Congratulating California State University Fullerton Titans Baseball Team on 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I College World Se
CONGRATULATING CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FULLERTON TITANS BASEBALL TEAM ON 2004 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I COLLEGE WORLD SERIES -- (House of Representatives - July 12, 2004)
Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 704) congratulating the California State University, Fullerton Titans baseball team for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I College World Series.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 704
Whereas on June 27, 2004, the California State University, Fullerton Titans baseball team won the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I College World Series Championship, the fourth College World Series Championship for the Titans baseball team;
Whereas the Titans defeated the top ranked University of Texas Longhorns by scores of three to two and six to four in consecutive games of the best-of-three World Series Championship in Omaha, Nebraska;
Whereas the Titans completed a remarkable season capped by finishing first in the Big West Conference during the regular season, winning the Big West Conference tournament championship, and winning the NCAA Championship in the same year after starting the season with a record of 15 wins and 16 losses;
Whereas Titans Head Coach George Horton was named the 2004 Big West Conference Coach of the Year for the third time in his career;
Whereas Titans baseball team members Kurt Suzuki and Jason Windsor were honored as All-Americans for the 2004 season by Baseball America;
Whereas the Titans baseball team has displayed outstanding dedication, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the season in achieving the highest honor in collegiate baseball;
Whereas the students, alumni, and faculty of California State University, Fullerton, and other fans of California State University, Fullerton Titans baseball have shown tremendous commitment and support to the Titans baseball program; and
Whereas the Titans have brought pride to the California State University, Fullerton, community and to the State of California: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates the California State University, Fullerton Titans baseball team for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I College World Series Championship.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri).
GENERAL LEAVE
Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 704.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Wisconsin?
There was no objection.
Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the author of the resolution.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 704, which is legislation that I introduced. And this legislation congratulates my alma mater, the Cal State Fullerton Titans baseball team, on winning the 2004 College World Series. I am pleased that my colleagues from Orange County have joined me in acknowledging this triumphant season for the Titans.
For those of us who grew up in Orange County, this is a momentous occasion. This is the fourth time in the school's history that the Titans have won the College World Series championship.
[Time: 14:15]
The Titans' victory was far from predicted. They were the underdog from the start. They started this season with a 15-16 won-loss record at midseason. Despite their early struggles, the Titans continued to display character and resiliency by working hard. This scrappy Cal State-Fullerton baseball team went on to beat the odds and did so in the most humble fashion possible, through good old-fashioned teamwork.
Cal State-Fullerton went on to win the Big West Conference over perennial conference powerhouse Long Beach State. This contentious conference is hard fought year after year, with the Titans always displaying consistency and determination, although favorable results are not always the outcome. However, this season, as in some seasons past, the Titans emerged victorious alongside their passionate coach George Horton, who sees every opportunity as one in which positive results may rise.
The Titans continued their inspiring display of teamwork and will to win throughout the College World Series. They defeated the University of Miami Hurricanes and then the University of South Carolina Gamecocks in the semifinals. This run of the Titans culminated with their sweep of the best-of-three championship series by defeating the top-ranked University of Texas Longhorns 6-4 and 3-2 in come-from-behind victories.
The Cal State-Fullerton Titans finished with an overall record of 47 wins and 22 losses and a postseason record of 11 wins and 2 losses. This victory for Cal State-Fullerton head coach George Horton was bittersweet as he defeated his longtime mentor and friend Augie Garrido who led the Titans in the past for 21 seasons during which he won three national championships before leaving to coach the University of Texas Longhorns back in 1996.
The atmosphere at both the stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, and back home in Orange County was electrifying. Fans across Orange County displayed their Titan pride in waves by wearing Cal State-Fullerton colors identified by the distinguishable orange and blue.
The Titans were welcomed home by an enthusiastic crowd of supporters upon their arrival in Orange County where a parade took place in honor of these exceptional college athletes.
Throughout the season, the Titans were led by a gutsy group of players such as All-Americans Kurt Suzuki, who hit a single with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning driving home the game-winning run in the final game of the series, and Jason Windsor, who pitched his second complete game of the College World Series, earning him Most Outstanding Player honors as they captured the NCAA Division I baseball championship.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Cal State-Fullerton Titans' players, coaches, staff and fans who were instrumental in bringing the College World Series championship back to Fullerton for a fourth time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Wisconsin in consideration of this resolution, and so I rise in support of H. Res. 704, recognizing the NCAA men's baseball championship earned by the California State-Fullerton Titans. The Titans started 15-16, highly unusual, but they capped a memorable run to the 2004 national championship with a 3-2 win over Texas. Cal State-Fullerton's All-American catcher, Kurt Suzuki, hit an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning to put the Titans ahead to stay.
Despite the loss, Texas coach Augie Garrido, the Texas players and their fans should be proud of a well-played season. By winning this championship, California State-Fullerton's coach George Horton and the rest of the Titans have a lifelong memory to treasure. Cal State's fans and the entire university community should be proud, as they are, of their team's accomplishments.
I want to urge Members to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 704.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
END