[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 10824-10826]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA GATORS FOR THEIR HISTORIC WIN IN 
               THE 2007 NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 298) to commend the University of 
Florida Gators for their historic win in the 2007 National Collegiate 
Athletic Association Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 298

       Whereas, on April 2, 2007, the University of Florida Gators 
     defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 84-75 in the final game of 
     the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in Atlanta, 
     Georgia;
       Whereas the Gators' became the first team since 1991-92 to 
     win back-to-back national titles and just the 7th school ever 
     to be repeat champions;
       Whereas the Gators became the first team ever to repeat as 
     champions with the same starting lineup;
       Whereas Florida's overall athletic program has proven to be 
     one of the best in the Nation, now having won 21 national 
     champions in all sports combined;
       Whereas the University of Florida remains the only program 
     to hold both football and men's basketball championships at 
     the same time and the first school in NCAA history to hold 
     both the basketball and football championship titles in the 
     same calendar year;
       Whereas the Gators' head basketball coach Billy Donovan 
     became the 12th coach to win multiple men's basketball 
     championships and one of four active coaches to win multiple 
     titles;
       Whereas Donovan became the third youngest coach to win more 
     than one NCAA title;
       Whereas the Gators finished their season with an impressive 
     record of 35-5, including winning the final 10 games of the 
     season, and have an 18-game win streak in the post-season, 
     including sweeps at the Southeastern Conference tournaments 
     the last two years and 12-0 in the NCAA Tournament;
       Whereas the Gators contributed Corey Brewer, Al Horford, 
     and Lee Humphrey to the All Tournament Team, joining Greg 
     Oden and Mike Conley, Jr., of Ohio State;
       Whereas each player, coach, trainer, manager, and staff 
     member of the University of Florida Gators dedicated this 
     season and their efforts to the common goal of repeating as 
     NCAA men's basketball champions;
       Whereas the Gators' players, coaches, and everyone 
     associated with the men's basketball team represent the 
     University and the State of Florida with exemplary 
     sportsmanship and competitiveness; and
       Whereas residents of Florida and Gator fans worldwide are 
     to be commended for their longstanding support, perseverance, 
     and pride in the team: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the University of Florida Gators for their 
     historic win in the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association Division I Men's Basketball Tournament;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, 
     students, and support staff who were instrumental in the 
     Gators' victory; and
       (3) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to University of Florida 
     President J. Bernard Machen and head coach Billy Donovan for 
     appropriate display.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
New York (Mrs. McCarthy) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Platts) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative 
days during which Members may insert material relevant to H. Res. 298 
into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Congressman Stearns for 
introducing this resolution. I rise in support of House Resolution 298, 
a bill to commend the University of Florida Gators for their historical 
win in the 2007 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.
  On April 22 the Florida Gators defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 84-75 
in the final game of the Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 
Atlanta, Georgia. The Gators became the first team since 1992 to win 
back-to-back national titles and just the seventh school ever to be 
repeat champions.
  They were also the first team in history to complete this feat with 
the same starting lineup. The University of Florida's athletic program 
has proven to be one of the best in the Nation, now having won 21 
national championships in all sports combined. They are the only 
program to hold both football and men's basketball championships at the 
same time, and the first school in NCAA history to hold both the 
basketball and football championship titles in the same calendar year.
  The Gators' basketball team was led by their great coach, Billy 
Donovan, who became the 12th coach to win multiple basketball 
championships and one of four active coaches to win multiple titles. On 
top of that, Donovan became the third youngest coach to win more than 
one NCAA title. Coach Donovan is also a native of the Fourth 
Congressional District, originally hailing from Rockville Centre, in my 
district on Long Island.
  The Gators finished their season with an impressive record of 35-5, 
winning

