Recognizing Benefits and Importance of School-Based Music Education

RECOGNIZING BENEFITS AND IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL-BASED MUSIC EDUCATION -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 06, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. DIANA DeGETTE
OF COLORADO
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2004

Ms. DEGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support House Concurrent Resolution 408, which congratulates the University of Denver for winning the 2004 NCAA Men's Hockey championship. DU's national title, its first since 1969, came against the top-ranked Maine Black Bears, in a nail-biter that stunned the collegiate hockey world.

The championship game on Saturday, April 10, 2004 was college hockey at its best. I watched as the Pioneers took an early lead with a goal by Gabe Gauthier in the first period. The rest of the game was a scoreless defensive struggle. Hockey fans from the Rocky Mountains to the New England coast held their breath during the excruciating final two minutes of the game. In a sequence only fitting for the nationally televised season finale, Maine secured a Power Play while trailing Denver 1-0 when the Pioneers were assessed with two penalties, giving the Black Bears a two-man advantage. In the final minute of play, Maine pulled its goaltender to add another attacker, putting Denver at a 6-3 disadvantage. The clock slowly ticked down to zero, and DU emerged victorious, led by an extraordinary 24-save performance by goaltender Adam Berkhoel, who was named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. His shutout was only the third in the history of the championship game.

It was a great way to end the season for the seven seniors on the Pioneer team. The class of 2004 won more games at the University of Denver than any since the 1973 graduating seniors. Head Coach Geoge Gwozecky is to be congratulated as well. He is the only person to ever win NCAA titles as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.

The Denver Post noted that the championship game between the University of Denver and the University of Maine was amazing because "they proved that two mid-sized universities can excel in one of the country's mainstay sports." This year's champion Pioneers added a sixth hockey championship to the university's fine athletic record, which includes a record 17 Division I ski team championships, and two titles for the women's gymnastic program. Not only does the University of Denver excel in athletics, it is a prestigious academic institution as well. U.S. News and World Report recently ranked three DU graduate programs among the country's best.

The championship is especially poignant, because the University of Denver hockey program tragically lost one of its most famed alumni just before Christmas last year. Keith Magnuson, the captain of the last DU team to capture the national title 35 years ago, was killed in a car accident just four months ago. Still active with the University, Magnuson regularly attended hockey games, gave locker room speeches to the team, and even played in the school's homecoming game this season. Following his death, the team dedicated the season to his memory, but no one could have imagined the success the team has enjoyed.

Mr. Speaker, I was proud to sponsor this bill, which congratulates the University of Denver 2004 championship hockey team. I am happy to report that the entire Colorado congressional delegation cosponsored H. Con. Res. 408. I also wish to congratulate the Maine Black Bears for an excellent season, and a hard fought championship game. I look forward to a victory celebration for the Pioneers at the U.S. Capitol. I thank the Speaker for bringing this bill to the floor and urge my colleagues to support me in congratulating the University of Denver.