[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 11584-11587]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE NATIONAL CHAMPION UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA MEN'S 
                            BASKETBALL TEAM

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 348) congratulating the University of North 
Carolina men's basketball team for winning the 2009 NCAA Division I 
Men's Basketball National Championship.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 348

       Whereas, on April 6, 2009, the University of North Carolina 
     Tar Heels defeated the Michigan State University Spartans 89-
     72 in the finals of the National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association (NCAA) Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 
     Detroit, Michigan;
       Whereas the Tar Heels now hold 6 men's basketball national 
     titles, including 5 NCAA tournament titles, tied for the 
     third most in NCAA history;
       Whereas the Tar Heels have won men's basketball national 
     championships in 1924, 1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, and 2009 and 
     have played in a record 18 ``Final Fours'';
       Whereas Tar Heels head coach and Asheville, North Carolina, 
     native Roy Williams won his second NCAA title in his sixth 
     year coaching the team, improving to 594-138 in 21 seasons as 
     a head coach, and has the highest winning percentage of any 
     active coach in men's basketball;
       Whereas Coach Williams and his coaching staff, including 
     Assistant Coaches Joe Holladay, Steve Robinson, and C.B. 
     McGrath, as well as each trainer, manager, and staff member, 
     deserve praise and credit for their outstanding dedication to 
     helping the North Carolina Tar Heels reach the summit of 
     college basketball;
       Whereas Tar Heel seniors Tyler Hansbrough, Danny Green, 
     Mike Copeland, Bobby Frasor, Marcus Ginyard, Patrick Moody, 
     J.B. Tanner, and Jack Wooten celebrated 4 years at North 
     Carolina with a National Championship, and became the 
     winningest class in the 99-year history of the University of 
     North Carolina men's basketball program;
       Whereas Tar Heel junior Wayne Ellington was named Most 
     Outstanding Player of the tournament, averaging 19.2 points 
     per game;
       Whereas Tar Heel junior Ty Lawson and senior Tyler 
     Hansbrough joined Wayne Ellington on the all-tournament team, 
     along with Spartans players Kalin Lucas and Goran Suton;
       Whereas the roster of the North Carolina Tar Heels also 
     included juniors Marc Campbell and Deon Thompson; sophomore 
     Will Graves; and freshmen Ed Davis, Larry Drew II, Justin 
     Watts, and Tyler Zeller;

[[Page 11585]]

       Whereas the Tar Heels set a record for the most points in 
     one half of a Championship game with 55, and Tar Heel point 
     guard Ty Lawson set a record for the most steals in a 
     Championship game with 8;
       Whereas the North Carolina Tar Heels finished the 2008-2009 
     season with 34 wins and 4 losses, completing their third 
     consecutive 30 win season;
       Whereas the Tar Heels won their second National 
     Championship in 5 years;
       Whereas the Tar Heel players, coaches, and staff are 
     outstanding representatives of the University of North 
     Carolina, the oldest public university in the country and a 
     distinguished leader in higher education that is consistently 
     ranked among the Nation's top universities in academic 
     performance;
       Whereas the Tar Heels showed tremendous dedication to their 
     team, appreciation to their fans, sportsmanship toward their 
     opponents, and respect for the game of basketball throughout 
     the 2009 season, maintaining the tradition of excellence 
     established by legendary coach Dean Smith; and
       Whereas residents of the Old North State and North Carolina 
     fans worldwide are to be congratulated for their long-
     standing support, perseverance, and pride in the team: Now, 
     therefore, be it
         Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
         (1) congratulates the national champion North Carolina 
     Tar Heels for their historic win in the 2009 National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Basketball 
     Championship;
         (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, 
     students, and support staff who were instrumental in helping 
     the University of North Carolina Tar Heels win the 
     tournament; and
         (3) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     make available enrolled copies of this resolution to 
     University of North Carolina Chancellor Holden Thorp, 
     Athletic Director Dick Baddour, and Head Coach Roy Williams 
     for appropriate display.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Polis) and the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado.


                             General Leave

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 348 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the sponsor 
of the bill, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price), and I ask 
unanimous consent that he be allowed to control that time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from North 
Carolina (Mr. Price) is recognized.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  I rise in support of House Resolution 348, congratulating the 
University of North Carolina men's basketball team for winning the 2009 
NCAA Division I National Championship. I am pleased to have the support 
of the entire North Carolina delegation as original cosponsors of this 
resolution.
  The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a special place to 
the entire State of North Carolina and, as the Nation's first public 
university, has long been a beacon of light and liberty in the South. 
The academic tradition of excellence and unyielding commitment to 
public service is what drew me across the mountains from Tennessee to 
Chapel Hill 50 years ago and largely shaped my life's further course.
  This year's success caps a remarkable history. UNC has played in a 
record 18 Final Fours and won the NCAA National Championship in 1957, 
1982, 1993, 2005, and 2009.
  While Head Coach Roy Williams inherited a first-class program, he 
deserves special credit for the exceptional success and character of 
his teams. Coach Williams, who is a native of the mountains of North 
Carolina, has the highest winning percentage of any active coach in 
men's basketball, and unquestionably sits at the top of his profession. 
Since he came to Carolina as head coach in 2003, the Tar Heels have won 
two NCAA championships, four Atlantic Coast Conference regular season 
championships, and two ACC tournament championships. The 2008-2009 
season marks their third consecutive 30-win season.
  Like the whole community of Carolina basketball fans, I'm exceedingly 
proud of this entire team--the players, the coaches, and the staff--for 
their outstanding performance in the Nation's most competitive and most 
watched college athletics tournament. In addition to their on-court 
success, the team has consistently shown academic commitment, 
appreciation to their fans, good sportsmanship toward their opponents, 
and respect for the game of basketball. I'm particularly proud that 
Inside Higher Education also crowned UNC its national champion in its 
annual academic NCAA tournament, signifying that UNC has the single 
best academic performance rate of any NCAA tournament team. These 
coaches and players have ably upheld the tradition of excellence--both 
on the court and in the classroom--established by legendary coaches 
Dean Smith and Bill Guthridge and now continued by Roy Williams.
  As an alumnus and Chapel Hill resident, this program and most recent 
championship make me very proud. These are my friends and neighbors--
Joan Ewing, my dear friend and former district director, is Dean 
Smith's sister--and it is my honor to represent all of them in 
Congress.
  But this year other alumni and I were not the only fans in Washington 
cheering the Tar Heels from afar. President Obama himself picked 
Carolina to bring home the title and played a pickup game with the team 
last spring before the North Carolina primary election. It's important 
to note that he did so while employing a former Duke basketball player 
as his closest personal aide. As the Member of this institution who 
represents both institutions and a Carolina alumnus who teaches at 
Duke, I can only salute such a feat of athletic bipartisanship with 
great admiration! It's very reassuring to have this display coming from 
our new President.
  So, colleagues, I urge the House to join President Obama and the 
North Carolina delegation in celebrating the Tar Heels. This is an 
institution and team who are worthy of our praise; not only because 
they found success, but because they did it the right way, the Carolina 
way.
  Hark the sound and go Heels.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would like to congratulate the University of North Carolina Tar 
Heels. I don't have the same level of connection with North Carolina as 
does Mr. Price, but I did pick them in my basketball pool, which I 
didn't win, by the way, but at least I won on that aspect of it; so I 
congratulate them for that.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to Mr. Latham. He, 
too, will congratulate North Carolina, but he wants to comment on the 
previous bill, which, unfortunately, he couldn't quite get here for, on 
community colleges.
  Mr. LATHAM. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I want to commend the gentleman from North Carolina on his resolution 
and congratulate the Tar Heels, and I rise in support of his 
resolution.
  I was detained a few moments ago on the previous resolution here. I 
had a group of very bright, young eighth graders from Garner-Hayfield, 
Iowa, on the east steps out here. But the previously discussed 
resolution was mine, honoring the National Community College Month, and 
I just want to make sure in the Record that it reflects how important I 
believe our community colleges are as far as economic growth and 
prosperity for the future and how important a role that they play as 
far as giving individuals in this difficult economy the opportunity to 
be successful, to have real careers.
  The community colleges today are where the rubber meets the road. I'm 
very proud to be co-chairman of the Community College Caucus, and I 
just want to introduce my formal statement into the Record. But I did 
want to come to the floor to congratulate my good friend from North 
Carolina but also to speak to the National Community College Month.
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman.

