Congratulating the San Jose Earthquakes for winning the 2003 Major League Soccer Cup.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this month I was not present for several recorded votes because pressing business required me to remain in Colorado. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

Rollcall No. 42--H. Res. 519--Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the earthquake that occurred in San Luis Obispo County, California, on December 22, 2003, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall No. 43--H. Res. 392--Congratulating the Detroit Shock for winning the 2003 Women's National Basketball Association championship, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall No. 44--H. Res. 475--Congratulating the San Jose Earthquake for winning the 2003 Major League Soccer Cup, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall No. 45--On approving the Journal, I would have voted ``no.''

Rollcall No. 46--S. 1881: to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to make technical corrections relating to the amendments by the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act of 2002, and for other purposes, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall No. 47--H. Con. Res. 373: expressing the sense of Congress that Kids Love a Mystery is a program that promotes literacy and should be encouraged, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall No. 48--Amendment to H.R. 339 offered by Mr. Scott (VA) to add a new section which provides that the bill does not apply to an action brought by a State agency to enforce a State consumer protection law concerning mislabeling or other unfair and deceptive trade practices, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall No. 49--Amendment to H.R. 339 offered by Mr. Watt to limit the provisions of the bill only to cases brought in Federal court, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall No. 50--Amendment to H.R. 339 offered by Mr. Andrews to permit civil liability suits to be brought in cases related to a food that contains a genetically engineered material unless the labeling for such food bears a statement providing that the food contains such material and the labeling indicates which of the ingredients of the food are or contain such material, I would have voted ``no.''

Rollcall No. 51--Amendment to H.R. 339 offered by Mr. Ackerman to expand the definitions in the act to exclude any establishment that manufactures or sells meat from downed animals for human consumption from the protections of the bill, I would have voted ``no.''

Rollcall No. 52--Amendment to H.R. 339 offered by Ms. Jackson-Lee (TX) to provide that the bill would not apply to civil actions that allege a product claiming to assist in weight loss caused heart disease, heart damage, primary pulmonary hypertension, neuropsychological damage, or any other complication which may be generally associated with a person's weight gain or obesity, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall No. 53--Amendment to H.R. 339 offered by Mr. Watt to strike section 3(b) of the bill which provides that a qualified civil liability action that is pending on the date of the enactment of the bill shall be dismissed immediately by the court in which the action was brought or is currently pending, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall No. 54--Final passage of H.R. 339, to prevent legislative and regulatory functions from being usurped by civil liability actions brought or continued against food manufacturers, marketers, distributors, advertisers, sellers, and trade associations for claims of injury relating to a person's weight gain, obesity, or any health condition associated with weight gain or obesity, I would have voted ``no.''

Rollcall No. 55--Final passage of H.R. 3717, to increase the penalties for violations by television and radio broadcasters of the prohibitions against transmissions of obscene, indecent, and profane material, and for other purposes, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall No. 56--Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Con. Res. 15, Commending India on its celebration of Republic Day, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall No. 57--Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 540, as amended, expressing the condolences and deepest sympathies of the House of Representatives for the untimely death of Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia and the gentlewoman from Michigan for this opportunity to sort of crow a little here. I rise today to congratulate an extraordinary team on a successful season through H.R. 475.

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, November 23, 2003, the San Jose Earthquakes became the second team in Major League Soccer history to win the Major League Soccer Cup a second time. The Earthquakes' 4-to-2 victory over the Chicago Fire showcased the team's explosive talent and demonstrated why soccer is one of the fastest growing sports in America today.

The Earthquakes' rise to the MLS championship game provided soccer fans with endless drama and excitement, including a five-goal comeback against the Los Angeles Galaxy, and a 3-to-2 victory over the Kansas City Wizards.

In the championship game the Quakes showed a capacity crowd in Carson, California, four goals, one saved penalty kick, and 90 minutes of world class soccer. Throughout the game and throughout the season, this team played exciting soccer to the delight of San Jose's growing legion of fans.

Soccer is perhaps the world's most beloved sport. From Latin America to East Asia to Europe and Africa, indeed all the world's cultures play this great game. It therefore comes as no surprise that a community of San Jose's multicultural and multinational makeup should produce a soccer team of such prodigious ability.

In Latin America, soccer is called ``la pasion de multitudes,'' and the San Jose Earthquakes have shown us why this is truly the ``passion of people.''

While the Earthquakes' recent performances have been impressive, their greatest success may be the team's contribution to the sport of soccer here in America. In particular, the sportsmanship and gamesmanship of the Earthquakes have helped make Major League Soccer a hit. Although it is barely 8 years old, Major League Soccer has already captured the hearts and imaginations of fans around the country and around the world. The MLS also has served as a training ground for some of the world's best players. Many of those players were instrumental in bringing the United States to the quarter finals of the 2002 World Cup.

Now approaching its ninth successful year, and bolstered by the inspiring play of teams like the San Jose Earthquakes, Major League Soccer is stronger than ever. The fact that 20 million fans have attended MLS matches during the league's first eight seasons is a testament to the enormous popularity of the beautiful game here in the United States.

