H. Res. 1079 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

March 4, 2010. 

Whereas, on February 7, 2010, the New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts by a score of 31 to 17 to 

win the National Football League (NFL) Championship; 

Whereas the Saints’ victory is the first championship in the 

franchise’s 43-year history; 

Whereas the 2009 season was the best in Saints franchise 

history, including an unprecedented 13-game winning 

streak; 

Whereas Saints owners Tom Benson and Rita Benson 

LeBlanc have invested in the success of the Saints and 

have been remarkable in revitalizing this storied franchise 

and promoting a strong and united New Orleans and 

Louisiana; 

Whereas Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis has been 

successful in building an outstanding team by drafting 

new players and signing key free agents; 

Whereas Doug Thornton, Senior Vice President of Stadiums 

and Arenas, helped the Saints return to New Orleans 

through his integral role in rebuilding the Superdome 

after Hurricane Katrina; 

Whereas Coach Sean Payton, with the help of Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams, Offensive Coordinator Pete 
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Carmichael, Jr., and all of the Saints’ coaching staff, led 

the team to its first National Football Conference (NFC) 

Championship and first ever Super Bowl victory through 

leadership and a winning philosophy; 

Whereas the Saints led the league with an average of 31.9 

points and 403.8 yards per game during the 2009 regular season; 

Whereas, in the 2009 regular season, the Saints eclipsed 

team records in most points and most touchdowns in a 

season and most interceptions returned for a touchdown 

in a game; 

Whereas Saints quarterback Drew Brees set an NFL record 

by completing 70.6 percent of his passes during the 2009 

regular season; 

Whereas Drew Brees, Darren Sharper, Jahri Evans, Jonathan Vilma, and John Stinchcomb of the Saints were 

named to the 2010 NFC Pro Bowl squad; 

Whereas Drew Brees was named the Most Valuable Player 

for Super Bowl XLIV; 

Whereas during Super Bowl XLIV— 

(1) the Saints accumulated a total of 332 yards; 

(2) quarterback Drew Brees passed for 288 yards, 

threw 2 touchdowns, and tied a Super Bowl record with 

32 pass completions; 

(3) Marques Colston led the Saints in receiving with 

7 catches for 83 yards; 

(4) Saints kicker Garrett Hartley set a Super Bowl 

record with 3 field goals of over 40 yards each; and 

(5) Thomas Morstead’s perfectly executed onside 

kick to start the second half and Tracy Porter’s 74-yard 

interception for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter 
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were integral in the Saints’ victory and will forever be remembered by the ‘‘Who Dat’’ faithful; 

Whereas Saints owner Tom Benson, during the Lombardi 

Trophy presentation at midfield, said ‘‘Louisiana, by the 

way of New Orleans, is back. And this shows the whole 

world. We’re back.’’; 

Whereas the Saints’ motto all year has been ‘‘Finish Strong’’; 

Whereas the Saints repeatedly have been called a beacon of 

hope for the city of New Orleans and a catalyst for recovery throughout Louisiana and the Gulf Coast Region; 

Whereas the Saints have positively influenced and lifted the 

morale of the people in New Orleans and throughout 

Louisiana and the Gulf Coast Region; 

Whereas the New Orleans Saints are headquartered in the 

1st Congressional District of Louisiana in Metairie, Louisiana; 

Whereas ESPN’s Wright Thompson in his article ‘‘Saints the 

Soul of America’s City’’ captured the essence and importance of the Saints to the city of New Orleans and noted 

the resilience of this year’s team by stating, ‘‘It’s perfect, 

isn’t it? The expansion team whose first roster was created from players unwanted by other teams has finally 

found success with a similar group.’’; and 

Whereas the 2009 Saints are evidence of what can be accomplished when self is set aside and a teamwork mentality 

is adopted by all of the players: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) congratulates the New Orleans Saints, the 

team’s coaches and players, and the loyal members of 
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the ‘‘Who Dat’’ Nation on winning Super Bowl XLIV; 

and 

(2) recognizes— 

(A) the New Orleans Saints as the soul of New 

Orleans; and 

(B) the significant contributions made by the 

team in the recovery efforts of New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Gulf Coast Region. 

Attest: 

Clerk.