[[Page 11586]]

  I am now pleased to yield such time as he may consume to my friend 
and colleague, another UNC alumnus, Brad Miller of the 13th District of 
North Carolina.
  Mr. MILLER of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my 
colleague David Price to speak in favor, to take the pro side of this 
debate.
  I am a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I 
spoke a moment ago about the importance of community colleges in 
creating opportunities for people who otherwise would not have them. 
That is emphatically true for me and, for the University of North 
Carolina, the role it has played in my life. I could not be a Member of 
this body if it were not for the opportunities that the University of 
North Carolina, my State university, created for me and creates for 
thousands of middle class kids from North Carolina, kids from the 
middle class, people who are from families that are struggling to get 
into the middle class.
  I do trust my friend and colleague of longstanding from North 
Carolina, David Price, also a graduate of the University of North 
Carolina. I know that he also has been a professor at a nearby 
institution of lesser reputation, so I wanted to make sure there was 
someone here with absolutely unmixed loyalties who could speak in favor 
of this resolution.
  The men's basketball team this year was an exceptional group of 
athletes. The starting five, Tyler Hansbrough, Deon Thompson, Ty 
Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, others coming off the bench, 
Bobby Frasor, Ed Davis, Tyler Zeller, others, was an extraordinary 
group of athletes. There was no doubt that they would be at the Final 
Four in the mix for the title throughout the season.
  Mr. Price has already mentioned the frequency with which my 
university has won the national championship, but it bears repeating: 
1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, and 2009 the University of North Carolina has 
won the championship. But beyond just that accomplishment, that 
athletic accomplishment, we have done it with a basketball program that 
we can be proud of. Our academic standards have remained high. Our 
graduation rate for our basketball players, for our athletes is 
exceptionally high. Dean Smith, a revered figure in college athletics, 
in addition to being the coach of the men's basketball team for many 
years, in the 1960s when it was not such an easy thing to do, led with 
one of the leaders of the fight for racial justice in North Carolina, 
something that I think all North Carolina graduates can be proud of.
  I am proud that we have those banners hanging in the rafters that I 
mentioned, 1957, 1992, 1993, 2005, and 2009, but I'm even more proud of 
knowing that we will never have to take those banners down. We will 
never hear from the NCAA that we have violated the rules so flagrantly 
that we have to give our banners back.
  I am proud of this year's team. I'm proud of our men's basketball 
program. I'm proud of my university. And I urge all Members to vote for 
this resolution.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I thought somebody who's not from North Carolina should say something 
nice about North Carolina basketball in North Carolina, and I have a 
full statement, which I will submit.
  But I just want to congratulate the team and the university. And it's 
happened a lot before. We all know the excellence of North Carolina 
basketball. This is their sixth national title. Roy Williams has won 
twice now in his 6th year in coaching the team, improving to 594 wins 
and 138 losses in 21 seasons as a head coach, which gives him the 
highest winning percentage of any active coach in men's basketball. The 
individual players who are graduating this year excelled, obviously, 
and they deserve a tremendous amount of credit. Junior Wayne Ellington 
was the Most Outstanding Player. He, too, deserves a great deal of 
credit.
  And to our friends from North Carolina, I also recognize the 
academics of the institution and the great work which they have done 
not only for the State of North Carolina but other States such as my 
State of Delaware and other places that the North Carolina graduates 
have gone. North Carolina is in its third century. It has 71 
bachelor's, 107 master's, 74 doctorate, and four professional degree 
programs, and they're all very important for the future of North 
Carolina and for America.
  So we offer our congratulations to the entire University of North 
Carolina, to their athletic department as well as the basketball team, 
and obviously the academic school for all the great work which they 
have done. They are a shining example for the rest of us in this 
country.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1400

