Mr. President, I am on the floor of the U.S. Senate today to congratulate and to commend the University of Kansas men's basketball team on its national championship victory. This is KU's fourth NCAA…
Mr. President, I am on the floor of the U.S. Senate today to congratulate and to commend the University of Kansas men's basketball team on its national championship victory. This is KU's fourth NCAA national championship title, the second under the tenure of Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Self.
The University of Kansas's men's basketball program boasts a storied history and track record of excellence and success, and the inventor of the game of basketball, Dr. James Naismith, served as the program's first coach.
KU can also now boast having the most NCAA victories of any Division I basketball program in the country in addition to now four--four--NCAA championships.
It is moments like this that Kansans remember forever. Whether you are watching the game from your living room, on the jumbotron at Allen Fieldhouse, or from your favorite hangout on Mass Street, 10, 20, 30 years from now, Kansans from across the country will remember where they were on April 4, 2022, when KU clinched the national title in a nail-biting game against North Carolina's Tar Heels.
It was the KU men's basketball team that inspired me to go to the University of Kansas when I was in high school. I am a first-generation college graduate, and the University of Kansas was probably not the place that most of my peers and friends from my small town in Northwest Kansas went to. But, no, it wasn't because I was recruited to play basketball for the basketball team; it was that I had the opportunity to attend on my first visit to the University of Kansas a basketball game in Allen Fieldhouse. From that one game, I knew this was where I wanted to go to college. The energy and excitement of KU basketball inspired me, encouraged me, caused me to wonder--and I think it is true of countless others, to decide they wanted to be a Jayhawk.
On Monday night, KU rallied to overcome a deficit of 15 points at halftime to beat North Carolina 72 to 69--the largest comeback in an NCAA basketball national championship game. I am not sure what Coach Bill Self--but I am going to ask him--I am not sure what Coach Self said to his players in the locker room during that halftime, but in true Kansas fashion, the KU Jayhawks came back and beat the odds to clinch the championship. The team showed tremendous heart, determination, and resolve in that comeback victory.
KU's Ochai Agbaji scored 12 points and was named ``Most Outstanding Player'' of the Final Four.
Kansas forward David McCormack scored 15 points and had 10 rebounds and made 2 critical baskets late in the game.
Kansas forward Jalen Wilson scored 15 points and had 4 rebounds.
Kansas guard Remy Martin contributed 14 points to help the Jayhawks secure the title.
Kansas guard Christian Braun of Burlington, KS--a smalltown, middle- of-the-State native--scored 12 points and had 12 rebounds, demonstrating to other smalltown athletes like him that they, too, could be a star in the Nation's biggest tournament in college basketball.
Jordan Juenemann, a former walk-on for the Jayhawks men's basketball team from my hometown of Hays, noted that this 2022 championship team might not be the best according to the stats, but they played like a team. They care about the game, and they care about each other. Only a team that sees the glass half full could come back after being down 16 points and clinch the victory. This speaks to the team's perseverance and belief in themselves.
Coach Keith Riley, a basketball coach from Hill City, KS, in the western part of our State--I visited with him the other day, and he pointed out to me the lesson that kids around the State will take away from Monday night: You may not always have all of the best players on the court at the same time, and you may not have all the talent that is out there on that court, but you can still find ways to be successful because of how hard you work.
My guess is that kids, ever since Monday, back home in Kansas and maybe across the country, are in their driveway, they are at the school basketball court, and they are shooting free throws or 3-point shots one after another. It inspires us to know that we can do more, and the University of Kansas basketball team is inspiring kids today to go out and work harder.
I commend these players and the entire Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team, as well as the coaches and staff, for their hard work which culminated in this victory.
While these young men on the team may be known for their talent on the court, many should be recognized for the adversity they faced off court. Dajuan Harris, KU's point guard, has overcome tremendous loss in his 21 years. He lost both his father and his brother just a few years apart, and Sunday night, he came out and he played for them.
These young men came to college to play some great basketball, but along the way, they are learning how to give back to their community. At Christmastime, this team goes to the local Walmart and purchases Christmas presents for families who might be facing financial hardship. They learn the important lesson of giving back to their community.
Finally, to Coach Bill Self, I know you are probably still feeling that very deep loss--and maybe even more so on Monday night--of your father, who died just recently--Bill Self, Sr.--but you can be sure he is smiling down with pride on you and your whole team. You took his advice. He advised you:
Don't worry about the mules, just load the wagon.
As a graduate of the University of Kansas, as a Kansan, I share the excitement of Jayhawks fans across the world in Sunday night's stunning achievement, and I am pleased to introduce this resolution with Senator Marshall to honor this achievement.
To my fellow Jayhawks, ``Rock Chalk.''
Mr. President, I am pleased that on such a bipartisan basis, in cooperation between Republicans and Democrats--something I know Kansans and Americans don't see enough of--this resolution normally would take a few more days than it has taken to get to the U.S. Senate this week. I am pleased that both the Republican and Democrat leadership and their staff worked with us in cooperation to be able to commend the Jayhawks this early this week.
So, Mr. President, as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to consideration of S. Res. 578, which is at the desk.
With a neighboring Coloradan in the chair and a former part of the Big 12 Conference, Mr. President, I now ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
Thank you.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
