[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 785-786]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 350--CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA CRIMSON 
      TIDE FOR WINNING THE 2016 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL 
                              CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. SHELBY (for himself and Mr. Sessions) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 350

       Whereas the University of Alabama Crimson Tide won the 2016 
     College Football Playoff National Championship, defeating the 
     Clemson University Fighting Tigers by a score of 45-40 at the 
     University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on January 
     11, 2016;
       Whereas this victory marks the fourth college football 
     national championship in the last 7 years for the University 
     of Alabama and the 16th national championship overall;
       Whereas the 2016 College Football Playoff National 
     Championship Game was the 64th postseason bowl appearance and 
     the 36th bowl victory for the University of Alabama, both of 
     which extend existing National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association records held by the University of Alabama;
       Whereas running back Derrick Henry rushed for 158 yards and 
     scored 3 touchdowns;
       Whereas running back Kenyan Drake returned a kickoff 95 
     yards for a touchdown;

[[Page 786]]

       Whereas safety Eddie Jackson made 3 tackles and a key 
     interception, earning the award for Defensive Player of the 
     Game;
       Whereas tight end O.J. Howard caught 5 passes for a career-
     high 208 yards and 2 touchdowns, earning the award for 
     Offensive Player of the Game;
       Whereas quarterback Jake Coker finished with 335 passing 
     yards and 2 touchdowns;
       Whereas, in 2015, Derrick Henry was awarded the Doak Walker 
     Award as the best running back in the United States and the 
     Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award as the best overall 
     player in college football;
       Whereas offensive lineman Ryan Kelly was awarded the 2015 
     Rimington Trophy as the top center in the United States;
       Whereas the offensive line of the Crimson Tide won the 2015 
     Joe Moore Award, awarded to the top offensive line in the 
     United States;
       Whereas, in 2015, the Associated Press recognized Derrick 
     Henry, A'Shawn Robinson, and Reggie Ragland as first-team 
     All-Americans;
       Whereas the leadership and vision of Head Coach Nick Saban 
     has propelled the University of Alabama back to the pinnacle 
     of college football;
       Whereas Chancellor Robert Witt, President Stuart Bell, and 
     Athletic Director Bill Battle have emphasized the importance 
     of academic success to the Crimson Tide football team and to 
     all student-athletes at the University of Alabama; and
       Whereas the Crimson Tide football team has brought great 
     pride and honor to the University of Alabama, the loyal fans 
     of the Crimson Tide, and the entire State of Alabama: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the University of Alabama Crimson Tide 
     for winning the 2016 College Football Playoff National 
     Championship Game;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of all the players, 
     coaches, and staff who contributed to the championship 
     season; and
       (3) requests that the Secretary of the Senate prepare an 
     official copy of this resolution for presentation to--
       (A) the President of the University of Alabama, Dr. Stuart 
     Bell;
       (B) the Athletic Director of the University of Alabama, 
     Bill Battle; and
       (C) the Head Coach of the University of Alabama Crimson 
     Tide football team, Nick Saban.

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