•HRES 938 IH 
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 tri-
umphs 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 Fi-
esta 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 lead-
ing 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-
ning and passing performance that inspired his team-
mates, 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 sportsman-
ship; 
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•HRES 938 IH 
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 bat-
tle in the trenches, making possible the outstanding per-
formances of White, Devine, Schmitt, receiver Darius 
Reynaud, kicker Pat McAfee, and the other offensive 
stars of the day; 
Whereas the Mountaineers’ attacking defense contained one 
of the best teams in the Nation and forced the Sooner 
offense to yield the field time and again; 
Whereas the Mountaineers finished among the top 10 in col-
lege football rankings for 3 years in a row; 
Whereas Mountaineer athletic director Ed Pastilong has in-
stilled in the athletic department of West Virginia Uni-
versity the highest standards of ethics and performance 
throughout his many years of leadership; and 
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, there-
fore, 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 
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•HRES 938 IH 
(2) commends the team for demonstrating 
throughout the season the best qualities of team-
work, dedication, and sportsmanship. 
Æ 
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