[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 5322-5323]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO FOOTBALL TEAM FOR WINNING 
                           HUMANITARIAN BOWL

  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1041) congratulating and commending the University 
of Idaho's football team for winning the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl in 
Boise, Idaho.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1041

       Whereas the University of Idaho's football team won the 
     2009 Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho, on December 30, 2009, 
     its first bowl game in more than a decade;
       Whereas Coach Robb Akey led the team to significantly 
     improve its win-loss record to 8-5 this past season, the 
     first winning record since 1999;
       Whereas the University of Idaho beat Bowling Green 
     University 43-42 after successfully executing a nail-biting 
     2-point play in the final seconds of the game;
       Whereas senior guard Mike Lupati was named to the Senior 
     Bowl and as an All-American and Outland Trophy finalist for 
     best college football interior lineman;
       Whereas teammates visited Saint Luke's Regional Medical 
     Hospital to visit with children patients as part of the 
     Humanitarian Bowl outreach; and
       Whereas University of Idaho supporters look forward to 
     seeing the team build its promising momentum next season: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates and commends the University of Idaho's 
     football team for winning the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl in 
     Boise, Idaho; and
       (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, 
     students, alumni, and staff who were instrumental in helping 
     to secure the University of Idaho's Humanitarian Bowl win.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Chu) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous 
material on House Resolution 1041 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. CHU. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the University of Idaho 
football team for their victory in the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl.
  On December 30, football fans nationwide witnessed a thrilling game 
as the University of Idaho Vandals defeated the Bowling Green State 
University Falcons to win the Humanitarian Bowl title. Both teams 
showcased their offense talents, but when the final whistle blew, the 
University of Idaho edged out a victory over Bowling Green State 
University by a score of 43-42.
  The bowl game featured plenty of offense as the two teams traded 
touchdowns in one of the most exciting bowl games of the season. The 
game was tied and less than a minute left when Bowling Green scored a 
go-ahead touchdown. With only 28 seconds left in the game, the 
University of Idaho pieced together a 66-yard game-winning drive, and 
capped it off with a dramatic two-point conversion, going for the win 
instead of a tie and overtime.
  In the past 3 years, head coach Robb Akey has challenged his athletes 
to become better young men both on and off the field. In 2009, the 
University of Idaho earned a winning record for the first time in 10 
years, along with a spot in the Humanitarian Bowl. The team closed the 
year with the second bowl victory in school history. The only other 
time they appeared at the bowl game, they defeated the Southern 
Mississippi Golden Eagles in the 1998 Humanitarian Bowl.
  Congratulations to running back DeMaundray Woolridge, a senior, who 
was named a co-MVP of the game. Woolridge carried Idaho with 126 
rushing yards and two third quarter touchdowns.
  Congratulations are also due to wide receiver Max Komar for making 
the game-winning touchdown catch, which was his only reception of the 
game. Komar was the leading University of Idaho receiver and offensive 
player of the year during the regular season.
  Congratulations to quarterback Nathan Enderle, a junior, who threw 
for 240 passing yards and four touchdowns, including the epic game 
winner. Enderle finished the season with the seventh best passer 
efficiency rating, and was named the team's most valuable player.
  Last but not least, congratulations to offensive guard Mike Iupati, 
who was the team's offensive captain and a consensus All-American 
selection. He is the first University of Idaho player to receive this 
honor since 1957. Iupati is considered one of the top prospects 
available at his position in the 2010 NFL draft.
  The outstanding players and coaches at the University of Idaho 
produced a great turnaround season, and their accomplishments are a 
testament to their skill and perseverance. The support of students, 
alumni, and fans helped bring great pride to the school. Finishing the 
season with a winning record and a bowl victory will only push the team 
further as fans look forward to a successful 2010 season.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I congratulate the University of Idaho 
football team for their success.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

[[Page 5323]]

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1041, 
congratulating and commending the University of Idaho's football team 
for winning the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho.
  On December 30, 2009, the University of Idaho's football team won the 
2009 Humanitarian Bowl in Boise. The University of Idaho Vandals ended 
their outstanding season with a victory over Bowling Green State 
University. The Vandals won the game in the closing seconds to take a 
43-42 victory for their second Humanitarian Bowl.
  Head coach Robb Akey led the team to victory and to its first winning 
season since 1999. Senior guard Mike Iupati--and Mike, I apologize if I 
mess that up since he is an Outland Trophy finalist--was named to the 
Senior Bowl and was named an All-American and Outland Trophy finalist. 
The contributions of this outstanding player and coach were a large 
part of the Vandals' success this past season. While athletic success 
is what brings us here today, we should take time to highlight 
academics as well.
  The University of Idaho was founded in 1889, and it is the State of 
Idaho's flagship institution. Located in Moscow, Idaho, it is the 
State's oldest public university and the State's land-grant university. 
University programs are organized into 10 different colleges, which 
have graduated Olympic medalists, NFL coaches, CEOs of Fortune 500 
companies, and, of course, Congressmen.
  I extend my congratulations to University of Idaho president Duane 
Nellis, athletic director Dr. Rob Spear, head coach Robb Akey and his 
staff, the hardworking players, and the fans. I wish all continued 
success, and I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize for 3 minutes the 
gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Minnick).
  Mr. MINNICK. I am delighted that my colleagues from the States of 
Tennessee and California recognize that we do play football in Idaho 
and at a rather outstanding level, and I would ask that they might take 
back, particularly the gentlewoman from California, that word to the 
Pac-10 Conference commissioners, and both of you might mention our 
strong performance to the BCS, which currently grants teams from my 
State second-class status.
  The University of Idaho, in particular, is the turnaround story of 
the year in football in my part of the country. What coach Robb Akey 
has done is taken a mediocre team and, through superior recruiting and 
force of leadership, has turned it into its first winning season and 
its first Humanitarian Bowl victory in many years.
  It's fair to say, with the strong leadership of the coach in his 
producing outstanding student athletes like Mike Iupati, who went from 
the WAC and this bowl to the Senior Bowl as an All-American, that there 
are great things ahead. This league is very competitive, and the word 
from Idaho to all of our colleagues in the other 49 States is: The 
Vandals are back.

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of House Resolution 1041, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1041.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. CHU. Mr. 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.

                          ____________________