Congratulating the National Hockey League Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, on their victory in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to one of the proud sons of North Carolina and a sponsor of this legislation, Representative David Price.

(Mr. PRICE of North Carolina asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to another favorite son of North Carolina, who probably didn't play much hockey but who in all likelihood delighted many North Carolinians on the basketball court, Representative Bob Etheridge.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to another son of North Carolina, Representative Mike McIntyre.

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

I had the good fortune on this past Saturday night to run into and spend some time with Dr. John Hope Franklin, one of the legendary historians of our time. And, of course, he, too, was talking about hockey, I think, which sort of is an indication of how widespread interest there is and it has become relative to North Carolina's winning the Stanley Cup.

You see, Mr. Speaker, the Stanley Cup is a trophy awarded to the winners of the annual National Hockey League playoffs. It is one of the most recognized symbols in North American sports, and it is at the center of several legends and superstitions. The Stanley Cup is treated like royalty, attended to by full-time chaperones who wear white gloves to carry it.

Unlike the trophies awarded by the other three major professional sports leagues of North America, the Stanley Cup is never kept. The Stanley Cup winners keep it for only 1 year unless they repeat as league champions. It is also the only trophy in professional sports that has the name of every member of the winning team engraved upon it.

The Carolina Hurricanes, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, will have the honor of keeping the Stanley Cup for the next year. The franchise won its first Stanley Cup title in its 26 years in existence using grit, togetherness and a rookie goalie who unexpectedly carried his team on the ride of their lives. The Carolina Hurricanes did what most deemed impossible when the season started; they won the Stanley Cup in a game seven showdown against Canadian hockey royalty. The Hurricanes worked hard for home ice all season, and it paid off when 22-year-old Cam Ward turned back the Edmonton Oilers 3-1 to win the Conn Smythe trophy as the post-season's most valuable player.

The Carolina Hurricanes are the second consecutive Southeast Division team to defeat a Northwest Division team in post-season play. The Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2003-2004 season, like the Hurricanes, defeated a team from the Northwest Division.

Congratulations to the players, coaches and North Carolina for winning the Stanley Cup. I know that Representative Brad Miller had intended to be here to also add his congratulations, so on his behalf, and not only on behalf of all North Carolinians, but on behalf of all of us in America, we congratulate this outstanding franchise for a job well done.

I urge passage.

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. 881) congratulating the National Hockey League Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, on their victory in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he needs on this resolution to the gentleman from the State of North Carolina (Mr. Coble).

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

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 881, offered by the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price), congratulates the National Hockey League Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, on their victory in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals.

On their way to their second Stanley Cup appearance in four seasons, the Hurricanes notched an impressive 55-22-8 regular season record, second best in the Eastern Conference. Carolina boasted the best home record in the league, experiencing record crowds at the RBC Center, the loudest house in the NHL. Four Carolina players recorded 30 goal seasons, led by emerging superstar Eric Staal, who finished seventh in the NHL with 100 points. As for the team's last line of defense, Martin Gerber set a franchise record for goaltender wins in a season.

The team's depth was instrumental as well as their success was a testament to the character of its players and the ``whatever it takes'' mentality that permeated the locker room. Rookies and all-stars lined up side by side, playing key roles in the Hurricanes' run to respectability. Through the myriad of injuries, General Manager Jim Rutherford and Head Coach Peter Laviolette mixed and matched players as well as lines and pairings, shocking the Hockey Nation as Carolina stayed atop the Southeast Division standings. Knocking off the Montreal Canadiens, the New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres along the way, the Hurricanes returned home to beat the Edmonton Oilers with a score of 3- 1 and claimed the

first NHL championship in their franchise history.

I urge all Members to come together and commend the hard work and perseverance of the Carolina Hurricanes by adopting House Resolution 881.

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, it is obvious that the hometown pride has been well received with the Hurricanes. At the beginning of the season, they dreamed the impossible dream, and they captured it. I believe that we as this body deserve no less than to recognize them for their effort.

I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 881.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the winners of this year's National Hockey League Championship--the Carolina Hurricanes.

The team's Stanley Cup victory last Monday night ended a seven-game championship series versus the Edmonton Oilers, and wrapped up a fantastic season with North Carolina's first major professional sports title.

I congratulate Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos, general manager Jim Rutherford,

coach Peter Laviolette, team captain Rod Brind'Amour and all of the team's players, veterans and rookies alike, on their hard-earned success.

The team's 3-1 win in Game 7 of this year's Stanley Cup finals was proof that hard work pays off.

After years of losses and the trials involved in the team's move to North Carolina, the Hurricanes have conquered the world of hockey by winning the most famous trophy in the world of sports.

Despite hockey's short history in our region and sparse crowds in the team's early years on the ice, I have been amazed at how lovingly the people of North Carolina have embraced the former Hartford Whalers once they became the Hurricanes and owner Peter Karmanos moved the team to our state in 1997.

