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 basket-
ball team on winning the 1999–2000 NCAA Men’s Bas-
ketball Championship.
Whereas the Michigan State Spartan basketball team capped
a 32–7 season by beating Florida 89–76 to win the Na-
tional Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s Na-
tional Basketball Championship on Monday, April 3,
2000;
Whereas founded in 1855, Michigan State University has a
rich history of providing educational opportunities to un-
dergraduates of diverse interests, abilities, and back-
grounds;
Whereas the addition of a second National Basketball title to
its world-class academic reputation underscores that
•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 na-
tional 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 stead-
fast 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 na-
tive 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 tour-
nament in Chicago, earning the No. 1 seed in the Mid-
west Region;
•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 pro-
gram 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
Resolved, That the House of Representatives con-
gratulates the Michigan State University men’s basketball
team on winning the 1999–2000 NCAA Men’s Basketball
Championship.
Æ