IV

106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. RES. 481

Congratulating the Michigan State University men’s basketball team on

winning the 1999–2000 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 13, 2000

Ms. STABENOW submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the

Committee on Education and the Workforce

RESOLUTION

Congratulating the Michigan State University men’s basketball team on winning the 1999–2000 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.

Whereas the Michigan State Spartan basketball team capped

a 32–7 season by beating Florida 89–76 to win the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s National Basketball Championship on Monday, April 3,

2000;

Whereas founded in 1855, Michigan State University has a

rich history of providing educational opportunities to undergraduates of diverse interests, abilities, and backgrounds;

Whereas the addition of a second National Basketball title to

its world-class academic reputation underscores that
2

•HRES 481 IH

Michigan State University is one of the country’s finest

academic and athletic institutions;

Whereas all Michigan State University alumni watched with

pride as the Spartans claimed their rightful place as national champions, and the pride of East Lansing is now

the pride of Michigan and the whole country;

Whereas the players’ families, fans, and Michigan State’s

band and cheerleaders deserve recognition for their steadfast and vocal support;

Whereas there were great expectations in East Lansing last

November, as a senior led, national semifinal experienced

team prepared for the 1999–2000 campaign;

Whereas the Spartans were led all season by senior point

guard Mateen Cleaves, despite an injury that caused him

to miss the first 13 games of the season, and senior

swingman Morris ‘‘Mo Pete’’ Peterson, while getting

great play from senior forward A.J. Granger, junior

guard Charlie Bell, and junior center Andre Hutson;

Whereas the starters received strong support from Mike

Chappell, Al Anagoyne, Jason Richardson, Adam

Ballinger, David Thomas, Jason Andreas, Matt Ishbia,

Steve Cherry, Lorenzo Guess, Brandon Smith, and Adam

Wolfe, who not only contributed valuable minutes during

games, but pushed the starters hard in practice;

Whereas led by the great coaching of Tom Izzo, who is a native of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and has been on

the coaching staff at Michigan State University for 17

years, the Spartans completed Big Ten conference play

as cochampions, and won the Big Ten conference tournament in Chicago, earning the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region;
3

•HRES 481 IH

Whereas after easily dispatching Valparaiso University in the

first round, Michigan State played 3 tough games in a

row, coming back from deficits to defeat the University

of Utah, Syracuse University, and Iowa State University;

Whereas the Spartans defeated the University of Wisconsin

for the fourth time this season in their national semifinal

game, persevering against the slow, defensive-oriented

style of the Badgers, and advancing to face the young,

fast, and deep University of Florida Gators in the final;

Whereas the team again overcame an injury to Mateen

Cleaves in the championship game (he sprained his ankle

early in the second half) as well as the formidable Florida

full-court press defense to secure the title; and

Whereas the Michigan State Spartans Men’s Basketball program exemplifies what college athletics is supposed to be

by showcasing student athletes who excel on and off the

court and enjoy the university experience: Now, therefore,

be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives con2 gratulates the Michigan State University men’s basketball

3 team on winning the 1999–2000 NCAA Men’s Basketball

4 Championship.

Æ