Congratulating the New England Patriots for winning Super Bowl XXXIX.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much for the time.

I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) for asking for this time for a resolution to honor our great New England Patriots who now go down into history as one of the greatest football teams of all time, and in honor of that, I have a very brief poem that I thought I would read to honor this great family and great team.

To the New England Patriots:

The New England Patriots we proudly honor today, they've won three Super Bowls in 4 years with their remarkable play.

From top to bottom, the Patriots have clearly shown why in football's history books they will be known.

For their great example both on and off the field the principles of hard work and team play they never yield.

It starts with Bob Kraft, Myra and kin, whose motto is simple, with class we shall win.

Belichick and Pioli then constructed their teams about which others could only have dreams.

Because the coaching is so great on both defense and offense the outcomes of Pats games are almost never in suspense.

But on the field, it's the players who win each big game and every one of them belongs in a winner's Hall of Fame.

Quarterback Tom Brady is a football legend in the making. He's never lost a playoff game, leaving opponents with heads shaking.

Corey Dillon in the backfield, Deion Branch the Super Bowl MVP; and how about Troy Brown playing not just one way but three?

Rodney Harrison at safety, Teddy Brewski linebacker inside and veterans McGinest and Vinatieri playing with great pride.

So after a season with 14 victories, the playoffs were ready to begin. Peyton's Colts came calling first, but Romeo's ``D'' made their heads spin.

The next stop was Pittsburgh for an appointment with Big Ben, but the rookie was no match for the Pats. They won by two scores and then.

They faced off against the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX and victory, sweet victory, was theirs for a third time.

Discipline and focus, a new standard for teamwork has been set with Kraft and Belichick at the helm, more trophies they are sure to get.

Now one thing is for certain, fans and experts all agree, the New England Patriots are football's newest world-class dynasty.

We honor Bob Kraft and his wife Myra, his son Jonathan, his entire family, the coaches, the players and the greatest fans in the world, the New England fans, for the incredible season that just culminated with great anticipation for the one that will begin again this fall.

I thank again the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) for this resolution, and I thank the gentleman from Illinois for recognizing me.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Mr. Frank's resolution and join with the entire New England delegation in honoring the remarkable achievements of the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. In the interest of good sportsmanship, I also want to commend the Philadelphia Eagles and their owner Jeffrey Lurie for a terrific season.

Mr. Speaker, the New England Patriots have redefined teamwork. Even as individual accomplishments are recognized and rewarded at every turn in professional sports, the New England Patriots have demonstrated that winning championships is all about teamwork. Without question the Patriots are a team filled with extremely talented football players, but each puts the team ahead of his own statistics and accolades.

This philosophy, and this incredible record of winning with class, is a tribute to Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, and the organization he has built. His son Jonathan has been there every step of the way as this team has traversed the path to greatness.

The team is fortunate to have Bill Belichick, who brings an outstanding work ethic and knack for teaching football to this enterprise. And Scott Pioli continues to be a player personnel phenom. As every fan in New England knows, Bill is a coaching genius, and a man who now finds himself in the elite company of the legendary Vince Lombardi. What's more, he assembled an outstanding staff of assistants, notably Defensive Coordinator Romeo Crennel and Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis. The coaches' game day schemes kept opponents guessing all through this past season as the Patriots won 14 games, through the playoffs in blowout victories over Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, and right on into the Super Bowl match-up and win against the Philadelphia Eagles.

So the Patriots have a great owner and great coaches--and they have certainly demonstrated that they also have great players--guys who put the team first--and guys who can win championships. Led by the amazing Tom Brady who has never lost a playoff game--he can beat you with his heart or his head. The team has an outstanding offensive line and receiver corps--Deion Branch tied a Super Bowl record for receptions and was named the game's Most Valuable Player. In the backfield, the combination of Corey Dillon and Kevin Faulk wore down defenses and racked up yards. On defense, everyone contributed--Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Ted Johnson, Richard Seymour, Roosevelt Colvin--the secondary led by Rodney Harrison, and the omnipotent Willie McGinest, the wily veteran who hasn't lost a step. And then you have the extraordinary Troy Brown. He exemplifies how Patriot players put the team first. Troy is a receiver and returns punts ordinarily, but when injuries began piling up in the Patriots secondary--Troy learned to play in the defensive backfield.

Mr. Speaker, the New England Patriots have left an indelible mark in the football history books, clearly establishing themselves as the first sports dynasty of the 21st Century. They represent the very best of New England and have earned the adoration of their fans--Patriot Nation. I congratulate Bob, Myra and Jonathan Kraft, Coach Belichick and all of the coaching staff and each and every player for an exciting season, and a fantastic post-season, and for winning their third world championship in four years.

