[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 9] [Senate] [Page 12381] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS ______ SENATE RESOLUTION 575--CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BASEBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2010 NCAA DIVISION I BASEBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Mr. GRAHAM (for himself and Mr. DeMint) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary: S. Res. 575 Whereas on June 29, 2010, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks won the 2010 NCAA College World Series with a 2-to- 1 victory over the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska; Whereas the University of South Carolina baseball team has secured the University's first national championship in men's athletics since the founding of the institution in 1801; Whereas the University of South Carolina baseball team won six straight games to win the national championship in the ninth appearance of the team at the College World Series; Whereas the University of South Carolina Gamecocks won the final College World Series hosted at the historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium, which has hosted the College World Series since 1950; Whereas Head Coach Ray Tanner has won his first national title as Head Coach in his fourteenth season at the University of South Carolina; Whereas outfielder Jackie Bradley, Jr. was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2010 College World Series; Whereas first baseman Christian Walker, outfielder Jackie Bradley, Jr., outfielder Evan Marzilli, and designated hitter Brady Thomas were named to the 2010 College World Series All- Tournament Team; Whereas the State of South Carolina was proud to send two home teams, the University of South Carolina and Clemson University, to the 2010 College World Series; and Whereas the University of South Carolina Gamecocks baseball team is the 2010 National Champion: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) commends that University of South Carolina Gamecocks for winning the 2010 NCAA College World Series; (2) recognizes the achievement and dedication of all players, coaches, and support staff who made winning the national championship possible; (3) congratulates the citizens of South Carolina, the University of South Carolina, and Carolina Gamecock fans everywhere; and (4) requests that the Secretary of the Senate submit an enrolled copy of this resolution to-- (A) Dr. Harris Pastides, President of the University of South Carolina; (B) Eric Hyman, Director of Athletics at the University of South Carolina; and (C) Ray Tanner, Head Coach of the University of South Carolina baseball team. Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise to celebrate tonight that last night the University of South Carolina won the College World Series. I never thought I would live long enough to hear myself say that. I have been a Gamecocks fan since high school. I went to the University of South Carolina, and there is no group of people who loves sports and their university more than the University of South Carolina, but we have been a long-suffering group. We have been waiting for next year every year I can remember, and we have knocked on the door and the door has never opened. But this group of young men and Coach Tanner of the University of South Carolina baseball team were down and out, one strike away from elimination, lost the first game, and made it all the way through to beat great teams such as Clemson. Last night's game, if you watched it--it was over about 12:30--was a nail-biter. It was probably the best example of college baseball I have ever seen, amateur athletics. And what a fitting tribute to Rosenblatt Stadium for that to be the last game. It was a well-played game. To the opponents at UCLA, I know your heart was broken, but you acquitted yourself well. I rise on behalf of the University of South Carolina, my alma mater, and the State of South Carolina to let people in South Carolina and throughout the country know that we finally did it, that this group of young men pitched incredibly well, had timely hits, and never gave up. It was about a lot more than baseball to the people in South Carolina. To those who have been following Gamecock sports, there is the legend of the chicken curse, that our mascot is a gamecock fighting chicken and we have been cursed because of that. I am here to tell you on the Senate floor tonight that the chicken curse is over. Long live the Gamecock Nation. To my friends at Clemson--I live 5 miles away from the baseball stadium at Clemson University--your day is coming. It won't be long before I will be able to take this floor and celebrate Clemson University's winning of the College World Series. Upon the passing of Robert C. Byrd, this body and this country has lost a great public servant. To the people of South Carolina, we have something to be proud of. As we go into the holiday season--the July 4th holiday is right around the corner--let's remember what it is all about: the birth of our Nation. I will be going to Afghanistan and Iraq, having the Fourth of July celebration with our troops. I ask every American to keep them in their prayers because what we are going to do on the Fourth of July, being with our family and friends, is only made possible because of their sacrifice. Mr. President, I wish you and your family a great holiday. ____________________