[[Page 10825]]

the final 10 games of the season. Every player, coach, trainer, manager 
and staff member of the University of Florida Gators dedicated this 
season and their efforts to the common goal of repeating as men's NCAA 
basketball champions, and did so with class and sportsmanship.
  I urge my colleagues to show their support for the Florida Gators and 
vote for House Resolution 298.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I yield the distinguished gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Stearns) as much time as he may consume.
  Mr. STEARNS. Let me thank, first of all, my colleagues, for bringing 
this resolution to the floor. I certainly appreciate the gentlelady 
from New York, I believe, Long Island, for her gracious comments, to 
know that Billy Donovan also resided in her district. I think that is 
something that many of us did not know.
  Madam Speaker, I do have a little feeling of modesty here and 
graciousness coming here again to the floor. It's almost like a great 
case of dejavu again, because it seems like only a few months ago that 
I came to the floor to honor the University of Florida, which I 
represent, for winning the national football title.
  Yet here I am again, feeling a great deal of humbleeness, coming to 
the House floor to honor the Gators men's basketball team, as pointed 
out, for becoming the first team since 1991-1992 to win back-to-back 
national titles. Of course, I am honored to represent the University of 
Florida, because it's in my congressional district. As we say in 
Gainesville, ``Go Gators.'' We do indeed hope for another championship.
  With their win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on April 2, as mentioned, 
they became only the seventh school ever to repeat championships. In 
addition, Florida remains the only school in NCAA history to hold both 
the men's basketball and football championship titles in the same year, 
which is an arduous feat, to say the least. This is quite an 
accomplishment, and one the entire university community should take a 
great deal of pride in, which they do.
  Many of the so-called experts said that the Gators would not be able 
to repeat as champions. However, all throughout the season, Coach Billy 
Donovan kept his team focused and on track and eventually proved the 
pundits wrong. The Gators were chasing history, so to speak, and they 
would not be denied.

                              {time}  1400

  The Gators finished their season with an impressive 35-5, winning the 
final 10 games of the season. Furthermore, my colleagues, they have an 
18-game winning streak in the post-season, including sweeps at the 
Southeastern Conference tournament the last 2 years and a 12-0 in the 
NCAA tournament.
  By winning the championship, Coach Donovan became the 12th coach to 
win multiple men's basketball championship and one of four active 
coaches to win multiple titles. He also became the third youngest coach 
to win more than one NCAA title.
  Now, Florida's overall athletic program has proven to be one of the 
best in the Nation, now having won 21 national championships in all 
sports combined. Ten Gator athletic teams turned in top 10 finishes in 
2005-2006. Florida is one of two schools to appear in the top 10 in 
each of the last 23 national all-sports ranking.
  I appreciate your indulgence here as I brag a little bit more. Gator 
athletes excel in the classroom as well. UF boasts a 91 percent 
graduation rate among its athletes, making it only one of four programs 
in the national all-sports top 10 to achieve a graduation success rate 
above 90 percent. Furthermore, in the 2002-2003 season, UF placed a 
record of 193 student athletes on the SEC academic honor role, making 
six consecutive years UF placed 100 or more student athletes on the SEC 
honor role.
  The University of Florida is more than just athletics. It ranks fifth 
among Kiplinger's top 10 colleges and is among the Nation's most 
academically diverse public universities. It is home to 16 colleges and 
more than 150 research centers and institutes. And during the 2005-2006 
school year, they awarded a little over $500 million in sponsored 
research to do such things as to find diverse research in health care, 
citrus production including the world's largest citrus research center.
  In addition, my colleagues, more than 300,000 Gator alumni are 
located throughout the world. Famous alumni include two current NASA 
astronauts, actress Faye Dunaway, and home improvement expert Bob Vila. 
Just a little bragging there.
  UF's faculty are among the best and most decorated in the world, 
winning awards such as the Fields medal, two Pulitzer Prizes, NASA's 
top award for research, and the Smithsonian Institution's Conservation 
award. Along with the faculty, the Gator students are among the 
brightest. UF admitted about 1,049 international baccalaureate students 
for the 2004-2005 academic year, more than any other university in the 
world.
  So the Florida men's basketball team are excellent representatives of 
both the university and the great State of Florida in their focus, 
their persistence, and unassailable desire to succeed. I take great 
pride, my colleagues, in representing the University of Florida in 
Congress and congratulate Coach Billy Donovan and the entire university 
on this great accomplishment and hope for the best for next year. Go 
Gators.
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield as much time as the 
gentleman may consume to another distinguished member of the Florida 
delegation, Mr. Keller.
  Mr. KELLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the University of 
Florida's men's basketball team on their second consecutive NCAA, 
Division I championship. On April 2 of this year, they joined only six 
other teams in NCAA history to win back-to-back championships. My 
congratulations also go out to Coach Billy Donovan, who has done a fine 
job with these young men, not only leading them to back-to-back 
championships but also for preparing them for what lies ahead in life.
  The University of Florida is a fine institution with many standout 
athletes. My home State of Florida and I are tremendously proud of 
their accomplishments on and off the field. The University of Florida 
is the only Division I college in history to win the national 
championship in basketball and football in the same calendar year. In 
fact, between the Gator championships in basketball and football, I 
don't think there will be an athlete on campus who has not met the 
President by the time they graduate.
  Now, so many of these Gator basketball and football will be heading 
off to the NBA and NFL where they will have to struggle to make due on 
their multi-million dollar salaries. The good news for many of these 
other schools is that a lot of the starters will be moving on. The bad 
news, of course, is I am hearing they are having their best recruiting 
classes ever in both football and basketball. Ohio State was such a 
worthy opponent both in football and basketball and handled themselves 
with so much class, much praise is warranted to the Buckeye fans as 
well. Congratulations on a job well done.
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, we have got a great group of very proud 
Floridians here today. I am pleased to yield again as much time as the 
gentleman may consume to the gentleman, Mr. Bilirakis, from Florida.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, it is with great Gator pride that I 
rise today to support this resolution honoring my alma mater, the 
University of Florida, on winning the 2007 NCAA men's basketball 
championship.
  The Gators began this season looking to become the first team since 
1992 to repeat as national champions. Everyone in the Gator nation 
anxiously anticipated this season's tip-off, as all

