Congratulating the Kennesaw State University Owls for winning the 2004 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 594) congratulating the Kennesaw State University Owls for winning the 2004 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship, and for other purposes.

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

Mr. Speaker, first of all I want to thank the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), who about two debates ago acknowledged the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets who unfortunately lost in the NCAA finals to the great University of Connecticut basketball team. Today, we are on the floor acknowledging the champions, but, really, all of those in higher education who compete in the NCAA.

I am pleased to author and ask this House to consider its bipartisan support for H. Res. 594, which commends the Kennesaw State University Owls men's basketball team for winning the NCAA Division II national championship.

Kennesaw State won the last 26 games of its season, finished with a record of 34 and 5, and defeated the University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles in Bakersfield, California, by a margin of 84 to 59 in the national championship game.

This great university and its great athletic program won the Peachbelt Conference Championship for the 2003-2004 season. Head Coach Tony Ingle, who was named the Naismith Co-Coach of the Year in Georgia, along with Paul Hewitt of Georgia Tech, led Kennesaw State University to a truly outstanding year.

All-American Terrance Hill, who was selected All-American, one of the top 15 NCAA basketball players in the United States of America, was also chosen the most valuable player in the final game against Southern Indiana.

The Kennesaw State University Owls have a great athletic program, and this victory is a great tribute to their effort; but I think it is important when we talk about athletics that we talk about it in the context of student athletics as well, and this resolution affords me an opportunity to talk a little bit about this great university, which is celebrating its 40th year.

Forty years ago, two representatives from the State of Georgia, Representative Joe Mack Wilson and Representative Al Burruss, both of whom are not with us now but did a great job for so many years in the legislature, spawned the idea that with Atlanta's growth it was important to have an urban commuter college to support the universities that were in the area; and thus Kennesaw State College, at that time, became one of the 34 units of the university system of Georgia.

Their first president, Dr. Horace Sturgis, started that college on a shoestring on property donated by the Fry family, leading citizens of the community of Kennesaw.

From its humble beginning, Kennesaw State has grown to university status, and now has almost 19,000 full-time residential and commuter students studying medicine, studying nursing, studying business, and studying education. The academic achievements of its graduates is renowned in Georgia, and its graduate executive MBA program has been recognized in national publications as one of the finest in the country.

Dr. Horace Sturgis, its first president, was succeeded by Dr. Betty Siegel, its second president, who continues as president of this university now for more than 20 years. It is under her leadership that participation in athletics and NCAA status have helped to raise the visibility of that university, while at the same time it has remained committed to outstanding academic achievement and providing outstanding academic studies for those residents of the greater metropolitan area, and now, truly, the entire Southeast.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege and pleasure for me to present H. Res. 594, commending Kennesaw State University's NCAA men's basketball champions, and also to commend all the universities and colleges in the NCAA who produce student athletes who go on into life to act as leaders in their communities and continue the great tradition of the NCAA.

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

Mr. Speaker, having no further speakers, I encourage all Members to vote in favor of H. Res. 594, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to offer my congratulations to the Kennesaw State University Men's Basketball team on winning the 2004 NCAA Division II National Championship. This is a tremendous accomplishment and the players and coaching staff of the Kennesaw State University Men's Basketball team are to be commended.

I would like to congratulate Head Coach Tony Ingle. Under his leadership, the Owls of Kennesaw State have achieved new levels of success. Coach Ingle has been named the Division II Bulletin/Moulten Coach of the Year, the National Association of Basketball Coaches Coach of the Year, and the Naismith

Awards Georgia Co-Coach of the Year. These accolades are a testament to his knowledge and experience in the sport of basketball as well as his strength as a leader. Coach Ingle has been able to take a promising young program under his wing and guide it to new heights.

I would also like to recognize the individual Owl players for their hard work and tremendous dedication. It takes incredible endurance and grueling physical and mental trials to attain a national championship. The players of Kennesaw State have not only endured, but excelled and thereby achieved one of the highest honors in college athletics. Their dedication serves as an example of devotion, and their commitment and perseverance is to be commended here today.

As we recognize this achievement, we must not forget that while working toward these goals, these athletes are college students, equally committed to completing their studies and gaining an invaluable education at one of our great institutions of higher learning. I would also like to offer my congratulations to Kennesaw State University. A strong support network is required for athletes to achieve the level of success that these students have attained. Kennesaw State University has provided this network, which includes faculty, members of the administration and the student body, in support of the men's basketball team as they worked toward this national title.

Finally, I would like to ensure that the parents of these student athletes receive their very just accolades. The importance of a parent's role in the success of a child cannot be underestimated. Whether waking up early to shuttle children to and from practice or driving great distances to cheer their kids on from the stands, parents sacrifice much so that their kids can achieve more. Through ups, downs, success and defeat, a parent's support is often the bedrock on which a student athlete stands.

Again, I would like to congratulate the Kennesaw State University Men's Basketball Team on winning the 2004 Division II National Championship and wish them well in all of their future endeavors.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution and want to thank the gentleman from Georgia, congratulating Kennesaw State University for winning the NCAA Division II men's basketball national championship.

Two months ago, the Owls captured this title, culminating in a very impressive season. Kennesaw State won their last 26 games. Unbelievable. College fans and student athletes and the citizens of the State of Georgia were treated to a very exciting basketball season.

I just want to extend my congratulations from the great State of Ohio. It is obvious that the gentleman from Georgia has great passion about the influence that student athletes can have on the future of our society and on the future of the State of Georgia, and I want to rise in support.

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