[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 1307-1308]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE NEW YORK GIANTS ON THEIR VICTORY IN SUPER BOWL XLII

  Mr. SANDERS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 441, submitted 
earlier today by Senator Schumer.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 441) congratulating the New York 
     Giants on their victory in Super Bowl XLII.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I have asked for time because I rise to 
speak about something that happened in Arizona yesterday.
  I rise to congratulate the New York Giants on their much deserved 
Super Bowl victory last night, which very few thought would happen. But 
we Giants always knew we could prevail; we just couldn't pick the 
circumstances.
  Mr. President, I will also be offering on behalf of myself, my 
colleague from New York, Senator Clinton, and my two colleagues from 
our neighboring State of New Jersey, in which the Giants stadium is 
located, Mr. Lautenberg and Mr. Menendez, this resolution.
  The Big Blue, for the few of you who missed the game--I heard it had 
one of the biggest TV ratings we have had in a long time--the Big Blue 
defeated the heavily favored New England Patriots in what will go down 
as not only one of the greatest Super Bowl upsets in history but one of 
the most exciting and closely contested games in all of sports history.
  Today, I am wearing the red, white, and blue. I usually enjoy wearing 
the red, white, and blue because I love America, but today I am 
particularly enjoying wearing those colors because I love the Giants.
  Under enormous pressure, facing one of the most talented, methodical 
teams ever assembled, the Giants came from behind, battling back twice, 
to take that title.
  Since the beginning of the season, the chattering class said the 
Patriots were an unstoppable force that would march untouched to a 
comfortable, some even said ``large,'' Super Bowl victory, with the 
Giants a mere afterthought, a stepping stone on their road to 
greatness.
  Well, the Giants proved them wrong again and today we are world 
champions. Now, I have been a Giant fan since I was 5 years old. I 
remember ``Chuckin'' Charlie Connerly and Sam Huff and Frank Gifford 
and Alex Webster. Back then the two most important Roosevelts to me 
were Brown and Grier.
  The Giants have won Super Bowls before. But this victory, coming from 
behind and defying the odds, makes this win to Giants' fans the 
sweetest of all.
  The Giants showed the grit and determination New York is known for. 
They would not be denied at any point in the game, keeping the pressure 
on through all four quarters. Throughout the game, the Giants excelled 
on both sides of the ball. I am particularly amazed and impressed with 
that Giant defense. The Patriots have one of the best offenses in 
football ever, certainly the best this year. But the Giant front--
Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyora, Justin Tuck--stifled them. They put the 
pressure on Tom Brady so he actually missed passes. That did not happen 
very much, and the usually unflappable quarterback was back on his 
heels for most of the game.
  And then the Giant offense. The doubters of Eli Manning were silenced 
for good--Two touchdown passes, that game-winning drive at the end, 
where no one thought the Giants could do it. And what a catch by David 
Tyree. He used his helmet, his face mask, his shoulder pads, and his 
chest gear to catch that ball and pave the way for that final 
touchdown.
  Tom Coughlin, though bruising at times, kept the team together and 
focused, proving yet again that it ain't over until it is over. The 
hard-fought win sent shockwaves through the football establishment and 
sent New Yorkers cheering into the streets until the wee hours of the 
evening.
  New Yorkers certainly deserve every minute of sweet celebration, and 
we look forward to that great tickertape parade I hope I will be able 
to go to if the voting schedule works out.
  I spoke to Commissioner Goddell today and congratulated him on an 
exciting Super Bowl. It was not only a great day for New York football 
but a great day for football in general.
  Just a note. Two members of the Giant family were lost in recent 
years: Wellington Mara, the heart and soul of a team if there ever was 
one, and Bob Tisch, a good friend of mine. And their steadfastness led 
to this success. I am sure they are looking down from heaven and 
smiling.
  So I, on behalf of all New Yorkers, and the Senate, or at least most 
of the Senate, congratulate the New York football Giants for winning 
Super Bowl XLII and celebrating their extraordinary victory. I would 
like to send congratulations to my New York colleague, Senator Clinton, 
who, of course, is on the campaign trail today. But I know she was 
thrilled about the victory, as were my colleagues from New Jersey, 
Senators Lautenberg and Menendez.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Madam President, I thank the Senator from Arizona, 
Mr. Kyl, for his statement about the Super Bowl game that was played 
yesterday, and his congratulations to the Giants. And notice, I did not 
say