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my 
colleague from the Seventh District of North Carolina and yet another 
UNC alumnus, Mike McIntyre.
  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Resolution 348, a resolution congratulating my alma mater, University 
of North Carolina, men's basketball team for winning the 2009 NCAA 
Division I Men's Basketball National Championship.
  I can tell you as an undergraduate, who was in the class of Phil 
Ford, as many of our friends will remember, who had the famous four-
corners offense under Coach Dean Smith and as one who also went to law 
school at University of North Carolina when Sam Perkins and several 
other fellows, James Worthy and Matt Doherty, were all involved in the 
program, we saw some great years of basketball and Final Fours. And 
throughout, I know my life and the lives of many of us who have gone to 
the University of North Carolina, folks from all over--not just the 
State--but the Nation indeed, we take great pride in the winning 
tradition that we all have personally witnessed throughout the years by 
the University of North Carolina basketball team.
  In fact, both of my sons, Stephen and Joshua McIntyre, are now in law 
school at Carolina and were undergraduates when Carolina won its first 
title under Roy Williams just a few years ago in St. Louis, when we 
were there to watch the March to the Arch. And I had the great pleasure 
to be in Detroit for the Final Four to witness Carolina win this 
championship by our great coach, Roy Williams, his wonderful assistants 
and, of course, the great players for the Carolina team.
  The precedent that has been set by Dean Smith, the great tradition 
that he had, the wonderful work that Coach Roy Williams clearly has 
done, sends a strong message that success can be found through 
dedication and hard work. In fact, I would say that they have shown 
that despite all difficulties this team faced when they were chosen as 
preseason number one, and everybody expected them to win the 
championship--but then they went through difficult times--but then they 
came back and proved that, indeed, they were the national champions. It 
showed that the three Ds in the real world, dreams, dedication and 
determination, lead to success such as this Tar Heel team found in 
winning the national championship.
  Having a dream, being dedicated to it as those players worked and 
worked, despite the difficulty, the coaching staff worked, the managers 
that supported the team, and then they came together through that 
dedication to that dream, they were determined to prove they, indeed, 
were the number one team in the Nation. That they did in Detroit.
  I cannot say enough about the great program that this is in terms of 
what it exemplifies in terms of the values of teamwork, commitment, 
loyalty, courage and being able to stand up against adversity. It sends 
a strong message of success that others can emulate in other programs 
around this country; and it speaks to young people everywhere. Five 
NCAA championships for the University of North Carolina, plus the 
championship, a national championship prior to when the NCAA was 
formed. So, really, six national championships have been won now by the 
men's basketball team.

[[Page 11587]]