I thank Mr. Frank for introducing this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 86) congratulating the

New England Patriots for winning Super Bowl XXXIX.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 86, the resolution under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am truly honored to be a new Member of the House. I look forward with great anticipation to this body's numerous deliberations on consequential issues in the months and years ahead. Engaging in debate for this resolution, however, is unfortunately not one that I have looked forward to.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 86 congratulates the New England Patriots on winning Super Bowl XXXIX over the Philadelphia Eagles 24 to 21 on February 6, Super Bowl Sunday. As a big Eagles' fan myself, I know the rules of the House preclude me from wearing this hat, but I thought I would just show it to our audience. I am a dear and devoted Eagles' fan, but I had a very tough day, as did millions of other Eagles' fans across the country.

With this Super Bowl title, their third in the last four seasons, the Patriots have indeed earned their place atop the football world, and they deserve this honor from the House.

On behalf of all Members, I salute the Patriots for solidifying their place as one of the most successful dynasties in NFL history.

In this era of great parity in the NFL, the Patriots' recent success may not soon be replicated. Their three Super Bowls put New England in a class with other great franchises in pro-football history, like the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980s, and the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s.

This was the Patriots' ninth straight win in the playoffs over the past 4 years, which equals the great run of Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers during the 1960s as the best pro-season stretch of all time. Led by their infallible coach Bill Belichick, quarterback Tom Brady, safety Rodney Harrison and Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch, the Patriots continued to do whatever it takes to win big games, and the Brady branch connection proved too much for the Eagles. They have won each of their three Super Bowls by just three points, but Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to recognize our Philadelphia Eagles for their outstanding season as well.

The Eagles went 13-3 during the regular season and reached the Super Bowl for the first time since 1981 and the second time in team history. Quarterback Donovan McNabb has been their catalyst all season. He threw for a whopping 357 yards and three touchdowns on Super Bowl Sunday, and wide receiver Terrell Owens, who broke his leg and tore a knee ligament just 7 weeks before the Super Bowl, returned for the first time and remarkably caught nine passes for 122 yards.

Over 130 million Americans are estimated to have watched at least part of the Super Bowl, nearly half of all residents. Super Bowl Sunday has become an unofficial holiday in this country, and for the third time in 4 years, the New England Patriots, and the Brady branch connection in particular, proved to all of us that they are indeed the champions of football.

Mr. Speaker, while I am indeed heartbroken and crestfallen in the wake of the Eagles' loss, I want to sincerely congratulate my colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) both for the success of his Patriots and for moving forward this resolution on the team's behalf.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bradley), my distinguished colleague.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other requests for time at the moment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. On behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Pittsburgh Steelers and all of their fans, I urge all Members of the House to support the adoption of House Resolution 86.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in enthusiastic support of H. Res. 86, congratulating our New England Patriots on winning their third Super Bowl in 4 years.

The word ``dynasty'' has become synonymous with the New England Patriots. And deservedly so. Only one other team has accomplished what the Patriots have done--the Dallas Cowboys of the early 1990s. I believe that these Patriots have staked a real claim on the moniker of ``America's Team.''

But when the history of this team is written, there is one word that seems most fitting: class.

Class means many things, especially in the world of sports.

Class means a head coach, such as bill Belichick, who immediately after overtaking Vince Lombardi as the NFL coach with the best playoff winning percentage talks about ``starting at the bottom of the mountain'' next season. It also means a coach who deflects personal credit as adroitly as he outsmarts opposing coaches. Similarly, class seems suitable for a coach who should rather talk endlessly about his role models than about himself, even after he eclipses those role models in all measures of success.

Class also means a team that overcomes injuries to two key starters, Ty Law and Tyrone Poole, when unheralded players, such as Randall Gay and Asante Samuel, play like seasoned veterans in the most stressful situations imaginable, to the disbelief of all observers. It means a group of players whom many

outside New England don't recognize by name or face but only as part of a team. And class might also describe a team whose accomplishments are sometimes dismissed as ``luck'' even when, by definition, ``luck'' can't explain continuous triumph, game after game, season after season, at home and on the road, in close games and blowouts, in air- conditioned domes and Foxborough blizzards.

Class refers to players, such as Tom Brady and Deion Branch, who would rather credit their teammates than tout their own efforts. Class describes players such as Willie McGinest and Tedy Bruschi, who would rather win Super Bowls than All-Pro invitations, as well as players such as Corey Dillon and Rodney Harrison, who have silenced past critics with their on-field performance not their off-field remarks.

Class means owners who care as much about the team as does the most passionate fan. The Kraft family, longtime New Englanders and Patriots' season ticket holders, seem to fit that description to a tee. Like the rest of Patriots Nation in 1994, Robert and Myra Kraft were devastated to see the team on the verge of moving to St. Louis. So much so, in fact, that they spent $200 million to prevent that from happening.

