Congratulating Flint native, University of Alabama sophomore, and running back Mark Ingram on winning the 2009 Heisman Trophy and honoring both his athletic and academic achievements.

Madam Speaker, I commend Mark Ingram. The whole State of Alabama is very proud of Mark and Flint, Michigan. The State of Michigan I know is very proud of their native son, and they should be. I commend Congressman Kildee for bringing this resolution. The State of Michigan has overcome many challenges, and I think it's fitting that Mark Ingram comes from a State that has overcome so many challenges.

I rise to recognize Mark Ingram as representing the citizens of Alabama. He is the first Heisman Trophy winner to ever win the award at the University of Alabama. Now, think about the University of Alabama, Bear Bryant, and the storied program at the university; yet he is the first recipient of the Heisman Trophy at the University of Alabama. Many names come to mind at the University of Alabama, many all- Americans; yet he is the first to accomplish that. And as Congressman Kildee said, he did so in his sophomore year.

A ``Sports Illustrated'' cover story called Mark ``the Pride of the Tide.'' He did set an Alabama single-season rushing record of over 1,542 yards. He led the Nation with 38 runs of 10 yards or more, and he caught 30 passes in addition to that. When the game was on the line, Mark Ingram was at his best.

What statistics don't measure and what Congressman Guthrie and what Congressman Kildee have properly emphasized is the person that Mark Ingram is. You know, in life, it's not so much your accomplishments on the field. It's what you do with that opportunity. It's what you do with that talent. And Mark's greatest asset is his spirit. He stands as an example for all young people of what can be achieved through hard work, through determination of overcoming adversity and putting others first.

In his acceptance speech, he put others first. He recognized his four competitors. He talked about how much he enjoyed getting to meet them, what fine young men they were; and we know that that's true. We know of Tim Tebow. We know of all that Tim has done off the field. He is an inspiration to all of us with his values and his spiritual commitment.

Prior to the Alabama-Texas game, Alabama fans who visited California had many conversations with the University of Texas fans. Both before the game, during the game, and after the game, the respect, the kindness, and the hospitality between those two teams and between their fans should be an example for all of us. There was such a spirit of friendliness. And Colt McCoy, many of us learned that he spends as much as 2 or 3 hours on certain days visiting children with terminal illnesses and with severe illnesses. What a fine young man. What a fine young man Tim Tebow is.

Mark Ingram is a better person because of the challenges of those young men and their examples. I think he will be a better example for others. And how wonderful it is that our young people can look to people like Mark Ingram, Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy to be role models.

I think the story that Mark has that is a little special is dealing with the family challenges. Mark has been a model of grace and loyalty. As a dean's list student, he has balanced his record on the football field with excellence in the classroom. He demonstrated his humility and his spirit of sportsmanship during his speech at the Heisman Trophy award ceremony. He thanked his teachers. He thanked his coaches. He thanked his teammates. And as I said earlier, he thanked his competitors and talked about what fine young men they were.

So today I think we not only congratulate Mark Ingram, but we congratulate Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, and college football for producing so many fine young men that are examples off the field as well as on the field. And college football is better because of Mark Ingram. It's better because of them. It's better because of people back in Flint, Michigan, the grandfather and mother and teachers who made Mark Ingram the person he is today. And he had the intelligence and the character to recognize them.

Mark was the most valuable player of the national championship game. Not only was he that; he was a Heisman

award winner, and he won the national championship. That is something that no other player has done, no other player in the history of college football. Matt Leinart of the University of Southern Cal was a Heisman Trophy winner, and he played for USC in the national championship game. However, he was not the most valuable player. As I said, the Alabama and Texas fans came together to support their teams, two storied programs. They were respectful of each other, and they are an example of the high plane that college athletes can reach.

The way that Mark Ingram has conducted himself and represented his team and the university is perhaps his greatest accomplishment. It is a source of pride for all supporters of Alabama football but also for Auburn supporters. I can tell you that we are all, in the State of Alabama and throughout the country, proud of Mark Ingram. From President Robert Witt to Coach Nick Saban to all citizens of the State.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, we congratulate Mark Ingram for his achievements for his hard work. And it did take hard work; it was not given to him. He has earned every accolade.

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

I appreciate the gentleman from Flint here today, and I know the people of the State of Alabama appreciate having Mark Ingram in their State and going to school at the university. I rise today to support this House resolution, congratulating the Flint native Mark Ingram, University of Alabama sophomore and running back, on winning the 2009 Heisman Trophy, honoring both his athletic and academic achievements.

And that's important. The idea to award the most outstanding college football player was originally conceived by members of the Downtown Athletic Club who appointed a club trophy committee charged with conducting the first award presentation at the conclusion of the 1935 football season. In 1936, following the death of John W. Heisman, the Downtown Athletic Club trophy renamed the award the Heisman award.

On Saturday, December 12, 2009, University of Alabama student and running back Mark Ingram was elected as the 75th winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy as the most outstanding college football player in the United States for 2009. This season, Mark rushed 249 times for 1,542 yards with 15 touchdowns, while catching 30 passes for 322 yards, leading Alabama to an undefeated regular season and a number one national ranking.

Mark was named the AP Offensive Player of the Year as well as the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and his rushing total established a single season record at Alabama. Mark has been recognized as a superior college football player, but his team and coaches also deserve recognition. Ingram is the University of Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner.

The team's head coach, Nick Saban, and all Alabama fans share in Ingram's excitement. On January 7, led by Coach Saban, the University of Alabama football team enjoyed the perfect end to a perfect season, winning the BCS championship game against the University of Texas. Mark was recognized as offensive MVP of the national championship game, running 116 yards and scoring two touchdowns.

