2004 -- S 2036 ======LC00483 ======STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2004 ______

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE ON WINNING THE CONFERENCE EASTERN DIVISION

Introduced By: Senator John A. Celona

Date Introduced: January 08, 2004

Referred To: Senate read and passed

1 WHEREAS, Before the 2003 NFL Season began, most of the "experts and

2 prognosticators" were predicting that the New England Patriots would finish second or third in

3 their division and attain a record of somewhere close to 8-8; and

4 WHEREAS, Instead, the New England Patriots shocked at the football world and

5 compiled a 14-2 record, the best in the NFL. Not only did the Patriots win the AFC East division

6 but their best in the NFL record of 14-2 gives them home field advantage throughout the AFC

7 playoffs; and

8 WHEREAS, Once again the Patriots were led by the superb coaching and leadership of

9 Bill Belichek, the steady and clutch performance of , a superb defense led

10 by defensive end Willie McGinest, cornerback and Ted Bruschi, and the timely kicking

11 of Adam Vinitieri; and

12 WHEREAS, In a season of so many thrilling moments and games perhaps no game

13 stands out like the game New England played at Indianapolis on November 30, 2003. With a

14 chance to take a commanding lead in the divisional race and the race for best record in the

15 conference and league, New England had a 38-34 lead late in the game but Indianapolis had the

16 ball inside the Patriot's 5 yard line with less than a minute to go. On 4th down defensive end

17 Willie McGinest made a spectacular play charging from the corner and stuffed the Colts running

18 back short of the end zone thereby winning the game for New England; now, therefore be it

19 RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 1 hereby congratulates the New England Patriots on winning the American Football Conference

2 Eastern Division and wishes them continued success in the NFL playoffs; and be it further

3 RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

4 transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to New England Patriots Head Coach Bill

5 Belichek.

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