Congratulating Syracuse University for winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 562) congratulating Syracuse University for winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 562 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Syracuse University men's lacrosse team for their victory in the 2009 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament.

On May 25, 2009, the Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse team celebrated their NCAA Division I championship title after a close 10-9 victory over the Cornell Big Red. This victory marks the 11th national championship for the Orange in lacrosse, the most in NCAA history. This is the second consecutive year that the Syracuse men's lacrosse team has successfully won this title. In addition, this win capped a season for the Orange that saw the team tie the NCAA record for the best 1- year win-loss improvement.

The game that secured the Orange's victory was especially exciting. Down three goals with four minutes to play and the ball in Cornell's possession, Syracuse staged an unlikely comeback. Scoring the definitive goal in sudden death overtime made for an exhilarating and especially exciting win for the team, showcasing their focus under pressure and excellent teamwork.

I congratulate John Desko on his fourth national title as coach of the Orange. In his 11 years as head coach at Syracuse, he has led the Orange to seven NCAA final appearances and nine Final Fours. Coach Desko serves as a wonderful mentor to his players both on and off the field.

I want to recognize the Syracuse Orange for their incredible season, characterized by tenacity, talent, and leadership. I am certain that this team will carry this momentum into next season.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I congratulate Syracuse University men's lacrosse team on their 2009 Division I NCAA championship title.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I ask my colleagues to support the resolution congratulating the Syracuse University men's lacrosse team for their victory in the 2009 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 562, congratulating Syracuse University for winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament.

It is estimated that lacrosse may have developed as early as the 12th century. It originated among Native American tribes in North America. In 1637, the game was first named lacrosse. The game underwent many modernizations during the 19th century, and the first intercollegiate lacrosse game was played in 1877. By the early 1900s, students across North America were participating in the sport in high schools, colleges, and universities.

Syracuse University was founded in 1870. Today, the university serves over 19,000 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students. Syracuse University offers degrees in over 20 majors from 10 different schools and colleges. Syracuse Orange has 12 women's intercollegiate athletic teams and 8 men's intercollegiate athletic teams.

SU has 27 team national championships, including 11 men's lacrosse NCAA national championships. Syracuse University's men's lacrosse team added an 11th NCAA championship to their record this year. That is the most NCAA national lacrosse championships ever won by a single team.

Syracuse's team was coached by John Desko. In the final championship game, SU won against Cornell University in overtime in a thrilling game that ended 10-9. Junior Cody Jamieson scored the winning point 1 minute 20 seconds into the extra session.

It is truly an honor to stand before the House today to congratulate Syracuse University for winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament. I extend my congratulations to Syracuse University, the players, the coaches, and the students. I wish all involved

continued success and ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House for 1 minute and revise and extend my remarks.

On Monday, October 26, and Friday, October 23, I was unavoidably delayed on my return to Washington from American Samoa and Samoa where I had been monitoring ongoing relief and recovery efforts of FEMA and others currently underway in response to the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck those islands on September 29. As the Member of Congress with the nation's largest concentration of Samoan Americans on the mainland and as a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, undertaking this fact-finding mission was directly related to my representational, legislative, and committee responsibilities.

Because of this excused absence I was not present for rollcall votes 814 through 815.

Had I been present I would have voted as follows:

1. On rollcall No. 814. I would have voted aye. H. Res. 368-- Congratulating the University of Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling team on winning the 2009 NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championships (Rep. Loebsack--Education and Labor).

2. On rollcall No. 815, I would have voted aye. H. Res. 562-- Congratulating Syracuse University for winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament (Rep. Maffei--Education and Labor).

Madam Speaker, on Monday, October 26 and Tuesday, October 27, 2009, I was unfortunately unable to be present for recorded votes while at home recovering from a collapsed lung.

Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 814 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 368, as amended), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 815 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 562), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 816 (on the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2996), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 817 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2489, as amended), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 818 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 854).

Madam Speaker, unfortunately on October 26, 2009, I was unable to cast my votes on H. Res. 368 and H. Res. 562 and wish the Record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 814 on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 368, Congratulating the University of Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling team on winning the 2009 NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championships, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 815 on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 562, Congratulating Syracuse University for winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Mens Lacrosse Tournament, I would have voted ``aye.''