[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1080 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1080

  Congratulating the New Orleans Saints upon their winning Super Bowl 
                                 XLIV.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 9, 2010

  Mr. Scalise (for himself, Mr. Cao, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. 
   Fleming, Mr. Boustany, Mr. Roskam, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Sessions, Mr. 
 Bonner, Mr. Griffith, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Barton of Texas, Mr. Shimkus, 
  Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Terry, Mr. Whitfield, Mr. Melancon, and Mrs. Bono 
  Mack) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
              Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Congratulating the New Orleans Saints upon their winning Super Bowl 
                                 XLIV.

Whereas, on February 7, 2010, in Miami, Florida, the New Orleans Saints defeated 
        the Indianapolis Colts to win Super Bowl XLIV;
Whereas the Saints' 31-17 victory over the Colts was the Saints' first NFL 
        Championship in franchise history, and capped a 16-3 season that 
        included 13 consecutive wins;
Whereas Saints owner Tom Benson and his family have exhibited a strong 
        commitment to the Saints organization, the city of New Orleans, and the 
        State of Louisiana, and have assembled an impressive team of coaches, 
        players, and staff that made achieving the Super Bowl victory possible;
Whereas Saints head coach Sean Payton is to be congratulated for leading the 
        Saints to a Super Bowl win in only his fourth season as the head coach 
        and for being named Sporting News' 2009 NFL Coach of the Year for the 
        second time in four seasons;
Whereas the ``Who Dat Nation'', the greatest group of fans in professional 
        sports, is to be honored for proudly standing by its team, never 
        wavering in its support of the New Orleans Saints, and making the 
        Louisiana Superdome the loudest and most difficult stadium for opposing 
        teams;
Whereas Saints quarterback Drew Brees was named the Most Valuable Player in 
        Super Bowl XLIV for his record-tying 32 completions out of 39 attempts, 
        282 passing yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions;
Whereas Saints cornerback Tracy Porter intercepted a pass and returned it 74 
        yards for a game-clinching touchdown;
Whereas offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael orchestrated an offensive unit, 
        including starters Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Jermon Bushrod, Marques 
        Colston, Jahri Evans, Jonathan Goodwin, Devery Henderson, Carl Nicks, 
        Jeremy Shockey, John Stinchcomb, and Pierre Thomas, that finished the 
        regular season as the number-one offense in the NFL, and also ranked 
        first in points per game, yards per game, touchdowns, and total points 
        scored;
Whereas defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' creativity and leadership guided 
        the Saints defense, including starters Remi Ayodele, Sedrick Ellis, 
        Scott Fujita, Jabari Greer, Roman Harper, Bobby McCray, Tracy Porter, 
        Scott Shanle, Darren Sharper, Will Smith, and Jonathan Vilma, that led 
        the team to unprecedented success;
Whereas Drew Brees finished the 2009 season as the number-one-ranked passer in 
        the NFL with a quarterback rating of 109.6;
Whereas the Saints had seven players, Drew Brees, Jahri Evans, Jonathon Goodwin, 
        Roman Harper, Darren Sharper, Jonathan Stinchcomb, and Jonathan Vilma, 
        selected to participate in the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl;
Whereas guard Jahri Evans and safety Darren Sharper were named to the Associated 
        Press 2009 NFL All-Pro Team;
Whereas the Saints organization must be commended for the support they have 
        shown to the city and State they call home;
Whereas following Hurricane Katrina, the Saints set up a relief fund that 
        provided much-needed resources to charities around Southeast Louisiana 
        and made a commitment to return to New Orleans after not being able to 
        play a single game in the city during the 2005 season;
Whereas following Hurricane Katrina, the Saints gave the people of Southeast 
        Louisiana hope that their way of life was slowly returning to normal, 
        and provided a much-needed boost and distraction from the difficult 
        recovery process;
Whereas Saints owner Tom Benson, his wife Gayle, and his granddaughter and 
        Saints owner and Executive Vice President Rita Benson-LeBlanc, have 
        dedicated countless hours and resources to helping the people of 
        Southeast Louisiana;
Whereas in 2008, the Volunteers of America recognized Tom Benson as the 
        recipient of its annual Good Samaritan Award in Philanthropy in 
        recognition of his ``incomparable efforts to rebuild the region 
        following Hurricane Katrina'';
Whereas the Saints players have become actively engaged in the New Orleans area 
        and have forged the strongest bond between players and their fans that 
        exists in all of sports;
Whereas the Saints have galvanized and inspired the people of Louisiana and all 
        members of the ``Who Dat Nation'' during their historic championship 
        season;
Whereas since their founding in 1967 and throughout their history, the Saints 
        have been an iconic symbol for the people of New Orleans and the Gulf 
        South, exhibiting the same commitment and resolve in overcoming 
        adversity and achieving success; and
Whereas the entire Saints franchise has become a model of professionalism, 
        goodwill, and community service in representing the City of New Orleans 
        and the State of Louisiana and brings pride to Saints fans everywhere: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates--
                    (A) the New Orleans Saints for winning Super Bowl 
                XLIV;
                    (B) the Benson family and the Saints coaching and 
                support staff, whose commitment to the Saints 
                organization has sustained this proud organization and 
                allowed the team to achieve its first Super Bowl 
                victory;
                    (C) all members of the ``Who Dat Nation'', whose 
                enthusiasm for the team earns them recognition as one 
                of the most loyal fan bases in all sports;
                    (D) the State of Louisiana, whose commitment to the 
                Saints helped ensure the team's success; and
                    (E) the Indianapolis Colts, led by New Orleans-
                native Peyton Manning, for an outstanding season; and
            (2) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
        make available enrolled copies of this resolution to the New 
        Orleans Saints for appropriate display and distribution to the 
        ownership, coaches, and members of the 2009-2010 New Orleans 
        Saints.
                                 <all>