[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 92]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY BRONCOS

 Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, Today on the first day of the 110th 
Congress, I wish to recognize the accomplishment of the Boise State 
University Broncos football team this past Monday, January 1, 2007.
  College sports have a way of putting schools, and cities, on the map. 
For instance, George Mason University was virtually unknown until their 
basketball team catapulted into the national spotlight through March 
Madness last year. However, no sport is more adept at this than the 
all-American sport of football.
  On New Year's Day, Boise State University battled Oklahoma in the 
Fiesta Bowl. One announcer commented that, until today, many of the 
Oklahoma football players didn't even know where Boise is. Well, Mr. 
President, they do now.
  In what is being described as one of the most thrilling games in the 
history of college bowl games, the Broncos defeated Oklahoma 43 to 42. 
I can't begin to describe to you the enthusiasm of the Bronco fans 
before, during, and especially after the game. It was contagious. And 
that is coming from a proud Idaho Vandal.
  Idaho is a small State. We haven't had nationally known sports teams. 
It wasn't too long ago that Boise State was only known in football 
circles for its blue football field. On the first day of 2007, that all 
changed.
  I am proud of what our Broncos did proving to the Nation that Idaho 
knows how to play football.
  With this new notoriety, of course, comes an opportunity for us to 
tell the country that Idaho's State-run universities have a lot to 
offer besides great football. Between Boise State, the University of 
Idaho, and Idaho State University, Idaho offers tremendous education 
with a quality of life that can't be beat.
  Boise, Idaho is now on the map of millions of college football fans 
thanks to our Broncos. To them I say congratulations and thank 
you.

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