[[Page 1308]]

the New York Giants, though that is the name, and we are as proud of 
that team as we in New Jersey could be.
  But pride in my birthplace, my home all my life, the State I am 
privileged to serve in the Senate, forces me to remind everyone that 
though we treasure our neighbors' interests in New York, the Giants' 
home is in New Jersey, many of the players live in New Jersey, the home 
games are played in New Jersey, and there cannot be any doubt about the 
fan loyalty and the attendance of our proud New Jersey residents.
  But to take nothing away from that smashing victory--that wonderful 
game, by the way, that was said by everyone I have met and talked to--
even though our pride, our hopes were with the Giants, the fact is, it 
was a wonderful football game, and we cannot take away the greatness 
also of the New England Patriots football team.
  After a tremendous season, a remarkable run through the playoffs, and 
a miraculous achievement against the AFC's best--the New England 
Patriots--our Giants are now the Super Bowl champions for the third 
time in history.
  Last night, the Giants did what those of us in New Jersey and across 
the country believed they could do: They took the crown from the king. 
To capture the crown, they made key plays under pressure. The game 
started with a field goal, but the Patriots came right back and held 
the lead for much of the game. But with 2 minutes left, and their backs 
against the wall, the Giants came from behind to score the winning 
touchdown. The team showed guts and strength and courage, as they had 
throughout the season and through the playoffs. Last night, we saw them 
at their best. By winning the Super Bowl, our Giants are truly 
nominated to be the best team in the NFL, and they brought the Super 
Bowl trophy right back to its rightful place in New Jersey. From their 
home turf in East Rutherford, NJ, to the Super Bowl win in Arizona--and 
it was a wonderful setting and an outstanding opportunity to display 
our Giant greatness--the Giants stood tall and showed that against all 
odds they were champions.
  What a pleasure it was to see the quarterback, Eli Manning, show his 
championship colors by hanging on as the Patriot defense came after him 
time and time again. What a wonderful family place that is to have two 
sons who are such expert football players. But Eli finally was able to 
come out of the shadow and take his place alongside his brother's great 
play.
  David Tyree, a New Jersey native, scored the first touchdown and had 
an incredible catch with barely a minute left in play, falling back and 
pinning the ball tight against his helmet as he fell to the ground. He 
was holding onto that ball, and nothing could pull it from his arms.
  Plaxico Burress caught the game-winning touchdown.
  The offensive line, anchored by Rutgers University alumnus and New 
Jersey resident Shaun O'Hara, showed the way.
  And don't forget, they say that defense wins championships. We saw a 
lot of that yesterday. The defensive line, led by Michael Strahan, also 
a New Jersey resident, stopped the record-setting Patriot offense in 
its tracks. It was no minor accomplishment.
  In fact, our defense allowed only 14 points against a team that 
averaged more than 36 points a game during the regular season--an 
incredible accomplishment.
  The Giants ran and passed, and they sacked their way to a 
championship and into the record books. The Giants have long had a 
place in the hearts and minds of New Jerseyans.
  While the team does bear the New York name, their home has been in 
New Jersey for more than 30 years. Right now, one can see--if you pass 
the area where the Meadowlands in New Jersey is--they are building a 
brandnew stadium to keep them playing and winning in New Jersey for 
many years to come.
  From Rutgers University to the Giants and the Jets, we have a proud 
and deep tradition of winning football in the Garden State. I am so 
proud the tradition lives on.
  I congratulate the Mara and Tisch families, Tom Coughlin, the rest of 
the coaching staff, and the entire Giants team for an incredible Super 
Bowl victory. Giant fans cannot wait to bring the trophy back home.
  On behalf of all New Jerseyans and our fans across the country, I am 
pleased--so pleased--to be able to call our Giants ``champions.''
  The play that was displayed was magnetic, was fascinating. It will go 
down as one of the great Super Bowl games in history.
  So we note, once again, just a reminder: Do not always call them the 
New York Giants. Just say Giants. That is enough. While we are under 
full cover of our pride and our allegiance, we call them the ``Jersey 
Giants.''
  Mr. SANDERS. Madam President, even though I supported the New England 
Patriots, I will not object.
  I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements 
related to the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 441) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 441

       Whereas, on Sunday, February 3, 2008, the New York Giants 
     defeated the New England Patriots by a score of 17-14 to win 
     Super Bowl XLII;
       Whereas the Giants, who were double-digit underdogs, 
     overcame overwhelming odds to defeat the Patriots;
       Whereas Giants owners John K. Mara and Steve Tisch have 
     built the Giants organization into a championship caliber 
     team;
       Whereas Eli Manning, having led a game-winning drive for 83 
     yards at the end of the fourth quarter, was named the game's 
     Most Valuable Player;
       Whereas David Tyree's game-breaking catch will forever go 
     down in Super Bowl history as one of the greatest plays ever;
       Whereas the relentless onslaught of the Giants defensive 
     line, highlighted by spectacular plays by Justin Tuck, Osi 
     Umenyiora, and team Captain Michael Strahan, sacked Patriots 
     quarterback Tom Brady 5 times;
       Whereas the Giants capped off an amazing playoff run by 
     winning all 4 playoff games on the road as underdogs;
       Whereas Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, in his first 
     appearance in the Super Bowl, lead his team to victory from 
     the wild card spot;
       Whereas this marks the third time in franchise history that 
     the Giants have won the Super Bowl;
       Whereas the Giants attract fans from New York, New Jersey, 
     and Connecticut to their home games in East Rutherford, New 
     Jersey, and to away games across the country; and
       Whereas Giants fans from across the tri-state region have 
     rallied together to cheer the Giants for coming from behind 
     to win in the biggest upset in Super Bowl history: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate congratulates the New York Giants 
     on their victory in Super Bowl XLII.

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