  On behalf of the United States Congress, let me join my colleagues in 
saying, and as a proud fellow alumnus of the University of North 
Carolina and as one who has family members attending the University of 
North Carolina now, we are very proud of our Tar Heels. The citizens of 
North Carolina and the United States Congress are proud of the 
exemplary role that they have played in college sports and the example 
they have set for our Nation.
  God bless the Tar Heel boys.
  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I had yielded back the balance of my time, 
but the distinguished gentleman from Kentucky has arrived and would 
like 2 minutes.
  I ask unanimous consent to yield him 2 minutes.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Delaware?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CASTLE. Before he starts, I am just surprised that the gentleman 
from North Carolina didn't object to somebody representing Kentucky 
basketball speaking, but Mr. Rogers is a distinguished gentleman.
  I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers).
  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Thank you, Mr. Castle, for yielding me this 
time.
  I couldn't let this opportunity pass without congratulating the 
University of North Carolina, the Tar Heels, and my friend and 
colleague, Mr. Price, for offering this resolution, and I strongly 
support it.
  As an alumnus of the University of Kentucky, a frequent rival of the 
Tar Heels on the basketball court and a frequent national champion 
itself, we recognize that excellence of the North Carolina basketball 
program and its great coach, who has distinguished himself in so many 
different ways.
  So from the SEC, we want to congratulate the ACC and particularly the 
University of North Carolina for the great season and the great seasons 
that that school has had.
  I resided in Franklin, North Carolina, back in 1957, 1958, working at 
a radio station in Franklin, and that was the time when the State was 
developing the Research Triangle, which has been a sterling program for 
the Nation and the home of these great universities that populate that 
part of North Carolina and what a great amount of progress the State 
has made in those years.
  So I count myself a great admirer of the State of North Carolina and 
especially of this basketball program, which has meant so much to the 
young people going through that great university. It exemplifies, I 
think, the excellence of that system, that school.
  So I stand here, from the University of Kentucky, and we have had our 
knocks the past few years; but watch out, we're coming back.
  I want to congratulate David and all the Carolinians who are 
supporting this resolution and add one more voice, this time from the 
SEC, in congratulations to UNC.
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my 
colleague from Kentucky, knowing him and how much he knows and cares 
about basketball and knowing about that Kentucky tradition. Those words 
really mean a great deal coming from him. I think we are all grateful.
  Now I yield 3 minutes to yet another Carolina Representative from the 
Second Congressional District, Bob Etheridge.
  Mr. ETHERIDGE. I thank my colleague from the Fourth District for 
yielding. He has the great privilege, my colleague from Kentucky, he 
has the great privilege of representing an outstanding university in 
academics and research and now a school that has added to their joy 
with another national championship. But as my colleague from Kentucky 
said, I think all of us need to keep it in perspective.
  We are awful proud of the Tar Heels because they showed what, really, 
athletics are about: tenacity, having a commitment for excellence and 
strong academics. UNC is one of those institutions that anchors the 
corner through the Research Triangle, one of the fine research 
universities in this country and one of the regions that employs an 
awful lot of our people.
  So we are awful proud of the young men who come to North Carolina, 
who have added to the reputation of that great UNC institution in 
bringing home a national championship.
  I think for people who have played basketball, you can really 
appreciate what it takes, the pressures that are on those young men 
anywhere from 18 to 21 years of age, tremendous pressure over a full 
season and in several weeks leading to a championship where every game 
is a championship game. All you have to do is lose one game and you are 
out.
  I don't know of any greater pressure that a young person can have, 
and yet they showed the kind of class, the kind of strength, tremendous 
will. A lot of congratulations go to the coach, to the university and 
especially to those young men.
  Let me thank my colleague for bringing this resolution forward. I 
encourage all of my colleagues to join in supporting this resolution 
and congratulating an outstanding group of young men from all over the 
country who came to North Carolina to go to school, to get an education 
and play a sport that allowed them to get an education.
  I think folks begin to forget sometimes what we are talking about are 
student athletes. They are students first and then athletes. I thank 
you for doing this resolution. I am proud to have an opportunity to 
join him in congratulating these young men and the alums for that.
  I would close by saying that my daughter had our first grandson, she 
was a graduate, undergraduate, graduate school and law school, and the 
first thing she taught him to say was ``Go Heels.'' She didn't even get 
him to say, ``I am glad to see you, Grandaddy.'' It was ``Go Heels.''
  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I urge everybody to support this 
resolution, and I yield back the balance of our time.
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the comments 
of my colleague. As you might guess, from what he said and the way he 
looks, he knows whereof he speaks when he talks about playing 
basketball at the collegiate level.
  So we are grateful for these words of support and commend this 
resolution to all of our colleagues.
  I yield back the balance of our time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Baldwin). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 348.
  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. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on 
the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order 
that a quorum is not present.
  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.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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