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 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-
•HRES 938 EH 
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; 
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 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
•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, 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 
(2) commends the team for demonstrating through-
out the season the best qualities of teamwork, dedica-
tion, and sportsmanship. 
Attest: 
Clerk.