[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14111]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO BULLDOGS 
                             BASEBALL TEAM

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 604, submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 604) congratulating the California 
     State University Fresno Bulldogs baseball team for winning 
     the 2008 National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I 
     College World Series.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, 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 bill be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 604) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 604

       Whereas on June 25, 2008, the student athletes of the 
     California State University, Fresno Bulldogs baseball team, 
     in the sixth elimination game faced by the Fresno State 
     Bulldogs, finished a true Cinderella story season, winning 
     the 2008 National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I 
     College World Series Championship (referred to in this 
     preamble as the ``2008 NCAA College World Series'') by 
     defeating the University of Georgia Bulldogs, 2 games to 1, 
     in a best-of-3 championship;
       Whereas the 2008 NCAA College World Series is the second 
     championship for the California State University;
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs are the lowest-seeded 
     team in college sports history to win a championship;
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs won 6 elimination games 
     to win the 2008 NCAA College World Series, which is a 
     testament to the resilience, fortitude, and ``never say die'' 
     attitude of the team;
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs beat number 3-ranked 
     Arizona State University, number 6-ranked Rice University, 
     number 2-ranked University of North Carolina, and number 8-
     ranked University of Georgia to win the 2008 NCAA College 
     World Series;
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs tied the record of most 
     runs, 62, in the College World Series;
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs elimination game, a 19-10 
     win against Georgia just 1 day earlier, produced College 
     World Series records for most runs in a game by 1 team, most 
     combined runs, most hits by 1 team, most combined hits, and 
     longest game;
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs played 78 games this 
     year, more than any other team in the United States;
       Whereas playing with a torn ligament in his left thumb, 
     right fielder Steve Detwiler had 4 hits in 4 at-bats, 
     including 2 home runs and 6 runs batted in, during the 
     championship game;
       Whereas Justin Wilson, the winning pitcher, pitching on 
     just 3 days rest, was able to pitch 129 pitches, 86 of which 
     were strikes over 8 strong innings, allowing just 5 hits, 1 
     run, and striking out 9 batters;
       Whereas Tommy Mendonca, third baseman for the 2008 NCAA 
     College World Series champion Fresno State Bulldogs, was 
     named the ``Most Outstanding Player'', tying the College 
     World Series record with 4 home runs;
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs have 5 players on the 
     2008 NCAA College World Series all-tournament team, including 
     third baseman Tommy Mendonca, second baseman Erik Wetzel, 
     outfielder Steve Susdorf, outfielder Steve Detwiler, and 
     pitcher Justin Wilson;
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs have shown great 
     character, comradery, resilience, and sportsmanship on the 
     way to winning the national championship;
       Whereas the fellow students, families, alumni, faculty, and 
     fans of the Fresno State Bulldogs have been a great part of 
     this championship, showing great support with many 
     individuals wearing ``Underdogs to Wonderdogs'' t-shirts; and
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs have instilled within the 
     City of Fresno and the State of California great pride and 
     excitement: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the California State University Fresno 
     Bulldogs baseball team for winning the 2008 National 
     Collegiate Athletics Association Division I College World 
     Series; and
       (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, 
     students, and staff whose hard work and dedication made 
     winning the championship possible.

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