Just 6 months ago, Mark was a new starting running back, not the household name that he is today. Watching Mark deliver his humble and heartfelt acceptance speech gave us all insight into this outstanding young man and student athlete that Mark truly is. His dedication to the team and school as well as his hard work is the reason he received this exceptional award.

In his acceptance speech when he received the Heisman Trophy, he congratulated his offensive line, and I have a special connection there. I had a classmate from high school that I graduated with whose son was on the offensive line. I graduated with the young man's father. His mother is a friend of mine as well, and his family is a close friend of mine. His name is Barrett Jones. So we congratulate them. As any running back knows, that's why you win Heisman Trophies, because you have a great offensive line.

People that I know that are close to the University of Alabama football program talk about what an outstanding young man Mark Ingram is. He is not just great on the football field, but he is great on the campus. He represents the university well, and he represents Flint, Michigan, well by not just by being a great running back but by being a great person.

I extend my congratulations to Mark Ingram, to Head Coach Saban, to the players and the fans, to the University of Alabama; and I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) such time as he may consume.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to another gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bonner).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mark Ingram was an outstanding young man to watch. I watched most of the games he played on television, and actually had a chance to see the BCS game myself. He just seemed like an outstanding person. And like I said, the people whom I know who are close to the program--my in-laws live in Alabama--said this couldn't have happened to a better person. He is a person who exudes leadership on the football field, and I was told he is not just somebody that you want to just cheer for, but somebody who you want to be around. That says a lot for him.

I urge the passage of this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 970) congratulating Flint native, University of Alabama sophomore, and running back Mark Ingram on winning the 2009 Heisman Trophy and honoring both his athletic and academic achievements.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 970 into the Record.

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

I rise today in support of House Resolution 970, honoring Mark Ingram, 2009 Heisman Trophy winner and pride of my hometown, Flint, Michigan.

Madam Speaker, with an unemployment rate of close to 30 percent, Flint has been going through some tough times. Our young people need a role model they can look up to, someone who can show them that through hard work and perseverance their dreams are within reach and that greatness can be achieved.

Madam Speaker, Mark Ingram is that inspiration for our community. Since he began his football career in Grand Blanc Community High School and Flint Southwestern Academy where he was a 4-year starter and distinguished himself as a running back and a cornerback, he has continuously excelled.

This season, Mark broke the University of Alabama single season rushing record with 1,542 yards, was named the Southeastern Conference offensive player of the year, scored 18 touchdowns and finished one season with 322 receiving yards. He led his team to the SEC championship, rushing for 113 yards and scoring three touchdowns in the championship game.

He is the first Heisman winner from the University of Alabama and only the third sophomore in history to win the Heisman Trophy. Just last Thursday, Mark led the Alabama Crimson Tide to the national championship and was named the game's offensive most valuable player.

Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Mark is a dean's list student at the University of Alabama where he is pursuing a degree in communications.

Madam Speaker, I introduced H. Res. 970 to congratulate Mark on all his remarkable achievements, and I am pleased to call Mark Ingram the pride of Flint. I urge immediate passage of this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

First of all, I would like to thank the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) for recognizing the ability and the character of Mr. Ingram. We are very proud of him in Flint, Michigan, and we are so happy that Alabama can share our pride.

I thank you for your kind words.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Bonner for his kind remarks.

What is exciting to me is that Mark Ingram's family back in Flint is watching this live right now. Alabama is proud of him; Michigan is proud of him; and he makes this whole Nation proud of him. His depth of decency really sets an example for all of us.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I want to personally thank Mr. Kildee on behalf of Alabama fans all across the Nation for bringing this important resolution to the House floor today.

Mark Ingram is an exceptional athlete. As my colleagues have noted, he won the Heisman Trophy for the first time in the history of the University of Alabama to bring this honor and distinction to our storied and beloved university. But Mark Ingram is also an outstanding young man. I know the people of Michigan, and especially the people of Flint, are proud of what he has accomplished. But people all across America, especially young people, as we look to so many athletes and actors and politicians who sometimes disappoint us, here you have a young man, 19 years old, who on the night that he received the highest athletic award that can be bestowed upon a college football player, stood with tears in his eyes and proudly thanked God, thanked his family, thanked even his teachers, the professors at the University of Alabama for helping to give him this opportunity. He thanked, as my friend from Kentucky said, the offensive line and the quarterback and the others who helped make this not just an individual award but a team award.

As I think about my own children, my 14-year-old daughter, Lee, and my 11-year-old son, Robins, I like to know there are young role models like Mark Ingram out there for children all across America to be proud of and to look up to.

Yes, Mark Ingram is a tremendous athlete. And as my colleagues have already noted, he has already set the single season rushing record at the University of Alabama, and when you think about the great names who have played running back--Johnny Musso, Shaun Alexander, and Bobby Humphrey--that is saying a lot. But Mark Ingram is also a dean's list student. My sister, Judy, is the provost at the University of Alabama, the chief academic officer, and she says that the faculty at the university look at Mark with awe at what he does not only on the athletic field but in the classroom as well. He is a dean's list student, and he is certainly setting the highest standard of any student at the University of Alabama.

So it goes without saying, Madam Speaker, that we are all proud, the people of Michigan, the people of Alabama, and people all across this country, that a young man can come to the University of Alabama, someone who didn't even know if he would be starting at the running back position at the beginning of the year, and contribute to his team to win the 13th National Championship and the first ever Heisman Trophy.

We are proud of Mark Ingram, and I thank the gentleman from Michigan and the gentleman from Kentucky for allowing all of us to pause for just a moment and say: We salute you, Mark, we are proud of you, and we know you have a great future in front of you.