveled for their games. At 
the playoff game, an enormous crowd of 22,808 included over 15,000 
Appalachian State Black and Gold dressed fans at Finley Stadium in 
Chattanooga, Tennessee. With great anticipation of another Mountaineer 
victory, the attendance set a record for Finley Stadium at the 
University of Tennessee where the game was played. While the game was 
played and won by the Appalachian State football team, the tremendous 
support of friends, family, alumni and North Carolina residents set an 
exciting tone and surely assisted the team by showing their dedicated 
support. Also notable was that this was the 12th time in the 15 games 
this season that the Mountaineers played before a sold out crowd.
  I extend my deepest congratulations to all the Mountaineers who 
played with dedication, perseverance and, most of all, heart. I also 
applaud the tremendous coaching staff, including head coach Jerry 
Moore, who has been with Appalachian State University for 18 years, 
serving the athletic program with enthusiasm and steadfast commitment. 
His service, along with the entire coaching staff, has been invaluable 
in guiding the team to their great successes.
  Congratulations, again, Appalachian State Mountaineers for your 
tremendous success in back to back NCAA titles. You are definitely a 
source of pride for western North Carolina.
  It is also my pleasure to commend the Wake Forest Demon Deacon 
football team on an outstanding season. Prior to the start of the 
season, the Deacons were predicted to finish last in their division of 
the Atlantic Coast Conference. However, they were not discouraged by 
these predictions and actually seemed to revel in the role of the 
underdog. Ultimately, Wake Forest shocked the Nation by finishing the 
regular season 11-2, which placed them at the top of the Atlantic 
Division in the ACC. They then defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 
in the Atlantic Coast Conference Champion game, making Wake Forest ACC 
champions for the first time since 1970.
  Much of the team's success this year is due to its resilience, 
tenacity, and impeccable coaching. Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe was 
unanimously named ACC Coach of the Year and beat out a strong group of 
national contenders to be named the 2006 NCAA National Coach of the 
Year. Coach Grobe and the Deacons battled injuries to several key 
players, including their starting quarterback and starting tailback, 
but bounced back in the face of adversity to set a school record for 
victories.
  After such an unbelievable season, no one was surprised when the 
Deacons were chosen to play the 2007 Orange Bowl. The reigning ACC 
champs traveled down to Miami, with their fans in tow, to face the 
champions of the Big East Conference, the Louisville Cardinals. Wake 
Forest came into the game well prepared and played like the champions 
they are. While Louisville emerged victorious, Wake fans and players 
alike left Miami with their heads held high, proud of a season full of 
accomplishments.
  The Orange Bowl culminated a magical season for the Demon Deacons, 
one that Wake fans will never forget. Finishing the regular season 11-
2, serving Florida State its first-ever shutout at home under the 
leadership of Coach Bobby Bowden, winning the ACC championship and 
appearing in the Orange Bowl can be considered highlights. But by no 
means could these achievements capture the spirit and the emotion of 
this phenomenal season for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The 
sentiments of this season can best be summed up in the 10 minutes 
following the Orange Bowl on January 2. Even though the Deacons lost, 
Wake fans remained in the stands after the game, standing and cheering 
in support of the team that brought them so much joy this season as 
Wake players walked to their side of the stadium to thank the fans for 
their steadfast support.
  This relationship underlines what it means to be a Deacon fan. Wins 
and losses ultimately aren't all that matter, but rather the sense of 
pride and family that comes along with being a Deacon is what makes the 
Wake Forest team and the fans such a special group.
  Mr. Speaker, I just want to say, Go Deacs.
  There may have been a few tears shed in Dolphins Stadium following 
this year's Orange Bowl, but they were not tears of sadness. They were 
tears of pride and accomplishment, and they were very hard earned.
  Congratulations to Wake Forest, and best of luck next season. We know 
it will be every bit as exciting as this one. Go Deacs!

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