Commending the Michigan State University Spartans for their victory in the 2007 NCAA Hockey Championship.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might consume.

I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania. I also want to thank Bart Stupak from Michigan for working with us on this resolution.

I am proud to represent Michigan State University in the great State of Michigan. It is truly an extraordinary school with a proud history of world-class academics and championship athletics. Known for its quality in faculty, its research, it is certainly one of the finer universities, a proud tradition in

land grant institutions in this great State who is now headed by President Lou Anna Simon, who has done a tremendous job at the university in so many areas.

But last month we got to witness Michigan State's winning tradition once again, this time on the biggest stage in college hockey.

On April 7, the MSU hockey team won the Division I NCAA National Championship. The Spartans defeated Boston College by a score of 3-1, as we all know, and the winning goal came with only 18.9 seconds left in the game. It's no fun unless you make it close. Well, our Spartans certainly got our heart rates up that particular day.

It was a hard-fought game against a top-ranked opponent, but as many of you know, the Spartans' specialty is winning. They came out on top.

The Spartans scored three goals in the third period to spur a dramatic, comeback-from-behind victory. Justin Abdelkader scored the game-winning goal and was named MVP of the NCAA Frozen Four tournament. Chris Mueller put the game out of reach with an empty-net goal with just 1.2 seconds left on the clock. Goalie Jeff Lerg made 29 saves, as the gentleman from Pennsylvania discussed earlier.

Upon their return to East Lansing, showing the school spirit, certainly the community's support, there were over 4,500 fans turned out for a parade and a rally at Munn Ice Arena on the campus of Michigan State University.

Prior to the championship game, the MSU hockey squad burned through the NCAA Frozen Four tournament. The Spartans defeated Boston University, Notre Dame, University of Maine to reach that championship game.

In the tournament, the Spartans played top-notch defense against the Nation's best teams. They were 17 for 18 on penalty kills. Jeff Lerg made 104 saves and allowed only five goals in the tournament.

Let me tell you a little bit more about this historic championship season. The Spartans won the national championship for the third time in school history, the first since 1986 when current Athletic Director Ron Mason coached the team. Michigan State's Rick Comley, in his fifth year as head coach, won his first national title with Michigan State and the second national title as head coach. The Spartans compiled a 23-13-3 record and won the national championship as a number three seed in a field of 16 tournament.

There are many reasons to be proud of this Spartan team, and there are many reasons Michigan State fans are so proud of their hockey team and their university.

Michigan State remains the all-time winningest program in the history of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Former Head Coach Ron Mason has 924 victories, making him the all-time winningest coach in NCAA history. Current Head Coach Rick Comley has 714 wins, ranking fifth of all time.

I am proud to be a Spartan and represent that fine Michigan State University, and on behalf of myself, the entire Michigan delegation, Bart Stupak for his special assistance, I would like to congratulate our head coach, Rick Comley; his hardworking staff and assistants; and the best hockey players on the ice, the Michigan State Spartans; and certainly their fans.

Go Green.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 325) commending the Michigan State University Spartans for their victory in the 2007 NCAA Hockey Championship, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, on April 7 in St. Louis, Missouri, the Michigan State Spartans beat the Boston College Eagles 3-1 to win the 2007 NCAA Hockey Championship, affectionately known annually as the Frozen Four.

The win gave the Michigan State hockey team their first championship in 21 years, and Spartan forward Justin Abdelkader rang it off the post and scored with 18.9 seconds to snap a 1-1 tie and bring home the championship for Michigan State.

They scored three goals in the final 10 minutes of the game, and Spartan goalie Jeff Lerg was spectacular, making 29 saves and allowing only one goal.

The Spartans won the hearts of underdogs everywhere. Their win capped an improbable four-game run by the third-seeded Michigan State team, who few considered to be championship contenders. In fact, the Spartans are only the second number three seed to make it to the championship game and the first in history to win it.

Justin Abdelkader was the 2007 Men's Frozen Four MVP, and the championship is Head Coach Rich Comley's second. He also won as head coach of Northern Michigan in 1991. He is one of only three coaches to have won titles with two different teams.

This is the second straight year that Boston College has lost in the championship game, and I did want to take a moment to highlight their achievements.

Last year, they lost in the finals to the Wisconsin Badgers, but prior to this year's championship, they had won 13 consecutive games, piling up a 29-11-2 record. They had multiple All-American candidates and two players who received All New England honors.

I want to extend my congratulations to the Spartan's head coach Rick Comley, Assistant Coaches Tom Newton, Brian Renfrew and Rob Woodward. I also want to recognize Michigan State University Athletic Director Ron Mason, President Lou Anna Simon and, most importantly, the Spartan players for their amazing season.

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

I thank the gentleman from Michigan. I know there is no greater Michigan State fan in this body than him and how thrilled he was when they brought home that title. So congratulations to him.

This bill was sponsored by Congressman Stupak from Michigan, and he apologizes for not being able to be here. We had a change in the schedule due to the budget discussion that we had that went on for an hour or so. He wanted me to point out specifically how happy he was for Head Coach Comley, whom he has known for his years at Northern Michigan where he won his first championship.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I yield back my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in honoring the Michigan State University Men's Hockey team in winning the Frozen Four, becoming the Men's National Collegiate Hockey Champions.

