[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 17123-17124]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 617--CONGRATULATING THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2012 HEISMAN 
                            MEMORIAL TROPHY

  Mrs. HUTCHISON (for herself and Mr. Cornyn) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 617

       Whereas, for the 78th time, the Heisman Memorial Trophy has 
     been awarded to the most outstanding collegiate football 
     player in the United States;
       Whereas Johnny Manziel overcame intense competition and 
     defied expectations during Texas A&M University's first year 
     in the Southeastern Conference;
       Whereas Manziel led the 2012 Texas A&M Aggie football team 
     to a regular season record of 10 wins and 2 losses;
       Whereas Manziel was awarded the Davey O'Brien National 
     Quarterback Award as the top quarterback in the National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association;
       Whereas Manziel became the first freshman, and only the 
     fifth player ever, in National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association Football Bowl Subdivision history to achieve 
     3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a season;
       Whereas Manziel became the first player in the Football 
     Bowl Subdivision to pass for 300 yards and rush for 100 yards 
     in the same game 3 times in his career;
       Whereas Manziel holds the freshman record for quarterback 
     rushing yards (1,114) and total yards in a season (4,600);
       Whereas Manziel was assisted by the leadership of 
     Southeastern Conference Co-Coach of the Year Kevin Sumlin, 
     the exceptional protection of the offensive line anchored by 
     Outland Trophy winner Luke Joeckel, and Texas A&M's 12th Man;
       Whereas Manziel became the second Heisman Trophy winner at 
     Texas A&M, preceded by John David Crow in 1957;
       Whereas Manziel started the development of his athletic 
     capabilities before attending Texas A&M in the cities of 
     Tyler, Texas, and Kerrville, Texas;
       Whereas 2012 marks the eighth time a player at a university 
     in Texas has won the Heisman Trophy and back-to-back years of 
     keeping the award in Texas;
       Whereas the hullabaloo of Manziel becoming the first 
     freshman to win the Heisman Trophy is another testament to 
     the strength and skill of Texas football; and
       Whereas Manziel has combined incredible talent with hard 
     work and a good heart: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate congratulates the recipient of 
     the 2012 Heisman Memorial Trophy.

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, today, Texas A&M University students, 
faculty, alumni, and fans--known as the 12th Man--are filled with pride 
and joy over the first Aggie to win the Heisman Trophy since John David 
Crow's Heisman-season in 1957. Johnny Manziel was named the 2012 
Heisman Trophy winner for his incredible accomplishments on the 
gridiron. Texas A&M finished this season ranked No. 9 nationally with a 
record of 10 wins and 2 losses including an impressive victory in 
Tuscaloosa, Alabama over the previously ranked No. 1 University of 
Alabama, Crimson Tide.
  At a young age, Johnny Manziel's parents, Paul and Michelle Manziel 
instilled a discipline to succeed. Their parenting laid the groundwork 
for his competitiveness and strong work ethic. Raised in Tyler, Texas, 
and a graduate of Tivy High School in Kerrville, Texas, Johnny was a 
high school star athlete never willing to back down because of his size 
or age.
  Johnny's time at Texas A&M may not be extensive but his freshman year

[[Page 17124]]

statistics and accomplishments are not short of anything but 
extraordinary. Johnny is the first freshman in National Collegiate 
Athletic Association, NCAA, history to ever win the prestigious Heisman 
Trophy. Johnny also became the first freshman and only the fifth player 
ever, in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, FBS, history to achieve 3,000 
passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a season. Incredibly, Johnny 
became the first player in the FBS to pass for 300 yards and rush for 
100 yards in the same game three times in his career. He also earned 
the Davey O'Brien Award, presented annually to the best NCAA 
quarterback.
  On Saturday, December 8, 2012, Johnny Manziel was recognized as the 
greatest college football player of the year. The Heisman Trophy is the 
most prestigious award in college sports, and no one is more deserving 
of this honor than Johnny Manziel.
  Congratulations to Johnny Manziel on a truly memorable season; to his 
family, who provided the foundation for his abilities; to his teammates 
and to all of Aggieland. This is truly a historic ending to a 
tremendous freshman season.

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