Congratulating the University of Denver men's hockey team for winning the 2004 NCAA men's hockey national championship, and for other purposes.

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.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 408) congratulating the University of Denver men's hockey team for winning the 2004 NCAA men's hockey national championship, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 408, which congratulates the University of Denver's men's hockey team for winning the 2004 NCAA men's hockey national championship.

On Saturday, April 10, 2004, the University of Denver men's hockey team won its sixth national hockey championship by defeating the University of Maine 1 to nothing. The University of Denver had previously won five national titles in a 12-year span between 1950 and 1962, but this year's championship was their first since that time.

It was an exciting game, with the Denver Pioneers keeping the Maine Black Bears scoreless, despite a three-man advantage for Maine with 2 minutes to go in the third period of the match.

The game was just the third shutout in NCAA hockey championship history, and the announced crowd of 18,597 was the largest to watch a hockey game in the Fleet Center, which is the home of the NHL's Boston Bruins.

Adam Berkhoel, Denver's goalie, made 24 saves in the 2004 championship game and was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Frozen Four, which is the finals for the NCAA hockey matches.

The resolution before the House today congratulates the University of Denver men's hockey team, its players and coaches, for winning the 2004 NCAA men's hockey national championships, and recognizes the achievement of all the team's players, coaches, and staff.

Indeed, Denver University, the citizens of Denver and Colorado and all the students of the university are to be congratulated for their commitment and the great pride they take in this great accomplishment by winning the NCAA hockey championships.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who has served his country and who remains a role model for his family and community.

I speak of Louis P. Bartolotta, Sr. Louis is a veteran of the Second World War. He was born the son of immigrant parents in 1918. He married his wife Ida in 1941, just three months before Pearl Harbor. This year they will celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary.

On November 26th, 1943, he was aboard a British transport ship, the HMT Rohna, when the vessel was attacked by a German bomber off the coast of North Africa. Over one thousand United States service members and more than 100 British and Allied officers and crewmembers lost their lives in the attack. Louis is a survivor of that tragic day. In October of 2000, Congress recognized the heroic sacrifices made by those who lost their lives, the survivors and their families in House Concurrent Resolution 408.

Today Louis and Ida live in Boynton Beach, Florida. At the end of May, as we dedicate the World War II Memorial, they will visit Washington, D.C. to participate in the Rohna Survivors convention.

Mr. Speaker, as we honor the veterans of World War II please let us add to those tributes those who lost their lives on the HMT Rohna as well as those who survived, like my dear friend Louis.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 408, a resolution congratulating the University of Denver for winning the NCAA hockey national championship. Just last month, the Pioneers captured the national championship after a hard fought Frozen Four. This championship culminated in an impressive season. College fans, student athletes, and the general public were treated to an exciting final game.

I want to extend my hearty congratulations to Head Coach George Gwozdecky. Also to be congratulated are a number of players, Adam Berkhoel, who made 24 saves. I also want to extend my congratulations to North Dakota, who, despite their loss, showed the quality of their school and their athletic talent through great sportsmanship.

Winning this championship has brought national acclaim to the University of Denver. I hope the Pioneers' fans and the university community treasure this moment for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.