Congratulating Italy on winning the 2006 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup.

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

(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for the management of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, just over a week ago I had the tremendous pleasure of watching the thrilling finale of the World Cup championship match in Germany. As the winning penalty kick zipped past the French goalkeeper, I felt the joy of millions of Italians as they celebrated their historic fourth World Cup victory. For that matter, the entire planet with billions of people witnessing this special event, the number one sport in the world, not American football, I beg to say, Madam Speaker.

The Italians are known for the passion they exhibit in every endeavor they undertake. I cannot agree more with that. Whether it is in art, literature, mathematics, business or especially soccer, Italians all over the world pour their heart and soul into every task they assume.

Madam Speaker, this passion has led great men like Christopher Columbus, Amerigo Vespucci, Constantino Brumidi, Enrico Fermi and captains of industry A.P. Giannini, to contribute to the rock-solid foundation on which this country is built. Not to mention some of my favorite singers, Mario Lanza, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Perry Como, and the list goes on. This passion has also contributed mightily to the strong alliance between Italy and the United States since the end of World War II. Our bond with Italy kept the Soviet menace at bay during the decades of the Cold War.

Today, Italy aids in the fight for democracy. Our Italian allies fight, bleed, and even die to bring democracy to the people of Afghanistan and Iraq.

This passion was unabashedly unleashed in the worldwide celebrations following the Italian national soccer team's historic victory in Germany. I, for one, reveled in the images of our Italian friends singing and dancing around the world.

In all this praise for Italy and its fantastic soccer team, I would like to congratulate the fans who traveled to Germany to support their beloved Azzurri, as the national soccer team is known. During the month-long tournament, the fans were a model of civility and good spirits.

Madam Speaker, the Italian fans, along with those from 31 other nations, enjoyed the beautiful country of Germany and all of its 64 thrilling soccer matches without any major incidents.

Finally, I would like to commend those involved with the security of the World Cup tournament. As we all know, this kind of world gathering, unfortunately, presents potential terrorist opportunities as well as other

dangers. The German Government and security officials performed magnificently, the venues were safe, and the atmosphere always enjoyable.

This was an exciting month, capped off with an unforgettable ending for our longtime friends and allies, the Italian people. I strongly support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I just have a couple of minutes and I want to yield to myself to again commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella) for offering this legislation.

We have a long way to go as far as the sport of soccer is concerned. I just wish that maybe if it wasn't so much into American football, our Nation could concentrate and focus on the fact that this is the number one sport in the world. And I am sure that if we turn our resources, our technology, our know-how into becoming competent and being really proactive in this support, maybe our own country could also be favored to be among the top players in this sport.

It was interesting to note, Madam Speaker, that all the expectations were supposed to be on Brazil, and the great player Renaldo was supposed to give Brazil another World Cup. And then even Argentina was supposed to focus on this. But never was there any expectation that teams from Europe would dominate as they did, where Italy has now won this great sport.

Madam Speaker, I did have the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley) to come and also make a presentation, but unfortunately he is tied up with other meetings, but I am sure that he will have a separate statement to be submitted to be made part of the Record.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers and yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

As mentioned, last week with approximately a billion people watching, for the first time in 24 years, the Italian National Soccer Team won the Federation Internationale de Football Association World Cup. It was indeed a great day for the people of Italy. I know they celebrated with pride and enthusiasm, and they probably still are, and rightfully so.

But it was also a very important and poignant day for many Americans of Italian descent. While I, like many here, rooted for the American team, and I tip my hat to the U.S.A. team that tied the Italian soccer team, they should be very proud for trying and giving their best and representing our Nation well in Germany.

But no question, Italy's victory captivated the world and showed that teamwork is the key to success.

It was wonderful to watch the game across Staten Island and Brooklyn, whether it was the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn, and I spent much of the day in Bensonhurst along 18th Avenue. I stopped into many of the clubs and restaurants, and literally televisions were in the middle of the street as people poured out to watch their favorite players and cheer. There were thousands celebrating into the night as well.

During the game, we were proud to watch Italy play with a passion, overcoming every challenge to go undefeated in the tournament and walk away the champions.

Team Italy, known as Azzurri, or simply ``The Blue'' went undefeated in World Cup play and won the final game in only the second World Cup championship to be determined by a shoot-out.

