[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 281]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MARK INGRAM, JR.

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, in December, Mark Ingram, Jr. became 
the 75th college football player to win the Heisman Memorial Trophy as 
the Most Outstanding College Football Player in the United States for 
2009. In winning this award, one of the most coveted and prestigious 
awards any college athlete can receive, Mark joined an exclusive and 
distinguished list of college football players, which includes many of 
the greatest players to ever lace up a pair of cleats. This honor must 
be especially gratifying for Mark as he becomes both the first person 
from Flint, MI, and the first player from the University of Alabama to 
be declared the winner of this award.
  This year was an especially close race. In fact, it is reported that 
this was one of the closest ballots in the history of the award. There 
are many great players on the college level today, and Mark can take 
particular pride in knowing that, as a sophomore, he put together a 
2009 season that outshone them all. Clearly, he has earned the respect 
and admiration of the many that follow and cover college football on a 
daily basis.
  Mark had an outstanding sophomore season. He scored 17 touchdowns and 
amassed 1,658 rushing yards, a single-season school rushing record. In 
addition to winning the Heisman, Mark was honored as the SEC Offensive 
Player of the Year. These are tremendous honors, and in a emotional 
acceptance speech, Mark spoke about the many people and situations that 
helped him to develop the drive and determination necessary to excel on 
the gridiron. Mark grew up and played high school football in Flint, 
MI, and is, simply the latest athlete from this talent rich area of 
Michigan to excel in collegiate or professional competition.
  After winning this award, Mark went on to lead his football team to a 
37 to 21 victory in the BCS Championship Game, which was played in the 
Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, on January 7. In that game, Mark scored a 
late touchdown that sealed his team's victory. He rushed for 116 yards 
in 22 carries, which helped his team secure a hard fought victory and 
earned him recognition as the offensive player of the game.
  While his exceptional athletic qualities are now well known to many, 
I am equally delighted to know that Mark also has distinguished himself 
in the classroom. This, to me, speaks volumes about his character, 
focus, and determination. His future appears to be bright both on and 
off of the football field. I know my colleagues join me in 
congratulating Mark Ingram, Jr. on this most impressive achievement. I 
wish him the best for a long and rewarding career, both on and off of 
the gridiron.

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