In addition to their on-the-field performance, I would like to thank the Earthquakes for their off-the-field dedication to the San Jose community. At a time when there seem to be too few positive role models in professional athletics, the Quakes have proven themselves not only as great athletes, but good people. Players from this team have repeatedly lent their celebrity and talent to numerous local organizations.

In 2003 alone, the Quakes have made appearances at the Muscular Dystrophy Association's summer camp, conducted free soccer clinics for local youth, raised money for numerous local charities, and supplied free tickets to disadvantaged youth through the Kick for Kids Program. It is deeply rewarding to witness this team's commitment to its community, and in particular, to San Jose's youth.

As a member of the San Jose community and a soccer fan, I look forward to watching the Quakes provide us with even greater inspiration in the years to come. The San Jose Earthquakes are the pride not only of the Bay Area in California, but also of America.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 2003 Major League Soccer champions, and I congratulate the San Jose Earthquakes on a fantastic season. And to the soccer moms and dads of this country, there is a place for youngsters to go after they play their local teams.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 475) congratulating the San Jose Earthquakes for winning the 2003 Major League Soccer Cup.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 475.

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

Mr. Speaker, last November, in the championship match of the 2003 Major League Soccer season, the San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Chicago Fire 4 to 2. The win clinched the Earthquakes' second MLS title in three seasons. House Resolution 475 deservedly congratulates the San Jose Earthquakes for winning the Major League Soccer Cup. With this championship, San Jose became only the second team in MLS history to win two Cups.

Mr. Speaker, throughout the long soccer season, the steady leadership of Coach Frank Yallop guided the Earthquakes to 14 wins. And after winning the MLS Western Conference crown during the regular season, the Earthquakes rallied from behind in both the Conference Semifinals and the Conference Championship matches to reach the Championship. In the final match, the Earthquakes outlasted the Chicago Fire in the highest scoring MLS Cup final ever, winning 4 to 2.

Mr. Speaker, Coach Yallop earned his second MLS Cup with the victory, and he became the second coach in league history to lead two championship teams. Also noteworthy, the Earthquakes' star forward Landon Donovan became the first player to score two goals in an MLS Cup final match. He earned the MLS Cup's Most Valuable Player award for his performance.

Mr. Speaker, the 2003 season was certainly one to remember for the San Jose Earthquakes' players, for their coaches, for their support staff, and

their fans. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda) for working to congratulate the champs of Major League Soccer, the San Jose Earthquakes, and I strongly support House Resolution 475.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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

On November 23, 2003, the San Jose Earthquakes thrilled a sellout crowd of soccer fans with a 4 to 2 Major League Soccer victory over the Chicago Fire. The Earthquakes earned their second Major League Soccer Cup in 3 years and became only the second major league team to win multiple titles. My hometown team, D.C. United, has won the Cup three times in its 8-year history.

Major League Soccer could not have asked for a better and more exciting game for its network-televised event. The San Jose Earthquakes and the Chicago Fire scored six goals combined, breaking the Major League Soccer Cup championship match scoring record.

San Jose midfielder Ronnie Ekelund scored in the fifth minute of play, tying Eduardo Hurtado for the fastest goal scored in a Major League Soccer Cup championship. Jeff Agoos won his second Major League Soccer Cup as captain of the San Jose Earthquakes and his fifth Major League Soccer Cup overall. San Jose forward Landon Donovan, who has been named United States National Team Player of the Year twice, scored two goals and two shots in the championship match, earning the Honda Major League Soccer Cup Most Valuable Player Award.

Major league soccer was created in 1996 as a professional American soccer league to build on the base of popularity generated during the World Cup Finals held in the United States in 1994. Major League Soccer has aptly and skillfully filled the void that resulted when the North American League played its last game in 1984, and it has done so with teams like the San Jose Earthquakes that play with zeal and love for the game.

The sellout crowd at The Home Depot Center for the 2003 Major League Soccer Cup is a testament to the growing popularity of soccer and all those who play the game.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda), who is the author of this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the San Jose, CA Earthquakes for defeating the Chicago, IL Fire 4-2 on November 23, 2003 to win the 2003 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup.

It was eight years ago that San Jose became the proud home of the MLS Earthquakes. In those short years, we have watched with excitement as the Earthquakes have become repeat champions and helped increase the popularity of soccer in our community and throughout the world.

The Earthquakes have many truly talented players. California native Landon Donovan for example is a two-time U.S. National Team Player of the Year and scored two goals in the championship game to earn him the MSL Cup Most Valuable Player Award. Even with individuals like Landon playing for the Earthquakes, their success has come, not as individuals but rather as a team.

It was as a team that the Earthquakes overcame injuries, critics and goal deficits throughout their 14-7-9 regular season and it was as a team that they became Major League Soccer's very best. Since coming to San Jose, the Earthquake's have represented our city with dignity.

Mr. Speaker, the San Jose Earthquakes are the standard to which all MLS teams should be compared. Their commitment to our community, the sport of soccer and to achieving excellence runs much further than any soccer field. Their success and good works are a staple in our city. For these reasons and many others, it is most appropriate that we congratulate the 2003 MLS Cup winning San Jose Earthquakes today.