Class also means owners who view their role in the community with dignity and responsibility. Although the Kraft family builds championships and unrivaled proficiency, their off-field victories may be even more impressive. Through the Patriot Charitable Foundation, the Krafts have made charitable affairs an integral part of their community presence, and as important a goal as any Super Bowl victory.

And perhaps most importantly, class means never describing oneself as a ``dynasty,'' because dynasties are never proclaimed, but only earned--something a team with class, like the New England Patriots, knows quite well.

I join my colleagues in saluting the unsurpassed accomplishments of the New England Patriots.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he might consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey), a son of New England and a very proud Patriots fan.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he might consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to close for our side.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 86, which pays tribute to the New England Patriots, their owner, Robert Kraft, their coach, Bill Belichick, and their dedicated fans for the team's historic achievement of winning Super Bowl XXXIX.

As an avid, patient, and optimistic Chicago Bears fan, I understand how having a great football team can lift the spirits of an entire community. The fans of New England have stood loyally with the Patriots in tough times since their inception in 1962. However, over the last 4 years their dedication has been rewarded with three Super Bowl victories.

In spite of their previous success, this season's Super Bowl championship did not come easily. Headed into the playoffs, the Patriots suffered two disappointing losses, and it was predicted by many that they would lose their first playoff game.

The Patriots had a different plan. They first shut down Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in New England by a score of 20 to 3. The Patriots then headed to Pittsburgh to play their rivals, the Steelers, a team that had beaten them decisively earlier in the year.

Despite being dubbed the ``team with no stars,'' the Patriots easily disposed of the Steelers by winning 41 to 27, and quieted their critics. Their final test would come in the Super Bowl. Technically favored to win the Super Bowl in Jacksonville, many people believed that Coach Belichick and his players would be outplayed by Donovan McNabb, Terrell Owens, and the rest of the Eagles' high-scoring attack.

Once the game was played, however, it was the Patriots who celebrated. After falling behind early in the game, the Patriots players displayed the hearts of champions by clawing their way back and ultimately winning the game by a score of 24 to 21.

By winning their third championship, the Patriots solidified their place as one of the National Football League's greatest teams.

Mr. Speaker, I take a moment to commend the efforts of the mastermind behind the operations, Coach Bill Belichick, who has solidified his standings as one of the great coaches in National Football League history. With this win, Bill Belichick improves his playoff record to 10 and 1, the best playoff record of any coach with three Super Bowl wins. His record even eclipses that of the legendary coach, Vince Lombardi.

Congratulations to the New England Patriots and their fans and, once again, for a terrific year. I am sure that it will not be their last, and I know that the Chicago Bears have been waiting and watching and hoping to emulate their success.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much for the time, and I would like to thank my distinguished colleague for such a gracious introduction to this resolution, especially from Pennsylvania, which not only saw the Patriots beat one Pennsylvania team but two Pennsylvania teams. So I thank him for that very gracious recognition.

The New England Patriots have a motto. It is always team first and team above everything else, and when we talk about the New England Patriots, we talk about the full roster of 53 people and how from 1 to 53 they play as a unit, and they subvert all of their individual goals to that of the team winning and the team winning playoff games.

It begins with the ownership of the team, the Kraft family, who have shown vision and determination in building a new stadium and bringing a top-quality product to all of us in New England.

It then goes through the coaching staff with Coach Belichick, who has shown tenacity, creativity, hard work and planning for every eventuality that has made the Patriots just a little cut above its competitors in record fashion, winning three Super Bowls in the last 3 years, a 21-game winning streak, winning 34 of the last 36 games.

As we talk about the Patriots' success, though, it is also important to pay tribute to worthy opponents, in particular, in the playoffs, the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia teams, all of whom played tremendously well, had great seasons and, in particular, Philadelphia who came so close in that game.

For those of us from New England, we saw a hero in Curt Schilling in the World Series that brought the Red Sox for the first time in 86 years to the World Series and knew from the Eagles' point of view how another hero, Terrell Owens, who is not only able to talk the talk as we all know, but in the Super Bowl he clearly walked the walk; and from all of us from New England who appreciate heroes, Terrell Owens certainly earned his stripes in that game.

But if there is one person on the Patriots that we would pay tribute to, it would be a person who has been an offensive player for all of his 12 years for the Patriots, that being Troy Brown. This year, with injuries in the depleted secondary, Troy Brown was asked to play defense, and he had to go to team meetings on both the offensive side of the ball and the defensive side of the ball, as well as continuing with his punt return duties.

Troy Brown epitomized what it means to be a Patriot. Yes, he clearly probably would have preferred to be a pass receiver, but when duty called, he did what it took to help the Patriots win their third Super Bowl in a row. Troy Brown epitomizes the spirit of the Patriots.

We hope for a successful year next year, and we know that there are 31 other teams, including two from Pennsylvania, who would like to knock off the Patriots next year, and we cannot wait for the next season of football.

I ask for my colleagues' support for H. Res. 86.