That makes Italy the second most successful country in World Cup history, winning four championships in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006. But fate rested on the side of Italy this year, and despite strong competition of many countries, Italy was the victor.

I am delighted to have introduced this resolution to recognize Azzurri and extend our praise to its coach, Marcello Lippi, and the entire team. I would like to thank Chairman Hyde, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Member Lantos. And also, finally, I know this has been a great relationship, which has just been mentioned, between Italy and the United States. The role that Italy has played is often taken for granted. It is one of our largest trading partners.

It is a nation that embraces Western values, that celebrates and cherishes freedom and individual liberty and has been an especially strong supporter of our country in the last several years as we engage in the war on terror.

There is no question that we have a tremendous bond with the Italian people and that it serves our interests as well as theirs. There is no question that there are many Americans of Italian descent who have made this country the greatest in the history of the world. From the art, the literature, the law, politics, music, you name it, there have been contributions from Americans of Italian descent.

And I would say, finally, if you had a visual of driving around at least Brooklyn on that day to see the American flag waving so proudly outside people's houses and on their door steps, and next to it the Italian flag, I think it represents the strong alliance and unbelievable embrace that Americans of Italian descent love this country, respect their heritage, and on that day, Italy proved to the world that teamwork and pride works. No, ifs, ands, or head butts.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 908) congratulating Italy on winning the 2006 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup, as amended.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to request my colleagues' support for H. Res. 908, a resolution congratulating Italy on winning the 2006 Federation Internationale de Football Association, or FIFA, World Cup.

On July 9, 2006 the Italian team, known affectionately in Italy as Azzurri, or ``The Blue,'' secured its place as one of the most successful teams in World Cup history, having reached the finals six times and having just won its championship.

Under the leadership of Coach Marcello Lippi and Captain Fabio Cannavaro, the Italian team went undefeated in World Cup play. I must point out in a bit of national pride that the only team Italy was unable to defeat was our very own United States National Team, with whom Italy tied 1-1.

The Italian championship at the FIFA World Cup highlights the vibrant culture and the heritage of Italy, the same vibrant culture and heritage brought to America by millions of Italian immigrants that has enriched and continues to enrich our great Nation through countless contributions to every aspect of our society.

This is a proud heritage that is shared by millions of Italian Americans, and a pride which extends to the Italian National World Cup team. Countless Americans throughout the United States rejoiced at Italy's success, and it is with a hearty ``bene fatto'' that I extend congratulations to Italy and to the Italian International Soccer team on winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup. I urge my colleagues to do likewise by agreeing to this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella), the original sponsor of this resolution.

(Mr. FOSSELLA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Italy on winning the 2006 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup. Throughout the competition Italy exhibited great sportsmanship and competitive skill that carried them through to the final round. Billions of soccer fans across he globe had the opportunity to follow Italy as the team progressed to become one of the most successful countries in World Cup history.

Under the extraordinary leadership of head coach Marcello Lippi and team Captain Fabio Cannavaro, Italy was able to win the championship for the fourth time in World Cup history. Some of the most enthusiastic fans of Italy hailed from the United States and were able to support their favorite team. Italy's victory was especially exciting for the millions of Italian Americans who proudly value Italian culture and heritage.

I would like to commend Congressman Fossella for introducing H. Res. 908 to honor Italy's great athletic accomplishment. By participating in the FIFA World Cup, Italy was able to partake in an excellent forum for the development of international friendship and relationships.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 908, which congratulates the Italian national soccer team for their 2006 FIFA World Cup championship. The World Cup is a true testament of nations of the world putting aside their differences to come together in competition and athletic excellence.

Following Fabio Grosso's goal in penalty kicks sealing the Italian victory, people around the globe joined the people of Rome, Naples, and Milan in celebration of Italy's return to World Cup glory. Even back in my district, Italian Americans took to the streets of Franklin Avenue in the south end of Hartford with Italian flags, jerseys, face paint, and smiles in jubilation of the Italian victory.

I join my fellow colleagues, those back in my district, and Italians around the world in congratulating the Italian national soccer team on their undefeated tournament run and their incredible achievement of the Italian nation's fourth World Cup victory.