S668 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 17, 2007 Dr. King to the esteemed place he occu- sider legislation that unites us all as made significant contributions on all pies today. Americans. Our Nation must remain three plays. Brenchin ended the game Perhaps Dr. King’s most enduring ‘‘one Nation, under God, indivisible, with two interceptions and recovered virtue was his hope. It surely was on with liberty and justice for all’’—‘‘not the fumble in the end zone as NW Mis- display when he delivered his most fa- many Nations, divided by race, with souri St. attempted to tie or win the mous oration. In 1963, on the steps of special privileges for some.’’ Here are game. Overall, the Grand Valley de- the Lincoln Memorial, gazing out at four reasons this bill should be stopped fense was too much for NW Missouri the Washington Monument and beyond in its tracks: 1. It would create a new, St. to overcome, and, the Laker of- to the Capitol, he delivered his ‘‘I Have sovereign government within our bor- fense, under Finnerty’s direction had a Dream’’ speech, which is familiar to ders. 2. As noted by the U.S. Civil more than enough weapons to stifle the all Americans. Rights Commission, the bill ‘‘would opposing defense. As Dr. King looked upon these im- discriminate on the basis of race or na- I am proud to recognize the Grand pressive symbols of America, he re- tional origin.’’ 3. The bill is really Valley State football team for their re- flected upon the glaring shortcoming of about transferring control over ‘‘land’’ markable achievements on the field our democracy. For all its successes, and ‘‘other assets’’ to this new, race- this year. They have proven that hard America had failed to realize the truth based government. 4. Native Hawaiians work, dedication and commitment can put forth in our Declaration of Inde- are not just ‘‘another Indian tribe’’ produce great results. The members of pendence: ‘‘that all men are created since they do not meet the require- the team should be proud of their ef- equal.’’ Amid these monuments to the ments under current law of being sov- forts and should savor their recent suc- promise of America, he told hundreds ereign for the last 100 years, living as a cess. They have been a tremendous of thousands of the Nation’s greatest separate and distinct community, and source of inspiration for both the injustice: racial inequality. Yet he still having a preexisting political organiza- Grand Valley State community and the maintained hope, speaking in terms tion. entire State of Michigan. dreams and freedom. I hope my colleagues will join me in Each member of the Grand Valley In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson opposing this dangerous piece of legis- State team, including Anthony Adams, signed the Civil Rights Act, and the lation. Sam Allen, Matt Bakker, Lyle Banks, Brandon Barnes, Ryan Bass, Matt Voting Rights Act became law the fol- f lowing year. Despite these legislative Beaty, Nate Beebe, P.J. Beuke, Chad gains, Dr. King realized that achieving GRAND VALLEY STATE Biggar, Scott Blasko, Cameron equality of opportunity required some- UNIVERSITY LAKERS Bradfield, Bill Brechin, Drew Burton, thing much greater, and far more dif- Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I would Tory Buter, Samad Cain, Robert Car- ficult, than mere legislation. It re- like to congratulate the Grand Valley lisle, , Tony Carr, Tony quired a change in the hearts and State Lakers on winning the 2006 Divi- Carreri, Kirk Carruth, , minds of citizens. sion II National Championship. Grand Mark Catlin, Carlos Clark, Aaron Despite this challenge, his optimism Valley completed a highly entertaining Conti, Greg Copeland, Mendalson Cov- did not waver. In 1967, he appeared on and rewarding season on December 16, ington, Anthony Crump, Joe Davis, ‘‘Meet the Press’’ where he was asked if 2006, when they defeated Northwest Corey Edwards, Jeremy Ehinger, Billy he believed ‘‘the American racial prob- Missouri State 17–14 in the champion- Eisenhardt, Ian Evans, Eric Ewing, lem can be solved.’’ ship game. This victory is a great Gary Fant, Chris Favors, Cullen ‘‘Yes, I do,’’ he replied. ‘‘I refuse to source of pride for all those affiliated Finnerty, Matt Flutur, Dan Foster, give up. I refuse to despair it in this with Grand Valley State University , Preston Garris, Ryan moment. I refuse to allow myself to and for the State of Michigan. Gaydosh, Alex Gilde, Brennen Blass, fall into the dark chambers of pes- It was a record breaking year on John Godush, Maurice Gore, Mike simism, because I think in any social many fronts for the Grand Valley State Graham, D.D. Hardy, James Hardy, revolution, the one thing that keeps it Football team. This victory was the Brett Harris, Jacob Henige, Brett going is hope.’’ culmination of a perfect 15–0 season for Hines, Drew Hinkle, Tyler Holtz, Nick King’s hope survived him, and today the Lakers. Under the guidance of Hopkins, Brad Hull, Brad Iciek, Jay we are closer to the world that he envi- Coach Chuck Martin, Grand Valley Jandasek, Nate John, Blake Johncock, sioned. State won their fourth Division II Derrick Jones, Sam Jones, Zach Jones, We honor historical figures not mere- Championship in the last 5 years. Dur- Lamar Keith, Mike Koster, Buster ly because they achieved or said great ing this time, the Lakers have become Larkins, Mike Leiffers, Astin Martin, things. We honor them because their a powerhouse in Division II football John Matthews, Nick McDonald, Mike lives continue to offer insight that we and have a .709 winning percentage. McFadden, Jacob McGuckin, Byron might use to improve our world. Since 1999, they have an extraordinary Miles, David Misiewicz, Terry Mitchell, ‘‘[T]he goal of America is freedom,’’ 86–9 record, which is the second highest Jaquon Morrison, Mike Mukuna, Frank he wrote as he sat in a Birmingham, in all of . Moreover, Mulder, Jordan Munson, Doug AL, jail cell. Only a man with great quarterback became Neumeyer, Courtney Partee, Denny hope and faith in the triumph of good the most prolific offensive player in Pittman, Justin Pollock, Danny Rich- could write those words in those cir- college football history this year. In ard, Chad Richardson, Sean Roland, cumstances. It is with similar hope his 4-year career, Finnerty amassed a Matt Russell, Brandon Ryan, Mike that we as Americans should proceed 51–4 record and led the Lakers to three Scherpenberg, Felix Sharpe, Dan today, whatever the challenges that national championships. As quarter- Skuta, Blake Smolen, Chad Somer- confront us. back of the Lakers, Finnerty finished ville, Derek Stansbery, Bretty f his career with over 10,000 total yards, Stengele, Sean Stevens, Alex including over 2,000 yards rushing. Szarenski, Joey Teague, Bryan Thom- NATIVE HAWAIIAN The championship game provided its as, Tony Thompson, Jacob Topp, Lance REORGANIZATION ACT share of excitement. The thousands of Travis, Antoine Trent, Justin Trumble, Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, GVSU fans and supporters who made Justin Ulberg, Justin Victor, Matt today the Senator from Hawaii, Mr. the trip from the campus in Allendale Wade, John Wasmund, Collin Williams, AKAKA, reintroduced the Native Hawai- to the stadium in Florence, AL, were Justin Winsor, Joe Wohlscheid, and ian Reorganization Act, a bill that not disappointed with the result. It James Wojiechowski, made meaningful would create a new, race-based govern- proved to be a hard fought contest be- contributions to the success of the ment within the borders of the United tween two great teams. Grand Valley football team and proved once again States. I strongly oppose this bill. This State eventually forced three crucial the strength of teamwork and commit- legislation was considered and rejected turnovers in the game, which included ment. by the Senate last year; we ought not a NW Missouri St. fumble in the Grand I know my colleagues in the Senate waste one moment of the Senate’s time Valley end zone late in the fourth quar- join me in congratulating Coach Mar- on it this year. Instead, we should con- ter. Junior cornerback Bill Brenchin tin and the 2006 Grand Valley State

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