On Saturday, April 7, 2007, a record crowd of 19,432 witnessed Michigan State defeat Boston College, 3-1, in the championship game of the 2007 NCAA Men's Frozen Four in Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

During the first period, neither team was able to push the puck past the opposing goalie. As the championship game progressed into the final period, most fans thought the game was headed to overtime. MSU then ``exploded'' with three goals in the final 10 minutes of the game, icing the championship for MSU.

This victory constituted MSU's third national championship, and the first since 1986. Each member of the MSU Hockey organization made essential contributions to the team's success.

Justin Abdelkader, who was named the team's Most Outstanding Player, snapped a 1-1 tie with 18.9 seconds to go, seconds after ringing a shot off the goalie post.

Jeff Lerg made 29 saves, and Chris Mueller added an empty-net goal with 1.2 seconds left to clinch it for the 3-1 Spartan win.

MSU Spartans' Head Coach Rick Comley has become only the third coach in college hockey history to win national titles at two Division I Universities, and has earned over 700 career wins. Coach Comley last won the NCAA Championship with Northern Michigan University in 1991.

The Spartan Hockey Team not only demonstrated untouchable strength and skill, but also perseverance and determination to make Michigan State University and all of the State of Michigan proud.

The unyielding support from thousands of fans, family and friends, dressed in green, lined the streets of East Lansing where they turned out to welcome MSU's national championship hockey team back home.

I am pleased to join with my colleague; Congressman Mike Rogers, who represents Michigan State University, and all the Michigan delegation in honoring MSU and its NCAA National Champion Men's hockey team.

I am also very pleased that MSU selected my friend from Northern Michigan Hockey coach, Rick Comley, to lead MSU to its latest hockey title after its legendary hockey coach, Ron Mason, became MSU's athletic director.

Again, I congratulate the MSU Spartan Hockey Team on winning the 2007 NCAA Championship and recognize all the players, coaches, managers, staff, fans, and families who were instrumental in this great achievement.

Mr. Speaker, my resolution, H. Res. 290, recognizes the goals and the ideals of the 30th annual Rocky Mountain Senior Games, which will be held in the next few weeks in my district in Colorado.

The Colorado Senior Development Council began hosting athletic competition for adults 50 and older in 1978; and today, the City of Greeley, and the Greeley Department of Recreation have partnered with the Colorado Senior Sports Development Council to host this popular event in the Rocky Mountain region.

The games originated in Colorado as a 1-day competition featuring four athletic events, including swimming, track and field, and basketball. Today, the Rocky Mountain games are among the oldest of its kind in the Nation and are among the most popular.

This year's games will be held from June 6-10, and there will be a wide range of events that include basketball, track and field, swimming, billiards, tennis, badminton, cycling, weight lifting, skeet and trap shooting, archery, a 5k and a 10k road race, a triathlon, and many others. The popularity of these events are made most evident by the high number of competitors.

Last year, for instance, there were more than 1,400 individuals who competed in the games, many of whom succeeded in qualifying for the bi- annual national games.

In fact, Colorado will be well represented at this year's national games, which will be held later this summer in Louisville, Kentucky. There are 640 Colorado athletes who have already qualified.

The individuals who participate experience friendly fellowship, camaraderie, and the exhilaration of competition. For a long time, fitness has been synonymous with Colorado. I think that's because of our wonderful sunny climate and our natural treasures that encourage people to get out and enjoy themselves. It's not surprising, then, that so many seniors continue exercising and seek out active competition, even as they begin to get older.

My bill recognizes these competitors and the benefits they are making towards their long-term health. I am pleased my colleagues in Congress, especially those in Colorado, are joining me today to approve this bill.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 290) honoring the contributions of the Rocky Mountain Senior Games on its 30th anniversary for significantly improving the health and well-being of older Americans.

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

Mr. Speaker, for 30 years the Rocky Mountain Senior Games has offered athletic competition and social opportunities to men and women, age 50 and older. Athletes of all abilities are encouraged to participate in over 30 athletic and social events. Competition is divided into male and female divisions, as well as mixed competition and by age groups. The purpose of the Rocky Mountain Senior Games is to motivate women and men over the age of 50 to pursue and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

In 2006, the Rocky Mountain Senior Games hosted 1,035 participants from 17 States across the country. The Rocky Mountain Senior Games offers our Nation's seniors the opportunity to experience the thrill of competition and the joy of camaraderie, while improving their physical fitness.

It is of vital importance that we encourage all adults to establish and maintain healthy lifestyles so that they can maintain a high quality of life as they grow older.

For 30 years, the Rocky Mountain Senior Games have helped improve the health and well-being of older Americans in our Nation. Every year, more and more seniors travel to Greeley, Colorado, to participate.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the Rocky Mountain Senior Games.

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask that Members be given 5 legislative days to insert material relevant to H. Res. 325 and H. Res. 290 into the Record.

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