Congratulating the University of Illinois Fighting Illini men's tennis team for its successful season.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 391) congratulating the University of Illinois Fighting Illini men's tennis team for its successful season.

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. 391.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 391, a resolution congratulating the University of Illinois Fighting Illini men's tennis team for its successful season; and particularly its rare Triple Crown win.

The mission statement for the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics states that its aim is to ``have the highest quality athletics program in all sports that allows the University of Illinois teams to compete for championships in the Big Ten Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.''

The men's tennis team accomplished this ambitious and worthwhile goal when, earlier this year, the fighting Illini concluded its season with a national championship win in the team tournament, the singles tournament and the doubles tournament. Since the tennis team championship format began in 1977, no other team has captured the Triple Crown of college tennis by using three different players in the singles and doubles tournaments.

Additionally, deserving of commendation is the Fighting Illini's seventh consecutive Big Ten Conference regular season championship and their sixth Big Ten Tournament crown in the last 7 years.

The Fighting Illini has become the team with the most all-time wins and the fourth undefeated and untied team in the 84-year history of the University of Illinois men's tennis program. The distinction earned by these players and their remarkable repeat victories of the team reflect the dedication of each player, the leadership of Coach Craig Tiley, and the support of family, friends and fans. I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Johnson) for introducing this resolution and extend my congratulations to each of the hardworking players on each of the Fighting Illini teams, to Coach Tiley, and to the University of Illinois, I am happy to join my colleagues in honoring the success of this team and wish them continued success. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Johnson) for bringing forth this resolution honoring the Fighting Illini athletes, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 391 and commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Johnson) for introducing this resolution.

This resolution recognizes the success of the University of Illinois men's tennis team. The Fighting Illini finished off its season with a rare Triple Crown, including national championships in the team tournament, singles tournament and doubles tournament. This marked the first team championship for the tennis team at the University of Illinois. In fact, this is the first national championship for the Fighting Illini in any sport since 1989. I congratulate Coach Craig Tiley and all of

the student athletes on the tennis team.

Winning a national championship is something to be proud of, not only for the university but for its students, faculty, and the surrounding community. The achievement that marks a national championship brings out the best athletic performance our collegiate sports have to offer. Everyone involved in this should be congratulated for their performances.

In closing, I would urge Members to support this resolution, and again I commend the University of Illinois men's tennis team, extend to them my commendations and extend to the President, President Stukel and all of the faculty, this is a rare occurrence for the University of Illinois. I know everybody in Illinois is indeed delighted that the university has reached this milestone.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a truly remarkable group of young athletes. The University of Illinois fighting Illini Men's Tennis Team had a memorable and historic 2002-2003 season. Beside winning their seventh consecutive Big Ten Conference regular- season championship, as well as their sixth Big Ten Tournament crown in the last 7 years, the undefeated Fighting Illini won the first NCA team championship in the history of the University of Illinois tennis program.

Using three different players in the singles and doubles tournaments, the Illini captured the rare triple crown of college tennis by winning the national championships in the team tournament, the singles tournament, and the doubles tournament and were the first team in the Nation to do so with three different players since the current NCAA tennis team championship format began in 1977.

Coach Craig Tiley, Assistant Coach Bruce Berque and the entire University of Illinois men's tennis team are a great source of pride for their university, the Champaign-Urbana community and the 15th District of Illinois. I thank Chairman Boehner and Alison Ream of the Education and Workforce Committee for their help with bringing H. Res. 391 to the floor and I ask my colleagues to support the bill.