[[Page 10826]]

five starters unselfishly returned to school in hopes of making 
history. And they did. They became the only team in history to repeat 
as champions with the same starting lineup.
  Last year, this Gator team came from obscurity to win the 
championship. However, this year the Gators were expected to win, which 
made them a target for every school they played. These young men not 
only handled the pressure and scrutiny, but they used it to fuel 
another amazing title run through both the SEC and the NCAA tournament.
  Madam Speaker, I believe that this basketball team represents the 
true embodiment of sportsmanship and teamwork. For the last 2 years, 
these young men won with class, not selfishness. The five starters gave 
up their very lucrative NBA contracts to return to the school they 
loved. How refreshing. In today's society, this an act that is 
remarkable. Believe it or not, it is remarkable. I want to commend all 
of them for their hard work and discipline.
  I also want to recognize Coach Billy Donovan and all of his 
assistants for the tremendous job they have done over the years. We are 
very lucky to have them, and I am glad he stayed at the University of 
Florida.
  Finally, I want to thank president Bernie Machen and athletic 
director Jeremy Foley, whose leadership made it possible for the Gators 
to be the only team in NCAA history to hold both the football and 
basketball titles simultaneously.
  I wish the University of Florida the best of luck in continuing this 
remarkable trend. And on behalf of my entire family, including my sons 
Michael, Teddy, Manuel, and Nicholas, thanks for making our dream come 
true, Gators.
  Madam Speaker, it truly is great to be a Florida Gator.
  Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The Florida Gators team will certainly go down as one of the best 
teams in the history of college basketball. After winning back-to-back 
championships this year, Coach Billy Donovan said, ``I sit up here 
very, very humbled, because I think I was fortunate enough over the 
last 2 years to coach a group of guys that has to go down in history as 
one of the greatest teams of all time.''
  The love for the game and each other, the hustle and hard work that 
the players exemplified the past 2 years is something they certainly 
learned from their head coach, Billy Donovan. At the young age of 41, 
Coach Donovan is now in some elite company being one of only four 
active coaches to have won multiple championships.
  I extend my heartiest congratulations to Head Coach Donovan, all of 
the hardworking players, their fans, and all members of the University 
of Florida family, including another distinguished graduate of the 
University of Florida who I would be in trouble with if I didn't 
mention when I go home tonight. My next oldest brother, Mark Platts, 
graduated in 1987 with a master's degree from the University of 
Florida.
  I am happy to join with my chairwoman as well as my colleagues from 
Florida in honoring this exceptional team and all of its 
accomplishments and wish them continued success, unless they are 
playing my alma mater in the years to come.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, again I encourage my 
colleagues to pass H. Res. 298. And congratulations again and certainly 
may they have a great future.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Harman). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 298.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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