Commending Louisiana State University Tigers for Winning 2003 Bowl Championship
COMMENDING LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY TIGERS FOR WINNING 2003 BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AND COMMENDING SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY JAGUARS FOOTBALL TEAM FOR WINNING 2003 SBN BLACK COLLEGE NATIONAL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP -- (House of Representatives - February 11, 2004)
Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order at any time for the majority leader or his designee to call up House Resolution 496; the resolution be considered as read; and the previous question be considered as ordered on the resolution to final adoption without intervening motion except (1) one hour of debate and (2) one motion to recommit.
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Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the previous order of the House, and as the designee of the majority leader, I call up the resolution (H. Res. 496) commending the Louisiana State University Tigers football team for winning the 2003 Bowl Championship Series national championship game, and commending the Southern University Jaguars football team for winning the 2003 SBN Black College National Football championship, and ask for its immediate consideration.
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Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. John), for purposes of debate only.
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Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 496.
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Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a particular note of pride to speak on behalf of two fine athletic achievements from institutions both domiciled within the great city of Baton Rouge.
It began last fall when LSU set eight school records during the 2003 season. They won 13 games during that season, more games than in any other season in Louisiana State University history. They won the Southeastern Conference championship, defeating the University of Georgia by a score of 34 to 13 in the Southeastern Conference championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on December 6, 2003. This was followed by a terrific game and a victory in the 2003 Bowl Championship Series for the national championship, defeating Oklahoma University by a score of 21 to 14 in the Nokia Sugar Bowl on January 4, 2004.
Let me say a word about the excellent Oklahoma team and the manner in which their athletes competed. There was no giving up until the final whistle blew. It was a terrific game to watch.
But I want to express great appreciation to the young men of the LSU football team for their commitment to excellence and their hard work in pursuit of this championship. As a result of this effort, they were first in the Nation in total defense, allowing only 252 yards per game, and scoring defense, allowing only one team in a game to score more than 20 points. As a result of this outstanding effort, Coach Nick Saban was named the National Coach of the Year by the Associated Press and the Football Writers Association of America, and Chad Lavalais, Corey Webster, Skyler Green and Stephen Peterman were all named first-team All-Americans.
At the same time, as amazing as this accomplishment was for any athletic program, located just across the city is the great Southern University, also within the Sixth Congressional District of Louisiana.
They ended their football season, finishing with a 12 and 1 record, defeating Grambling State University in an exciting game, 44 to 41, to win the 2003 State Farm Bayou Classic and the right to go to the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game.
On December 13, 2003, in front of 31,617 fans in Birmingham, Alabama, the Southern University team defeated Alabama State by a score of 20 to 9 to win the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game and Southern University's 19th Southwestern Athletic Conference title, consequently were named the 2003 SBN Black College National Football Champions.
This is an extraordinary occurrence, when two programs of such excellence achieve national prominence and bring home the national championship.
Although there has been some discussion about the manner in which this championship was arrived at, I would be quick to point out that this resolution is the first such resolution to be considered on the House floor, and appropriately so, because I believe, without doubt, LSU and Southern University are first in the Nation in football excellence.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Chairman Tauzin).
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Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from North Louisiana (Mr.
McCrery).
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Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I wish to read into the RECORD additional commendations that are certainly appropriate. I recognize that Coach Saban was named the Associated Press Coach of the Year. I would like to also recognize the Southern University Coach, Pete Richardson, who was named Coach of the Year by the Southwestern Athletic Conference, as well as having young men named to the SBN Black College All American Team, including quarterback Quincy Richard, offensive linemen Arnold Sims
and Miniya Smith, and defensive back Lenny Williams. So the achievements and recognition coming to both universities, their football leadership, and the members of the team have been extraordinary.
It is with great pleasure that I participate in this discussion this afternoon and note, as I did a few moments ago to the gentleman from Louisiana, that this is also the first resolution to be considered in the House on this matter. Although there appeared to be controversy, I do not consider it so. There was merely discussion about the efficacy of Louisiana State University being named number one as a result of some expressed concerns about the BCS. Those concerns only became apparent when the calculations turned out the way they did at the end of the day. Many people were quite happy to abide by the BCS scientific analysis as long as LSU remained in third position.
So I just wanted to enter into the RECORD that once again, with the consideration of this resolution, LSU is moving forward in first place through the legislative process.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. JOHN. I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana.
Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that when we start a political campaign as hopeful candidates to be elected to Congress, we set up a standard of rules, we conduct the campaign, and we finalize the campaign based on those pre-determined sets of rules. Rarely do we get engaged in a discussion about changing the rules during the course of the campaign.
I think, although I had some differences myself with the way the BCS calculations were to ultimately be determined, once the BCS was put in place, win or lose, we had to abide by those rules until that season was over.
Now next season may bring us new opportunities to talk about perhaps playoff opportunities. Some were interested in seeing a playoff game between LSU and USC. I would personally have enjoyed that to a great extent.
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Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to offer this resolution for consideration by the House. I look forward to its final adoption and, more importantly, next season.
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Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.