Congratulating the Kenyon College Lords swimming and diving team for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Men's Swimming and Diving National Championship.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I am also very proud to have introduced this second resolution congratulating the Kenyon College Lords swimming and diving team for capturing the 2004 NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving National Championship. You can see this is a great day for Kenyon College with both the female swimmers and the male swimmers, and the same coach, I should note, Jim Steen, who has just done a wonderful job.

This year, the Lords follow in the footsteps of those great swimmers who came before them. Like their predecessors, the Lords once again dominated the swimming and competition, scoring and incredible 678.5 points, while capturing their 25th consecutive national championship.

Some have argued that Kenyon Lords swimming is the greatest dynasty in sports. At the least, the Lords have accomplished something unparalleled in the history of collegiate athletics, a record 25 consecutive men's national championship teen titles, the most by any team in the history of NCAA athletics.

So for the past 25 years now, Kenyon has brought the Division III National title home to Gambier, Ohio. In fact, the last time the Lords lost a national championship, Jimmy Carter was President. Since 1980, Kenyon swimmers have had nearly 140 different people score points, while swimming more than 200 individual and 85 relay titles at the NCAA Division III Nationals. Perhaps even more impressive, are the 1,445 All-America honors as well as the 83 academic All-America awards Lords swimmers have accrued. This is an amazing amount of points.

These accomplishments testify to the hard work and the commitment to excellence the Kenyon Lords embody. But this strong work ethic extends far beyond the swimming pool. Kenyon College's tradition of excellence started long before their national championship streak. Since 1824, when the school was founded by Philander Chase, students have enjoyed its reputation as an environment friendly to those willing to work hard and further their intellect. That is why I think it is important to note that many of these athletes did not attend Kenyon for the sole sake of swimming, rather their choice was twofold: Kenyon boasts one of the best swimming programs in the country, but it is also one of the greatest schools of higher education in the United States. The result is by being a member of the Kenyon community, students enjoy the opportunity to become educated not only in the world of academia, but life as well.

The hard work and dedication displayed by the Kenyon Lords reminds us that, whether or not you want their streak to continue, and for Kenyon's sake let us hope that we do, this year the Lords team made it possible for all of us to celebrate the fact that for a quarter of a century now a small liberal arts school in Ohio has established itself as the benchmark for aspiring athletes in athletic programs all over this country.

I cannot be more pleased to celebrate the Lords accomplishments here today. I am very proud of the Lords, I am very proud of Kenyon College, and I think very fortunate to be able to represent Kenyon College in the Eighteenth District in Ohio.

I want to thank again the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) for her support.

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

I rise in support of H. Res. 635, a resolution congratulating the Kenyon College Men's swimming and diving team for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Men's swimming and diving National Championship. This spring, the Kenyon Lords won a record 25th consecutive NCAA division title, the most titles held by any team in any sport in NCAA competition. Imagine that. My colleagues must be so proud over there.

Since 1980, the Kenyon Lords have won 200 individual and 85 relay titles at

NCAA events. I want to congratulate Head Coach Jim Steen, who has been the driving force behind the Lords impressive drive for 25 quests. Not only has Coach Steen won more national NCAA titles than any other coach, but he has also prioritized academics and a strong work ethic for his Lords and Ladies teams.

The Lords have received 1,445 All-America honors, as well as 83 academic All-America awards. They have also won 85 relay team national championships, 54 conference titles, and 13 out of 18 record holders in Division III at NCAA events.

I also want to congratulate Emory and Carnegie Mellon Universities, who finished second and third in the overall team standings.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 635) congratulating the Kenyon College Lords swimming and diving team for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Men's Swimming and Diving National Championship.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 635.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and, in closing, I want to thank again the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney), my colleague from Ohio, for bringing this resolution forward, and the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner).

I too extend my congratulations to each of the hard-working competitors of the swimming and diving team, to Coach Steen again, and to Kenyon College. I am happy to join with my colleagues in honoring the accomplishments of this team and wish them continued success.

I strongly support House Resolution 635, and ask my colleagues to support it as well.

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