Congratulating the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on winning the 2010 NCAA Division I College World Series.

Madam Speaker, it's with great gratitude that I rise today in support of House Resolution 1491 to formally congratulate the University of South Carolina's baseball team for its impressive success at the College World Series. Today's resolution, endorsed by all six Members of the South Carolina delegation to congratulate the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on winning the 2010 NCAA Division I College World Series, is particularly special to me as I am able to honor my alma mater and that of my mother and father and that of many of the Second Congressional District staff.

The journey to this point hasn't been the easiest for the Gamecocks and history has not been on our side, as this is the first time in the school's history that the baseball team earned this great achievement despite going to the College World Series nine times.

During the NCAA tournament, the team faced an opening loss to Oklahoma and as a result had to do the unthinkable: win four consecutive games that included back-to-back wins against in-state arch rival Clemson University. The last stop on the journey was UCLA, a highly respected and talented team in the championship series. The Gamecocks had impressive consecutive victories over the Bruins to finish the season with a 54-16 overall record and earn the title of College World Series National Champions.

I'm extremely proud of the way these student athletes represented our university and our great State. None of this would have been possible without the USC Coach, Ray Tanner, whose leadership and determination has led to over 600 victories, 11 consecutive post-season appearances, and now a national title for the Gamecocks. Tanner's coaching success is complemented by associate head coach Chad Holbrook and assistant coach Mark Calvi.

The team is led by Whit Merrifield, the first cousin of Second Congressional District staff member Melissa Hite of Irma, South Carolina, who withstood a hard collision in South Carolina's victory over Clemson but stayed in the game and drove in the winning run at the bottom of the 11th inning the next night to claim the national title for the Gamecocks.

Defying all odds and refusing to give in, Jackie Bradley, Jr., delivered a clutch hit which scored the tying run in the bottom of the 12th inning against Oklahoma in the June 24 elimination game. Without Bradley's hit, the Gamecocks run at winning the national title would have come to a sudden halt.

Second District resident Blake Cooper, of Neeses, was the most valuable player of the first game of the championship series with an outstanding pitching performance against the UCLA Bruins. Freshman pitcher Matt Price, of Sumter, held the Bruins scoreless for the last three innings of the College World Series and earned Freshman All American honors from Baseball America.

I want to offer a big congratulations to Austin Ashmore of Greer, South Carolina; Parker Bangs of Laurinburg, North Carolina; Robert Beary of Apopka, Florida; Nolan Belcher of Augusta, Georgia; Jackie Bradley, Jr., of Prince George, Virginia; Jay Brown of Brunswick, Georgia; Alex Burrell of Landrum, South Carolina; Ethan Carter of Newport News, Virginia; Brison Celek of Charleston, South Carolina; Blake Cooper of Neeses, South Carolina; Sam Dyson of Tampa, Florida; Nick Ebert of Ocala, Florida; Kyle Enders of Greer, South Carolina; Bobby Haney of Smithtown, New York; Greg Harrison of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; Colby Holmes of Conway, South Carolina; Anthony Iacomini of Cross River, New York; Jeffery Jones of Ft. Worth, Texas; Evan Marzilli of Cranston, Rhode Island; Jose Mata of Miami Lakes, Florida; Adam Matthews of Lexington, South Carolina; Whit Merrifield of Advance, North Carolina, a constituent of Congresswoman Virginia Foxx; Adrian Morales of Hialeah, Florida; Logan Munson of Columbia, South Carolina; Steven Neff of Lancaster, South Carolina; Matt Price of Sumter, South Carolina; Jordan Propst of Gaffney, South Carolina; Jimmy Revan of Chesnee, South Carolina; Michael Roth of Greer, South Carolina; Richard Royal of Fayetteville, North Carolina; Patrick Sullivan of Columbia, South Carolina; John Taylor of Florence, South Carolina; Brady Thomas of Anderson, South Carolina; Christian Walker of Limerick, Pennsylvania; Tyler Webb of Nassawdox, Virginia; Adam Westmoreland of Cayce, South Carolina; Jake Williams of Greer, South Carolina; and Scott Wingo of Greenville, South Carolina.

In conclusion, I urge my colleagues to join in supporting House Resolution 1491. Go Gamecocks.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1491) congratulating the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on winning the 2010 NCAA Division I College World Series.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1491 into the Record.

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

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1491, which congratulates the University of South Carolina's Gamecocks for winning the 2010 NCAA Division I College World Series--their very first such title.

