2008 -- S 2176 ======= LC01310 ======= STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2008 ____________ S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N CONGRATULATING THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS ON THEIR OUTSTANDING SEASON AND WISHING THEM CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE SUPER BOWL Introduced By: Senators Jabour, J Montalbano, Perry, Connors, and Bates Date Introduced: January 31, 2008 Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration 1 WHEREAS, The New England Patriots are one game away from completing the first 2 perfect season in the history of the National Football League since the Miami Dolphins 3 accomplished the same feat in the 1972 season. However, the Patriots have played a much more 4 difficult schedule than the Dolphins did in 1972 and will have played two more games in their 5 quest to finish 19-0; and 6 WHEREAS, The Patriots are led by quarterback Tom Brady, who this year added to his 7 legendary Hall of Fame career feats by breaking Peyton Manning's 2004 record of 49 touchdown 8 passes when he threw his 50th touchdown pass in the last regular season game against the New 9 York Giants. Another record breaker for the Patriots was Wide Receiver Randy Moss who caught 10 an NFL record 23 touchdown passes in 2007, breaking Jerry Rice's old record of 22 touchdown 11 receptions in a season; and 12 WHEREAS, The New England Patriots scored 589 points in the 2007 NFL season, 13 breaking the NFL record. In addition to Brady and Moss, New England's offense has been led by 14 a superb offensive line, stellar receiving threats in Tight End Ben Watson and Receivers Wes 15 Welker, Donte Stallworth, and Jabar Gaffney, and the tough running and pass catching by 16 Running Backs Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk; and 17 WHEREAS, New England's veteran defense has consistently stopped the opposition from 18 making big plays all season. Linebackers Junior Seau and Teddy Bruschi play the run and pass 19 equally well and can be counted on to make big plays under pressure. Assante Samuel is a 1 lockdown Cornerback capable of shutting down the opposition's best receiver, and defensive 2 linemen Vince Wilfork and Richard Seymore are excellent run stoppers and pass rushers; and 3 WHEREAS, The New England Patriots are one victory away from compiling the greatest 4 season in NFL history and winning their fourth Super Bowl in seven years. Led by Coach Bill 5 Belichick, one of the greatest coaches in the history of pro football, the Patriots are re-writing the 6 record books, and in the midst of one of the greatest championship runs and dynasties in the 7 history of professional sports; now, therefore be it 8 RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 9 hereby congratulates the New England Patriots and owner Bob Kraft for their magnificent 10 accomplishments so far this season, and we wish them continued success against the New York 11 Giants this Sunday in Super Bowl XLII; now, therefore be it 12 RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to 13 transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft. ======= LC01310 ======= 2 .