Recognizing the accomplishments of the University of Southern California's football, women's volleyball, and men's water polo teams.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of February 3, 2004, and as the designee of the majority leader, I call up the resolution (H. Res. 511) recognizing the accomplishments of the University of Southern California's football, women's volleyball, and men's water polo teams, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 511.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 511, which would recognize the accomplishments of the University of Southern California's football, women's volleyball, and men's water polo teams. I want to thank my colleague and friend, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson), for introducing this important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, Los Angeles was little more than a frontier town in 1880 when the University of Southern California first opened its doors to 53 students and 10 teachers. Then, Los Angeles still lacked paved streets, electric lights, telephones, and a reliable fire alarm system. Today, USC is located at the heart of one of the biggest metropolises in the world and is home to nearly 30,000 students and 3,800 faculty.

The central mission of the University of Southern California is the development of human beings and society as a whole, through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. USC has worked to accomplish this mission through teaching, research, artistic creation, professional practice, and public service. As a result, USC has become world-renowned in the fields of communication and multimedia technologies, has received national acclaim for its innovative community, and has solidified its status as one of the Nation's leading research institutions. It is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles, and USC physicians serve more than 1 million patients each year.

Today, the House of Representatives is recognizing another exceptional facet of the University of Southern California, its world- class sports program.

House Resolution 511 is a resolution that recognizes the accomplishments of the University of Southern California's football, women's volleyball, and men's water polo teams.

This past year, the USC Trojans football team only lost one game, which was its best record since 1978; won its second consecutive Pac-10 title; won the Rose Bowl; and won the Associated Press national football championship, the University's ninth national football championship.

The USC women's volleyball team finished the season without a single loss, with a record of 35 victories and no defeats; won its last 47 matches, which is an NCAA record; won its sixth national championship; and is considered to be one of the greatest teams to have played the sport.

The USC men's water polo team finished the season with a record of 24 victories with only three losses and won its second NCAA national championship.

In addition, football coach Pete Carroll, women's volleyball coach Mick Haley, and water polo coach Jovan Vavick each were honored as National Coach of the Year in their respective sports.

That is why, today, the House is considering House Resolution 511, so we can congratulate the significant achievements of the University of Southern California's football, women's volleyball, and men's water polo teams. Their hard work and dedication to their respective sports is admirable and deserves to be recognized by the House of Representatives.

I congratulate the University of Southern California for their incredible victories and ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing their championship teams.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise in support of House Resolution 511, which recognizes the accomplishments of the University of Southern California's 2002-2003 football, women's volleyball, and men's water polo teams.

The University of Southern California is a cornerstone of California's 33rd Congressional District. This institution is a magnet for diverse

people and ideas, attracting students from all 50 States and more than 100 foreign countries. In fact, USC is ranked as one of the most diverse private research universities in the Nation. As an educator, I am inspired by USC's commitment to academic excellence. The university's dedication to the highest standards is also reflected in its sports programs, which consistently produce some of the best student-athletes in the nation.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the first three teams in USC's history to win championships in the same fall season. Incredibly, all three squads also feature coaches who are National Coach of the Year honorees.

The USC Trojan football team has shown unique skill, charisma, dedication and love for the sport. The Trojans accumulated a 12-1 record while competing against some of the best programs in the country. The football team secured its second consecutive Pac-10 title, won the Rose Bowl, its 21st Rose Bowl win, and was awarded the national championship by the Associated Press, its ninth national title, and first in 25 years. Five USC football players were selected as first team All-Americans and nine team members were selected to the All-Pac- 10 first team. Football coach Pete Carroll also received two more national championship trophies from the Football Writers Association of America (The Grantland Rice Trophy) and The Sporting News.

The Women of Troy volleyball team capped an undefeated (35-0) season to capture its second consecutive NCAA crown, the first time in the history of USC women's volleyball, and its sixth national championship. The team also became the first repeat champion to go undefeated. Many consider this year's women's volleyball team to be one of the greatest teams to have played the game.

The USC men's water polo team, with a 24-3 record, won its second- ever NCAA title. Three of the water polo team members were selected as first team All-Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate USC President Steven Sample, Athletic Director Mike Garrett, Coach Pete Carroll, USC football, Coach Mick Haley, USC women's volleyball, and Coach Jovan Vavick, USC men's water polo, for a season to remember.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order at any time on Wednesday February 4, 2004, for the majority leader or his designee to call up the following resolutions: H. Res. 493, H. Res. 496, H. Res. 497, H. Res. 498, H. Res. 511, H. Res. 512, and H. Con. Res. 355; and each resolution be considered as read and the previous question be considered as ordered on each resolution to final adoption without intervening motion except (1) 1 hour of debate and (2) one motion to recommit.