On June 29, 2010, the Gamecocks played a tough game against the UCLA Bruins at the historic Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska. Tied at the top of the 9th, the Gamecocks hit their final run at the bottom of the 11th inning and secured their win. Although the team had sustained a first-round loss in the College World Series, they went on to win six consecutive games and secure their first national title.

For head coach Ray Tanner, it was his 14th season with the University of South Carolina and his fourth at the College World Series. During this season, Coach Tanner recorded his 1,000th win of his career and became the 44th Division I coach to reach this milestone. He was named 2010 National Coach of the Year by Collegiate Baseball, and we congratulate Coach Tanner on his impressive record.

The entire Gamecocks lineup demonstrated excellence this season. I would like to especially recognize junior outfielder Whit Merrifield, who drove the final run home with a sharp single to right field that scored teammate Scott Wingo from third base and lifted USC to their victory. Over 40,0000 fans greeted the Gamecocks at their victory parade in Columbia, South Carolina; and we join them in their celebration.

Madam Speaker, I express my support for House Resolution 1491 and congratulate the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on their 2010 NCAA Division I College World Series victory. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, at this time I yield such time as he may consume to my colleague, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt).

Madam Speaker, I once again show my support for House Resolution 1491, in particular, my support and congratulations to our two South Carolina colleagues who are here today as well. I know it is a very happy day for them.

I want to congratulate the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on their 2010 NCAA Division I College World Series victory, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1491, congratulating the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on winning the 2010 NCAA Division I College World Series.

The University of South Carolina, located in Columbia, South Carolina, was founded as South Carolina College in 1801. The university offers more than 350 programs of study from 14 colleges and schools and has an enrollment of over 28,000 students. The USC Gamecocks have 19 varsity athletic programs and have won seven national championships including the 2010 College World Series.

Since 1970, South Carolina Gamecocks baseball has been considered an elite program in college baseball, appearing in 26 NCAA tournaments and nine college world series. The team played their first intercollegiate game in 1895. South Carolina owns a 23-17 all-time record in the College World Series and is 103-56 in NCAA tournament play. The 2010 South Carolina Gamecocks baseball team was led to national victory by head coach Ray Tanner. In 14 seasons at South Carolina, Coach Tanner has a 634-282 record with four College World Series appearances.

This year in 2010, Coach Tanner and the Gamecocks won the NCAA championship at the College World Series in Omaha, becoming the first team to win six straight games in a world series and the third team to win the College World Series after losing its first game of the series. South Carolina won the College World Series in the final game against UCLA on June 30, 2010.

I'm honored to stand before the House today to congratulate and recognize the significant achievements of the players, coaches, and students whose dedication and hard work have led to the success of the University of South Carolina baseball program as the 2010 NCAA Division I College World Series national champions.

I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).

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

Madam Speaker, I join other members of the South Carolina delegation in cheering the University of South Carolina baseball team and Coach Ray Tanner for winning the 2010 College World Series.

I extend special congratulations to Coach Tanner for being named College Coach of the Year by Baseball America. Coach Tanner is completing his 14th season at the University of South Carolina.

I also take particular pride in the accomplishments of the players from my district, the Fifth Congressional District, including Matt Price, the pitcher who earned the win with his relief effort against UCLA in the Gamecocks' championship-clinching victory.

The College World Series is a tribute to the impact of baseball on our State. Five public universities from South Carolina made the field of 64, and during the semifinal, a great in-State rivalry was played out on the national stage as the Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Clemson Tigers to advance to the finals.

This win was the university's first championship in any men's sport, and its impact upon the city of Columbia and the State was immediate and profound. It is hard to believe that the Gamecocks prevailed even when they were one strike away from elimination in the quarter-final game.

In addition to their athletic abilities, these young athletes serve as examples of the power of hard work, perseverance, and commitment. They have our gratitude and admiration, and I commend them for their sterling achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my apologies for my absence on July 20, 2010, and for missing recorded votes held on this day. I regret that matters in my district required my personal attention and prevented me from being present to cast my vote. Although I was unable to vote, I wish to let my constituents and my colleagues know how I would have voted had I been present.

On H. Res. 1491--Congratulating the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on winning the 2010 NCAA Division I College World Series--I would have voted ``aye.''

On H.R. 5604--Surface Transportation Savings Act of 2010--I would have voted ``aye.''

On H. Res. 1516--Recognizing the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II, honoring the service members who fought in World War II and their families, and honoring the service members who are currently serving in combat operations--I would have voted ``aye.''