Congratulating the University of Dayton men's basketball team for winning the 2010 National Invitation Tournament basketball championship.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 1456, congratulating the University of Dayton men's basketball team for winning the 2010 National Invitation Tournament basketball championship.

This past season, the Dayton Flyers men's basketball team won its third NIT championship in school history. The team won the championship on April 1, defeating the 2009 NCAA Tournament national champion North Carolina Tarheels 79-68. The University of Dayton men's basketball team is second in all-time wins in the NIT with 40.

In addition to their success off the court, as has been stated, the University of Dayton academically is also very successful with its student athletes. The men's basketball team upholds a high standard of academic excellence. The program has graduated every senior student athlete since Brian Gregory was named head coach in 2003, including seven players this season. But in addition, UD graduated 96 percent of all its student athletes in 2008, the most of any Atlantic 10 Conference school, and it tied for 10th in the Nation.

In 2006, the Savior of Our Cities national survey of community revitalization ranked the University of Dayton number one among Catholic universities and number three overall in helping save America's cities from blight. They are very active in our community revitalization. The University of Dayton is also a center of research excellence, with UDRI being a major contributor to research that affects our national security.

Not only does the men's basketball program serve as a significant aspect of campus life, it also plays a major role in bringing people from the surrounding area into the city. The Flyers men's basketball team has been one of the biggest sports attractions in the Dayton area for years. Since UD Arena opened in 1969, Dayton has been in the NCAA's top 35 in home attendance every season. This past season, the Flyers led the Atlantic 10 Conference in attendance for its 13th straight season.

The University of Dayton is one of the 10 largest Catholic schools in the United States and is the largest of the three Marianist universities in the Nation. The students, alumni, administration, faculty, and supporters of the University of Dayton are to be congratulated for their loyalty and pride in their championship-caliber basketball team.

I would like to thank my Ohio colleagues, all of whom are original cosponsors of this resolution. As a proud alumnus of the University of Dayton MBA program, I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution congratulating the University of Dayton's men's basketball team on their successful season.

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

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1456, congratulating the University of Dayton's men's basketball team for winning the 2010 National Invitation Tournament basketball championship.

On April 1, 2010, the University of Dayton Flyers defeated the University of North Carolina Tarheels 79-68 in the finals of the National Invitation Men's Basketball Tournament. The Flyers men's basketball team now holds 40 all-time victories in the National Invitation Tournament, or NIT, the second-most victories in tournament history.

Flyers Coach Brian Gregory led the team to victory in his seventh season as Dayton's head coach, every season of which has been a winning season. Head Coach Brian Gregory has also led the team to two NCAA tournaments and two National Invitation Tournaments.

Flyers player Chris Johnson earned the 2010 NIT most outstanding player, and Marcs Johnson was selected to the NIT All-Tournament team. The Dayton Flyers finished the 2009-2010 season with 29 wins and 14 losses, ending the season with the team's third NIT title.

Although we are celebrating the University of Dayton's athletic excellence, we should take a moment to recognize the quality of the University of Dayton's academic programs as well. The University of Dayton is a top-tier national doctoral-level university, and one of the 10 best Catholic universities in the Nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Founded in 1850, the University of Dayton's offerings include 70 high-quality undergraduate programs in four divisions and graduate programs at the master's and doctoral level, as well as a law degree. The largest private university in Ohio, the University of Dayton, is a leader in higher education. So I extend my congratulations to University of Dayton President Daniel Curran, Head Coach Brian Gregory and his staff, the hardworking players, and of course the fans. I wish all continued success and ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the author of the resolution, a representative of Dayton and surrounding areas in Ohio, Mike Turner.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1456) congratulating the University of Dayton men's basketball team for winning the 2010 National Invitation Tournament basketball championship.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1456 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1456, which congratulates the University of Dayton men's basketball team for winning the 2010 National Invitation Tournament Basketball Championship. The N.I.T. is the oldest tournament in college basketball. Started in 1938, it was the first postseason collegiate basketball tournament to be played in the country, 1 year before the

Once again, I congratulate the Dayton Flyers on winning the 2010 NIT tournament, and I thank Representative Turner for bringing this resolution forward.

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