BoldGrace

House Resolution 938

MSNsportsNET.com
January 28, 2008

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives Monday passed a resolution introduced by Congressman Alan B. Mollohan that honors and commends the West Virginia University Mountaineer Football team for its landmark victory in the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

Mollohan said the team’s impressive fight against the odds to emerge victorious from the bowl game with a national television audience was worthy of significant recognition. The resolution, H.Res. 938, reads:

Whereas the West Virginia University Mountaineer football team won the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, defeating the University of Oklahoma Sooners by a score of 48 to 28 in Glendale, Arizona, on January 2, 2008;

Whereas the Mountaineer football team has been a source of great pride for West Virginians throughout the years;

Whereas the people of West Virginia take their team’s triumphs and setbacks as their own in times of hardship and in times of prosperity;

Whereas the Mountaineers displayed uncommon intensity and determination in preparing for the challenge of meeting one of the best teams in the country in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl;

Whereas the Mountaineers executed an almost flawless game;

Whereas then-Assistant Coach Bill Stewart demonstrated true leadership and coaching skill by filling an unexpected coaching void, instilling confidence in his team and leading them to victory, thereby earning the admiration and gratitude of his fellow West Virginians;

Whereas the Fiesta Bowl Most Valuable Player on offense, Mountaineer quarterback Pat White, gave a brilliant running and passing performance that inspired his teammates, delighted his fans, and frustrated his opponents;

Whereas the Fiesta Bowl Most Valuable Player on defense, Mountaineer linebacker and native West Virginian Reed Williams, led his teammates in an outstanding defensive performance;

Whereas Mountaineer Senior fullback Owen Schmitt, through his steady play and gracious post-game words of victory, displayed the best qualities of team play and sportsmanship;

Whereas Mountaineer receiver Tito Gonzales demonstrated outstanding play with a 79-yard touchdown pass and showed a national television audience how important Mountaineer success was to his team and his state;

Whereas Mountaineer Freshman tailback Noel Devine gave a spirited and skillful performance worthy of his injured teammate and mentor, record-breaking tailback Steve Slaton;

Whereas the Mountaineers’ offensive line dominated the battle in the trenches, making possible the outstanding performances of White, Devine, Schmitt, receiver Darius Reynaud, kicker Pat McAfee and the other offensive stars of the day;

Whereas the Mountaineers’ attacking defense contained one of the best teams in the nation and forced the Sooner offense to yield the field time and again;

Whereas the Mountaineers finished among the top ten football rankings for three years in a row;

Whereas Mountaineer Athletic Director Ed Pastilong has instilled in the Athletic Department the highest standards of ethics and performance throughout his many years of leadership;

Whereas the Mountaineers and their new Head Coach Bill Stewart have brought great honor to themselves, their University and the State of West Virginia: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives–

(1) Congratulates the West Virginia University Mountaineer football team for winning the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl; and

(2) Commends the team for demonstrating throughout the season the best qualities of teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship.