February 2, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE 579 This was Coach Dick Vermeil’s third in the league in overall defense. This mitments from local businesses and in- year as head coach of the Rams. Coach season, the Rams’ defensive end, Kevin dividuals, helping to foster a true sense Vermeil previously led the Philadel- Carter, led the league with 17 quarter- of community. In addition, each year, phia Eagles to the Super Bowl in 1980, back sacks and earned his first start in players make countless appearances at but had been away from coaching for the Pro Bowl. After only 5 years in the local schools, hospitals and youth cen- almost 15 years. The passionate 63- league, this outstanding defender has ters to use their influence with chil- year-old coach showed he still had the developed a well-documented work dren to stress the importance of edu- stuff it takes to lead this team of stars ethic that has helped him achieve more cation and making proper choices in to the championship. The fans of pro- sacks over the past two seasons than life. fessional football have appropriately anyone else in the league. The hard work and dedication of the awarded Coach Vermeil by voting him We all know that to be champions re- Rams to their team and the people of the Staples Coach of the Year, the only quires a strong commitment to work the St. Louis metropolitan area de- NFL honor determined solely by a vote harder and be more disciplined than serves our highest commendations. So, of the fans. the rest. The Rams’ Super Bowl win is on behalf of myself and the good people The three-year path to glory began a credit to the extraordinary efforts by of my state of Illinois, I congratulate slowly, with 9 wins and 23 losses over the entire Rams’ organization. After Coach Dick Vermeil, Super Bowl Most the previous two seasons, including moving to St. Louis in 1995, the man- Valuable Player Kurt Warner, Marshall just 4 victories last season, but the agement went to work in hiring excel- Faulk, Isaac Bruce, and the entire St. team turned it around this year. While lent personnel and a committed coach- Louis Rams team on an outstanding the Rams were truly a team that ing staff. This season, the organiza- performance. played well together all year, this tri- tion’s slogan was aptly and accurately Coach Vermeil, players, and fans: umphant season can be attributed to versed: ‘‘Gotta go to work!’’ With the congratulations on a great season and ∑ the performance of several key players, whole organization working as one co- an outstanding victory. including six players that were chosen hesive unit and regularly working well f to start in the Pro Bowl. beyond the hours of 9 to 5, they showed CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ST. Kurt Warner, stepping in as the us just how much can be accomplished LOUIS RAMS starter after Trent Green was injured when everyone works together for a ∑ Mr. BOND. Mr. President, On Janu- in an early preseason game, enjoyed common goal and is committed to ary 30th, the St. Louis Rams faced the one of the best years ever for an NFL doing more than his or her fair share. Tennessee Titans in one of the most quarterback, throwing for 4,353 yards, We would be remiss if we overlooked spectacular Super Bowls ever. Both 41 touchdowns and only 13 intercep- another admirable quality of this fine teams played valiantly, and in the end, tions, a performance worthy of being organization, and that is the commit- the Rams were triumphant. awarded the NFL’s Most Valuable ment to the community. When the The Rams’ victory in Super Bowl Player and the Pro Bowl starting quar- Rams relocated to St. Louis in 1995, the XXXIV was the only fitting ending for terback. This remarkable individual, in team identified community involve- a season that one expects to find in a just his second season in the NFL, was ment as one of the top priorities. Since movie script. From day one, the Rams’ bagging groceries in Waterloo, Iowa, that time, many charitable organiza- motto was ‘‘Gotta Go To Work.’’ Em- just five years ago. While setting pass- tions have benefited from the time and bracing that attitude, the Rams posted ing and scoring records in the Arena resources of these big-hearted athletes, one of the best seasons ever. Quarter- Football League for 3 seasons and 1 as various Rams players have dedicated back Kurt Warner, the regular season season in the NFL Europe, he never dollars for every touchdown, intercep- and Super Bowl MVP, came from bag- gave up his dream of playing in the tion, field goal, sack and more. Some ging groceries and playing in the arena NFL. Last night, he helped to bring the examples of how these stars contribute football league to lead his team to the dream of a Super Bowl championship to the community include: most coveted prize in football. He be- home to St. Louis. 1. The defense live—donating $500 for came only the second man ever to Marshall Faulk, one of the league’s every quarterback sack to a local throw 40 or more touchdown passes in premier running backs, set an NFL homeless shelter. one season. Runningback Marshall record this season for combined rush- 2. Wide receive Isaac Bruce—donating Faulk set a new record for total yards ing and receiving yards from the line of $500 for every touchdown to from scrimmage. The offense scored 526 scrimmage in a single season with Edgewood’s Childhaven, an educational points, the third highest total ever. 2,429, in addition to scoring 12 touch- center for children with learning dis- Head Coach Dick Vermeil was named downs. He was also chosen to start in abilities. the NFL’s coach of the year. Six Rams the Pro Bowl. 3. Running back Marshall Faulk— were chosen to start in the Pro Bowl. All season long, the team benefited continuing the ‘‘Marshall Plan’’ that The team’s defense was top rated in the from a stellar group of talented receiv- began in Indianapolis by donating NFL against the run. ers, led by Isaac Bruce, who will join $2,000 for every touchdown that he Perhaps even more impressive than his teammates in the Pro Bowl; Torry scores to the Marshall Faulk Founda- the Rams’ regular season was their per- Holt; Az-zahir Hakim; and Ricky tion. formance in the Super Bowl. The Proehl. Proehl, you may remember, 4. Quarterback Trent Green—donat- Rams, living their slogan ‘‘Gotta Go To caught a clutch game-winning touch- ing $300 for every Rams passing touch- Work,’’ played like a team possessed. down in the closing minutes of the down to the Trent Green Family Foun- Warner set a new Super Bowl record Rams’ win last week over the Tampa dation. with 414 yards passing. Wide receiver Bay Buccaneers, while Bruce made a 5. Safety Keith Syle—donating $500 Isaac Bruce caught a 73-yard touch- truly spectacular play in the fourth for every interception to local literacy down pass. Wide receiver Torry Holt quarter of the Super Bowl by catching programs. set a rookie record with 7 catches for a 73 yard touchdown pass that sealed 6. Kicker Jeff Wilkins—donating $50 109 yards—and a touchdown. The de- the championship. These stars helped for every field goal to Cardinal fense, led by defensive end Kevin the Rams to establish early on that Glennon Children’s Hospital. Carter and linebacker London Fletch- they were an offensive-minded team, 7. Tight end Roland Williams—donat- er, never yielded for a moment. When scoring a total of 526 points this sea- ing $86 for every catch to the Roland their backs were up against the wall, son, the third-most in NFL history. Williams Youth Life Line Foundation linebacker Mike Jones heroically tack- But as the saying goes, ‘‘Defense which supports children in Roland’s led the Tennessee Titan’s wide receiver wins championships,’’ and the Rams hometown. Kevin Dyson to seal the victory. proved this adage, by leading the NFL Most of these players have also been My congratulations go out to the in rushing defense, and ranking sixth successful in receiving matching com- Rams players, the coaching staff, and VerDate jul 14 2003 11:22 Jul 30, 2004 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR00\S02FE0.002 S02FE0 580 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE February 2, 2000 the loyal St. Louis fans, who have sup- evidence; locating or identifying per- S. 1052, the Mariana Islands legislation, ported the Rams in anticipation of this sons or items; serving documents; and on Tuesday the Senate should moment. transferring persons in custody for tes- begin debate on the nuclear waste bill. The spirit of the St. Louis Rams pro- timony or other purposes; executing re- Senators can expect votes throughout vides an example for St. Louis, and all quests for searches and seizures; assist- next week’s session. of America, of how to live and work. I ing in proceedings related to immo- f commend Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce, bilization and forfeiture of assets, res- ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT Mike Jones and all of the Rams for the titution, and collection of fines; and sense of unity and pride they have any other form of assistance not pro- Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, if brought to St. Louis.∑ hibited by the laws of the Requested there is no further business to come be- fore the Senate, I ask unanimous con- f State.