[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1799]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING SUPER BOWL XLII CHAMPIONS THE NEW YORK GIANTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 7, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, today I rise on behalf of the New York 
Delegation to congratulate the champions of the football world, the New 
York Giants. They successfully defeated the perfect New England 
Patriots 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII in one of the biggest upsets in Super 
Bowl history in Glendale, Arizona on February 3, 2008.
  New Yorkers were first introduced to professional football and the 
New York Football Giants in my congressional district, sharing their 
games with the city's baseball Giants in the Polo Grounds. From those 
magnificent days on 155th Street and 8th Avenue until today, the Giants 
have always brought us memorable games. Deep-routed enthusiasts 
remember the famed Sneaker Game when the team, playing in 9 degree 
weather, switched to basketball shoes to increase traction in the icy 
turf Frankfurt Yellowjackets in 1925. They recall how the G-men sailed 
to Super Bowl victory in 1986 under the powerful running game of Joe 
Morris, the pressure of Lawrence Taylor and near-perfection of 
quarterback Phil Simms. Football fans everywhere will also recall how 
the Giants won their second Super Bowl in a dramatic 20-19 victory over 
the Buffalo Bills.
  In Super Bowl XLII, the Giants have once again provided fans with 
another dramatic victory. This time it was against arguably one of the 
greatest offenses that the game has seen, an undefeated veteran team 
who was widely expected to win their fourth championship of the decade. 
Yet the Giants remained resilient. Just like they overcame an early 0-2 
start to their season, they overcame early mistakes to keep it close. 
And then when it mattered the most, they came up with a perfect answer 
for the perfect Patriots: A frantic 12-play, 83-yard drive, led by 
quarterback Eli Manning, that featured a dazzling leaping catch by 
David Tyree and key plays by running back Brandon Jacobs, as well as 
receivers Steve Smith and Plaxico Burress.
  Because of their team effort, the Giants now become the first NFC 
wild card team to win a Super Bowl. I extend my heartfelt 
congratulations to the entire team who placed with such valor and 
heart. Especially to the recipient of the Most Valuable Player Award, 
quarterback Eli Manning who has shown tremendous growth and has matched 
the successes of his brother, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton 
Manning.
  I also salute the co-owners, the Mara and Tisch families and their 
coaches--Head Coach Tom Coughlin, Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride, 
Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Special Teams Coordinator Tom 
Quinn, and the rest of the coaching staff for their commitment, 
expertise and leadership. Coughlin, a highly successful head coach at 
Boston College and with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and a former Giants 
assistant, was hired as the 16th head coach in Giants history. This 
victory is Coughlin's first appearance in a Super Bowl as a head coach.
  History will always have a special place for Coughlin's New York 
Football Giants. They are truly an inspirational team whose victory 
will live forever in Super Bowl lore.

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