Scalise Introduces Resolution Congratulating Super Bowl Champion Saints
Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Scalise today introduced a resolution congratulating the National Football League champion Saints for winning Super Bowl XLIV. Scalise’s resolution has more than 20 original co-sponsors including the entire Louisiana Congressional Delegation.
“The entire state is excited and proud that the Saints are Super Bowl champions. After all we've been through during the last four years, Tom Benson said it best when he stated this is not only a victory for the city of New Orleans, but the whole state of Louisiana and we’re back!” Scalise said. “The Saints fans are the best in the world and the Who Dat Nation couldn’t be more excited and proud. The entire Saints organization and their players have formed a unique bond with the fans that tops any other in the nation. Tom and Gayle Benson, Rita Benson LeBlanc, Coach Payton, Drew Brees and the entire team have been an integral part of our region's rebuilding after Katrina. I remember attending games with my dad at Tulane Stadium in those early years, and to finally bring the Lombardi Trophy home is such a thrilling experience for the entire New Orleans region.”
The Saints are headquartered in the first Congressional District and Congressman Scalise has represented them since 1996 during his time in the Louisiana State House of Representatives and the Louisiana State Senate. In 1999 Scalise worked on and voted for the lease that would keep the Saints in New Orleans. In 2006 as a member of the Louisiana House Appropriations Committee, Scalise supported the rebuilding of the Louisiana Superdome after Hurricane Katrina which helped ensure the Saints would stay in New Orleans.
A copy of the text of Scalise’s resolution is below:
RESOLUTION
Congratulating the New Orleans Saints on winning Super Bowl XLIV.
Whereas on February 7, 2010, in Miami, Florida, the New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts to win Super Bowl XLIV;
Whereas the Saints’ 31-17 victory over the Colts was the Saints’ first NFL Championship in franchise history;
Whereas the Saints went 16-3 over the 2009-2010 season, including thirteen consecutive wins to begin the season, to complete the most successful season in franchise history;
Whereas the Benson family has exhibited a strong commitment to the Saints organization, the city of New Orleans, and the State of Louisiana, and has assembled a tremendous team of coaches, players, and staff that made achieving the Super Bowl victory possible;
Whereas Head Coach Sean Payton is to be congratulated for leading the Saints to a Super Bowl win in only his fourth season as the head coach and for being named Sporting News’ 2009 NFL Coach of the Year for the second time in four seasons;
Whereas the “Who Dat Nation”, the greatest group of fans in professional sports, is to be honored for proudly standing by its team and never wavering in its support of the New Orleans Saints;
Whereas Saints quarterback Drew Brees was named the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XLIV for his record-tying 32 completions out of 39 attempts, 282 passing yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions;
Whereas Saints cornerback Tracy Porter intercepted a pass and returned it 74 yards for a game-clinching touchdown;
Whereas offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael orchestrated an offensive unit including starters Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Jermon Bushrod, Marques Colston, Kyle Eckel, Jahri Evans, Jonathan Goodwin, Devery Henderson, Carl Nicks, Jeremy Shockey, and John Stinchcomb, that finished the 2009 season as the number 1 offense in the NFL;
Whereas defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ creativity and leadership guided the Saints’ defense, including starters Remi Ayodele, Sedrick Ellis, Scott Fujita, Jabari Greer, Roman Harper, Bobby McCray, Tracy Porter, Scott Shanle, Darren Sharper, Will Smith, and Jonathan Vilma; that led the team to unprecedented success;
Whereas the Saints offense finished the 2009 season ranked first in points per game, yards per game, touchdowns, and total points scored;
Whereas quarterback Drew Brees finished the 2009 season as the number 1 ranked passer in the NFL with a quarterback rating of 109.6;
Whereas the Saints had seven players, Drew Brees, Jahri Evans, Jonathon Goodwin, Roman Harper, Darren Sharper, Jonathan Stinchcomb, and Jonathan Vilma, selected to participate in the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl;
Whereas guard Jahri Evans and safety Darren Sharper were named to the Associated Press 2009 NFL All-Pro Team;
Whereas the Saints organization must be commended for the support they have shown to the city and state they call home;
Whereas following Hurricane Katrina, the Saints set up a relief fund that provided much needed resources to charities around Southeast Louisiana and made a commitment to return to New Orleans after not being able to play a single game in the city during the 2005 season;
Whereas following Hurricane Katrina, the Saints gave the people of Southeast Louisiana hope that their way of life was slowly returning to normal, and provided a much needed boost and distraction from the difficult recovery process;
Whereas owner Tom Benson, his wife, Gayle, and his granddaughter, Owner and Executive Vice President Rita Benson-LeBlanc, have dedicated countless hours and resources to helping the people of Southeast Louisiana;
Whereas in 2008, the Volunteers of America recognized Tom Benson as the recipient of its annual Good Samaritan Award in Philanthropy in recognition of his “incomparable efforts to rebuild the region following Hurricane Katrina;”
Whereas the Saints players have become actively engaged in the New Orleans area and have had positive impacts on the New Orleans community;
Whereas the Saints have galvanized and inspired the people of Louisiana and all members of the “Who Dat Nation” during their epic championship season;
Whereas since their founding in 1967 and throughout their history, the Saints have been an iconic symbol for the people of New Orleans and Southeast Louisiana, exhibiting the same commitment and resolve in overcoming adversity and achieving success;
Whereas the entire Saints franchise has become a model of professionalism, goodwill, and community service in representing the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana and brings pride to Saints fans everywhere: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates--
(A) the New Orleans Saints for winning Super Bowl XLIV;
(B) the Benson family and the Saints coaching and support staff, whose commitment to the Saints organization has sustained this proud organization and allowed the team to achieve its first Super Bowl victory;
(C) all members of the “Who Dat Nation,” whose enthusiasm for the team earns them recognition as one of the most loyal fan-bases in all sports;
(D) the State of Louisiana, whose commitment to the Saints helped ensure the team’s success; and
(E) the Indianapolis Colts, led by New Orleans-native Peyton Manning, on an outstanding season; and
(2) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make available enrolled copies of this resolution to the New Orleans Saints for appropriate display and distribution to the ownership, coaches, and members of the 2009-2010 New Orleans Saints.
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Contact: Luke Bolar
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