[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3]
[House]
[Pages 3618-3619]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS FOOTBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 
                         2008 FEDEX ORANGE BOWL

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 948) congratulating the University of Kansas 
(``KU'') football team for winning the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl and 
having the most successful year in program history, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 948

       Whereas on January 3, 2008, the University of Kansas (KU) 
     football team won the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl, defeating 
     Virginia Tech by a score of 24 to 21 for the first major bowl 
     victory in university history;
       Whereas the KU football team won 12 games this season to 
     set a school record;
       Whereas KU ranked seventh in the final Top 25 polls 
     released on January 8, 2008, for the second highest final 
     ranking in school history (the school ranked sixth in 1968);
       Whereas the KU football team reached a number 2 ranking on 
     November 18, 2007, their highest national ranking in program 
     history;
       Whereas the KU team set the school record for points, an 
     average of 42.77 points per game, and total yards (479.77 
     yards);
       Whereas KU was the only school in the country to rank in 
     the top 5 nationally in both scoring offense (second) and 
     scoring defense (fifth);
       Whereas Head Coach Mark Mangino was awarded multiple 
     national coach of the year honors;
       Whereas Head Coach Mark Mangino has produced a minimum of 6 
     wins in 3 straight seasons for the first time in 46 years for 
     the KU football program;
       Whereas the KU football team produced 2 first-team All-
     Americans, cornerback Aqib Talib and offensive tackle Anthony 
     Collins, and 1 second-team All-American in defensive tackle 
     James McClinton; and
       Whereas the KU football team was also honored to have 2 
     Academic All-America recipients on the team, Russell Brorsen 
     and John Larson: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates and commends the University of Kansas 
     football team for winning the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl and for 
     having the most successful year in program history;
       (2) recognizes the significant achievements of the players, 
     coaches, students, alumni, and support staff whose dedication 
     and hard work helped the University of Kansas football team 
     win the FedEx Orange Bowl; and
       (3) respectfully requests the Clerk of the House of 
     Representatives to transmit enrolled copies of this 
     resolution to the following individuals for display:
       (A) Robert Hemenway, Chancellor of the University of 
     Kansas.
       (B) Richard Lariviere, Provost and Executive Vice 
     Chancellor of the University of Kansas.
       (C) Lew Perkins, Athletics Director of the University of 
     Kansas.
       (D) Mark Mangino, Head Coach.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kuhl) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during 
which Members may insert material relevant to House Resolution 948 into 
the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Iowa?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the University of Kansas 
for winning the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl and having the most successful 
year in the program's history.
  On January 3, 2008, Kansas captured its first major bowl victory in 
university history by defeating Virginia Tech. College football fans, 
student athletes, and the Nation were treated to an exceptional college 
bowl game.
  I want to extend my congratulations to head coach Mark Mangino, 
athletic director Lou Perkins, University of Kansas Chancellor Robert 
Hemenway, and Kansas's student athletes for winning the Orange Bowl and 
obtaining a school record 12-1 season.
  I also want to extend my congratulations to the Virginia Tech Hokies 
and their student athletes for a great season.
  Winning the Orange Bowl and finishing the season with a 12-1 record 
has brought positive national attention to Kansas, and I know the fans 
of the university will cherish this moment as they look forward to the 
2008 season. Student athletes balance a rigorous school workload with 
the many practices and games in which they compete. I am proud of 
student athletes for their dedication to their schoolwork and their 
sport.
  Madam Speaker, once again I congratulate the University of Kansas for 
their success, and I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I noticed that the gentleman from Iowa was a little quizzical and 
hesitant in congratulating a fellow Big 12 team from Kansas. But in any 
case, Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 948 
congratulating the University of Kansas football team, affectionately 
known as KU, for winning the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl and having the most 
successful year in program history.
  On January 3, 2008, the University of Kansas football team won the 
2008 FedEx Orange Bowl defeating Virginia Tech by a score of 24-20 for 
its first major bowl victory in university history.
  The KU football team won a school record 12 games this past season 
and ended the season ranked seventh in the final top 25 polls released 
on January 8, 2008. This is the second highest final ranking in school 
history.
  This past year's KU team set the school record with points per game, 
with an average of 42 points per game, and total yards per game, with 
an average of 479 yards. KU is the only school in the country to rank 
in the top five

[[Page 3619]]

nationally in both scoring offense, which was second, and scoring 
defense, in which they were fifth.
  Following the remarkable year, head coach Mark Mangino was awarded 
multiple national Coach of the Year awards. And, in fact, Coach Mangino 
has produced a minimum of six wins in three straight seasons, for the 
first time in 46 years for the KU football program.
  The KU football team also produced two first team All Americans, 
cornerback Aquib Talib and offensive tackle Anthony Collins. Equally 
important, the team produced two academic All American recipients, 
Russell Brorsen and John Larson.
  In addition to successful athletic programs, KU also provides 
faculty, academic and research programs of international distinction, 
and outstanding libraries, teaching museums, and teaching technology. 
These resources enrich the undergraduate experience and are essential 
for graduate-level education and for research.
  From early existence, the University of Kansas has been fueled by 
high aspirations and has enjoyed a national reputation for innovation 
and academic excellence. I extend my congratulations to head coach Mark 
Mangino, all of the hardworking players, the fans, and to the 
University of Kansas. I am happy to join my friend and colleague in 
honoring this exceptional team for all of its accomplishments and wish 
all involved continued success. I ask my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he 
may consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), also the 
distinguished Chair of the Armed Services Committee on which I serve.
  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and 
let me take this opportunity to congratulate the gentlelady from Kansas 
(Mrs. Boyda) for paying tribute to the Kansas University football 
program. It is impressive.
  But I would yield to the gentleman from Iowa if he would answer a few 
questions.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Yes, I will.
  Mr. SKELTON. I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to 
ask you if you know of the outcome of the Missouri University Tigers 
football team when they played the Kansas Jayhawks on November 24, 
2007.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. No.
  Mr. SKELTON. Would you be interested in knowing that the Missouri 
Tigers defeated the Kansas Jayhawks 36-28 on November 24, 2007?
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Yes.
  Mr. SKELTON. And would you also be interested in knowing that the 
Missouri Tigers finished fourth on the national Associated Press poll 
to Kansas' number 7 on the Associated Press poll?
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Yes.
  Mr. SKELTON. I thank you.
  Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Skelton for his 
comments.
  Mrs. BOYDA of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce House 
Resolution 948, which honors the University of Kansas football program 
on their recent victory at the Orange Bowl and their most successful 
year in program history.
  On January 3, the KU football team won the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl, 
marking their first major bowl victory in university history. Leading 
up to the bowl game, the team placed 12 wins on their roster, setting a 
new school record for wins in a season. KU also reached the number two 
spot of the AP national poll, which marked the highest national ranking 
that the program has ever received.
  Among their athletic accomplishments this season, the team also 
produced three students who received All-American titles for their 
performances on the field and two other students who were Academic All-
American recipients. Head Coach Mark Mangino also received multiple 
national Coach of the Year honors.
  Please join me in recognizing these accomplishments and 
congratulating KU on their amazing victories this season.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 948, as amended.
  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. KUHL of New York. 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 motion will be 
postponed.

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