A resolution honoring the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky University from Bowling Green, Kentucky, for winning the 2002 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-AA Football Championship.

Mr. President, I am called to join with Senators Akaka, Bingaman, Cantwell, Clinton, Durbin, Kennedy, Levin, Lieberman, Mikulski, Murray, Nelson, E. Benjamin, and Warner in introducing a resolution that would express the sense of the Congress that parity in the pay increases granted to Federal civilian and military employees should be maintained. A comparison of military and civilian pay increases by the Congressional Research Service finds that in 14 of the last 17 years military and civilian pay increases have been identical. Disparate treatment of civilian and military pay goes against the longstanding policy of parity for all those who have chosen to serve our Nation, whether that service be in the civilian workforce or in the armed services.

During this unpredented time in our Nation's history, both members of the armed services and civilian Federal employees are fighting the war on terrorism and making remarkable contributions to the safety of this country and our citizens. Both the armed forces and civilian employees are on the front lines in the fight against terrorism, and civilian employees are playing a significant role in that fight.

For example, civilian employees of the new Department of Homeland Security are working to ensure the safety of our Nation. Air marshals and members of the Transportation Security Agency are making America's skies safer. Civilian employees of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating the events of September 11th and working to prevent further terrorist attacks. And Federal employees at the State Department are working with other countries in an international coalition against terrorism.

In addition, there are numerous Federal employees who participated in disaster response teams on September 11th and during the anthrax attacks. And every day, thousands of civilian Federal employees continue to go to work and carry out their responsibilities in this unpredictable time.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution expresses the sense of the Congress that parity between the adjustments in Federal civilian pay and military pay should be maintained. For Fiscal Year 2003, President Bush gave a 4.1 percent pay raise to members of the armed services, but only a 3.1 percent pay raise to our dedicated public servants. This discrepancy violates the traditional principle of pay parity, and does not recognize the crucial work of the civilian Federal workforce. Furthermore, this discrepancy ignores the express wish of Congress that the principle of pay parity be followed. Past budget resolutions and Treasury-Postal appropriations bills approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives have included language expressing the ``sense of Congress that rates of compensation for civilian employees of the United States should be adjusted at the same time, and in the same proportion, as are rates of compensation for member of the uniformed services.''

In this difficult time, the dedication and commitment of both the armed services and our civilian employees demonstrate the greatness of our Nation. The contribution of both should be recognized.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 16 submitted earlier by Senator Bunning and myself.

Mr. President, I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Bunning, for introducing this resolution congratulating the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers on capturing the National Collegiate Athletics Association's NCAA Division I-AA championship, and I would urge the Senate to adopt it.

Mr. President, the story of Western Kentucky University's 2002 football season is one of perseverance and determination in the face of long odds. After a disappointing start, in which Western Kentucky dropped three of its first five games, Coach Jack Harbaugh rallied the Hilltoppers to victories in their last six regular season games. This late-season charge helped Western Kentucky secure one of the final spots in the Division I-AA playoffs. Once in the NCAA tournament, Western was faced with a daunting path to the championship which required them to defeat each of the top three ranked teams on consecutive weekends. However, Western Kentucky rose to the challenge and even exacted a measure of revenge by defeating Western Illinois and McNeese State, two of the teams that had previously defeated the Hilltoppers during the regular season. With its 34 to 14 victory over McNeese State on December 20, 2002, Western Kentucky University captured the first NCAA football championship in the program's proud eighty-nine year history.

I want to congratulate the Hilltopper football team, head Coach Jack Harbaugh, Athletic Director Dr. Wood Selig, and President Gary Ransdell on capturing the 2002 Division I-AA national championship and thank them for the outstanding manner in which they represented Western Kentucky University and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements related thereto be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor and congratulate the players and coaches of the Western Kentucky University Hilltopper football team on winning the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA National Championship.

When people take a look back at Western's championship season, they will certainly wonder how in the world a team which lost three of its first five games wound up winning the national title? The answer lies in the hearts and minds of every single member of Western Kentucky's team, from the coaches to freshmen walk-ons. Not only did this team refuse to give up, they made it their mission to work harder on and off the field to achieve their dreams and goals. Head Coach Jack Harbaugh deserves special recognition for his ability to right Western's ship before it veered too far off course.

Having to go on a six game win streak simply to reach the post- season, Western entered the Division I-AA playoffs as a longshot. To even reach the championship game, Western had to beat the number two and three rated teams in the nation. Once in the title game, Western was simply too strong to be stopped. They beat the number one rated McNeese State Cowboys by a score of 34-14, exacting revenge on the team which had beat them early in the season. Quarterback Jason Michael threw for a career-high 185 yards and running back Jon Frazier added 159 yards on the ground in the national title match. This was Western Kentucky University's first NCAA football championship.

Mr. President, I ask that my fellow colleagues join me in congratulating the Hilltopper football players, Head Coach Jack Harbaugh, Athletic Director Dr. Wood Selig and Dr. Gary Ransdell on winning the 2002 Division I-AA National Championship. This win reflects very highly on Western Kentucky University and the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky. Who said Kentucky wasn't a football State?