I am amazed that so many people in eastern North Carolina, who, like me, were not familiar with the sport of hockey, have grown to love the sport because of the Hurricanes.

Even in the town where I live, 68 miles East of Raleigh, I see countless cars flying the Hurricanes flag throughout the hockey season.

North Carolina residents, well-known fans of college basketball and NASCAR, have warmly embraced the sport of hockey by catching Hurricanes fever.

These athletes have become an integral part of their communities by actively involving themselves in the communities where they live.

For this, they have gained the respect and admiration of their North Carolina neighbors and fans.

When I go to a game, I am always so impressed by how many families I see cheering together for the Hurricanes, who we have welcomed into our communities and into the North Carolina family.

Their hard work, talent, and teamwork have been an incredible gift to loyal fans across the state.

There is a saying that a successful team beats with one heart.

Now, Mr. Speaker, with the team's Stanley Cup victory, it is without a doubt that the Carolina Hurricanes beat with one heart--the heart of a champion.

I am proud that the Hurricanes call North Carolina home and I congratulate their hard-earned success.

Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise to honor the Carolina Hurricanes, the proud winners of an outstanding seven-game Stanley Cup series with the Edmonton Oilers.

You know, the skeptics said that hockey would never work in North Carolina. Who would ever watch this northern sport in a southern city? Even if some small crowd showed up, could they even follow the rules of the game? Some doubted we could put ice to any purpose beyond cooling sweet tea.

Well, I stand here this evening to report that those early skeptics were wrong. Hockey has found a welcome home along Tobacco Road. Although I represent a constituency that I have to admit is more familiar with Tar Heels and Blue Devils, and the Wolfpack, we North Carolinians have found another winter sport in which to place our pride. We are proud of the Hurricanes and the Stanley Cup they have brought to our State.

We are proud of Cam Ward, the 22-year-old rookie goalkeeper who was recognized as the post-season most valuable player. Also veterans like Rod Brind'Amour, Glen Wesley, and Bret Hedican, who played a combined 49 NHL seasons before winning the Stanley Cup. We celebrate every team member as well as Coach Peter Laviolette and the rest of the Hurricanes' management and staff.

We are proud of the newfound energy and excitement that the Hurricanes have brought to their sport following that 2004-2005 lockout and the lost season. The thrilling championship run gave fans everywhere a chance and a reason to celebrate hockey again while also introducing many to the sport for the first time.

We are proud of how this team gives back to the community, generously donating time and resources to several charitable organizations across the State. The Hurricanes' Kids 'n Community Foundation serves my district by funding scholarships and youth sports and the arts and educational and children's health programs.

And of course, we are proud of the first major professional sports championship won by a team from North Carolina. This team's outstanding achievement and the dedication of their loyal fans have electrified Raleigh and the Triangle and our entire State.

So as the proud Representative of their home district, I offer my congratulations to the Carolina Hurricanes, winner of the Stanley Cup and the 2006 National Hockey League Champions. Go Canes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 881, legislation congratulating the new National Hockey League Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. Many thanks to my colleague, Mr. Price, for introducing this bill.

The 2006 Stanley Cup champions exemplify the qualities of a true team: dedication, determination, perseverance and professionalism; dedication to the pursuit of victory, determination to get the job done, perseverance never to stop, and the professionalism to play fairly and with honor and dignity.

Both the Hurricanes and their worthy opponents, the Edmonton Oilers, displayed in these Stanley Cup Finals exactly what hockey should be: energy and enthusiasm and excellence. The veteran leadership of Rod Brind'Amour, the youth and vigor of Erik Staal, the unexpected return of Eric Cole, and the rising talent of Cam Ward led the Hurricanes to capturing their first title in history.

And what a thrilling series in the Stanley Cup Finals. From the dramatic come-from-behind victory in the opening game through the final moments of a tense thriller in the last game. This was not just a win for the Hurricanes but also a great victory for all of North Carolina. Our State's first major league sports championship came in an unexpected form in a region known for its basketball. Hockey has found a home in the south, and the Carolina Hurricanes are here to stay. And their charity is also exemplified by Mike Commodore, who allowed his curly hair and beard to be clipped and shaved by fans who gave almost $15,000 for cancer research, which was done through the Jimmy V Celebrity Junior Golf Classic.

Throughout the years, the Stanley Cup has had the names of many of hockey's greats etched into its history, and today the U.S. House of Representatives congratulates the Carolina Hurricanes for joining this elite group.

This newspaper headline from a special edition of the Raleigh News & Observer says it all, that the ``Canes Reign.'' And, indeed, it has been a season of memories and one for the history books and one that we all look forward to having many more moments of Hurricane success. I say congratulations to the Carolina Hurricanes.