[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 19597]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE PORTLAND, OREGON, TIMBERS ON THEIR MAJOR LEAGUE 
                           SOCCER CUP VICTORY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor this morning barely 
able to talk. But not having much of a voice is common in Portland, 
Oregon, these days, as fans shouted themselves hoarse after the 
Portland Timbers' stunning victory over the Columbus Crew on Sunday, 
winning the Major League Soccer Cup.
  There is no doubt that my hometown of Portland, Oregon, is Soccer 
City, USA. Fans continue to prove the point with a huge celebration 
today.
  I want to congratulate the Timbers for an amazing season and for 
being such a huge part, indeed, of Portland, and all of Oregon.
  This season had it all: injuries and bumps along the way that made 
Sunday's result seem highly unlikely. But under the leadership and 
direction of Coach Caleb Porter, the Timbers stayed focused and made 
course corrections that led them to a national championship, finishing 
with a flourish.
  This team has so many heroes that it is impossible, in the time I 
have, to give them their due recognition. But I want to give special 
mention to new U.S. citizen Darlington Nagbee; Diego Chara; Rodney 
Wallace; Jake Gleason; and the old, salty dog, Jack Jewsbury, all of 
whom have been with the Timbers since our inaugural season.
  I also want to highlight the Maestro, Diego Valeri; defenders Liam 
Ridgewell and Nat Borchers, he of the beard; as well as goalkeeper Adam 
Kwarasay for their heroic efforts this season.
  Merritt Paulson and his management team deserve recognition for their 
passion for the support and their love for our city.
  Of course, you can't mention the Portland Timbers without talking 
about, as the song goes, the greatest football supporters the world has 
ever seen, the Timbers Army. Your dedication to team, town, and country 
is an inspiration and very much in evidence in Columbus this weekend.
  Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by reminding all of America and several 
places in Canada that, in case you didn't get the hint with Timber Joey 
and his chain saw, there is no pity in the Rose City.

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