H. Res. 938 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

January 28, 2008. 

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 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, 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 run-
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•HRES 938 EH 

ning 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 forced the 

Sooner offense to yield the field time and again; 

Whereas the Mountaineers finished among the top 10 in college football rankings for 3 years in a row; 

Whereas Mountaineer athletic director Ed Pastilong has instilled in the athletic department of West Virginia University the highest standards of ethics and performance 

throughout his many years of leadership; and 
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•HRES 938 EH 

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. 

Attest: 

Clerk.