Congratulating the California State University, Fullerton Titans baseball team for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I College World Series.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 704, which is legislation that I introduced. And this legislation congratulates my alma mater, the Cal State Fullerton Titans baseball team, on winning the 2004 College World Series. I am pleased that my colleagues from Orange County have joined me in acknowledging this triumphant season for the Titans.

For those of us who grew up in Orange County, this is a momentous occasion. This is the fourth time in the school's history that the Titans have won the College World Series championship.

The Titans' victory was far from predicted. They were the underdog from the start. They started this season with a 15-16 won-loss record at midseason. Despite their early struggles, the Titans continued to display character and resiliency by working hard. This scrappy Cal State-Fullerton baseball team went on to beat the odds and did so in the most humble fashion possible, through good old-fashioned teamwork.

Cal State-Fullerton went on to win the Big West Conference over perennial conference powerhouse Long Beach State. This contentious conference is hard fought year after year, with the Titans always displaying consistency and determination, although favorable results are not always the outcome. However, this season, as in some seasons past, the Titans emerged victorious alongside their passionate coach George Horton, who sees every opportunity as one in which positive results may rise.

The Titans continued their inspiring display of teamwork and will to win throughout the College World Series. They defeated the University of Miami Hurricanes and then the University of South Carolina Gamecocks in the semifinals. This run of the Titans culminated with their sweep of the best-of-three championship series by defeating the top-ranked University of Texas Longhorns 6-4 and 3-2 in come-from-behind victories.

The Cal State-Fullerton Titans finished with an overall record of 47 wins and 22 losses and a postseason record of 11 wins and 2 losses. This victory for Cal State-Fullerton head coach George Horton was bittersweet as he defeated his longtime mentor and friend Augie Garrido who led the Titans in the past for 21 seasons during which he won three national championships before leaving to coach the University of Texas Longhorns back in 1996.

The atmosphere at both the stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, and back home in Orange County was electrifying. Fans across Orange County displayed their Titan pride in waves by wearing Cal State-Fullerton colors identified by the distinguishable orange and blue.

The Titans were welcomed home by an enthusiastic crowd of supporters upon their arrival in Orange County where a parade took place in honor of these exceptional college athletes.

Throughout the season, the Titans were led by a gutsy group of players such as All-Americans Kurt Suzuki, who hit a single with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning driving home the game-winning run in the final game of the series, and Jason Windsor, who pitched his second complete game of the College World Series, earning him Most Outstanding Player honors as they captured the NCAA Division I baseball championship.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Cal State-Fullerton Titans' players, coaches, staff and fans who were instrumental in bringing the College World Series championship back to Fullerton for a fourth time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Wisconsin in consideration of this resolution, and so I rise in support of H. Res. 704, recognizing the NCAA men's baseball championship earned by the California State-Fullerton Titans. The Titans started 15-16, highly unusual, but they capped a memorable run to the 2004 national championship with a 3-2 win over Texas. Cal State-Fullerton's All- American catcher, Kurt Suzuki, hit an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning to put the Titans ahead to stay.

Despite the loss, Texas coach Augie Garrido, the Texas players and their fans should be proud of a well-played

season. By winning this championship, California State-Fullerton's coach George Horton and the rest of the Titans have a lifelong memory to treasure. Cal State's fans and the entire university community should be proud, as they are, of their team's accomplishments.

I want to urge Members to support this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a strong supporter and co-sponsor of H. Res. 704--a bill to congratulate the California State University, Fullerton Titans baseball team for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, College World Series.

Many of the Titans' student body live in my district, and they must be equally proud of the Orange and Blue.

The Titans' defeat of the Texas Longhorns, ranked No. 1 in the country, was just the latest victory in the school's history of overcoming the odds. The Titans have never had the resources of the great Big West teams, but they've made up for it in their spirit, drive and determination.

Special kudos go out to Coach George Horton for his third career award as Big West Coach of the Year, and to Kurt Suzuki and Jason Windsor for being named ``All Americans.''

Coach Horton and his team have set a high bar for future Titans baseball teams, but I'm sure that they will be up to the challenge, in the best tradition of Cal State Fullerton athletics.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 704) congratulating the California State University, Fullerton Titans baseball team for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I College World Series.

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. 704.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the author of the resolution.

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