madam speaker, i commend mark ingram. the whole state of alabama is proud of mark. and flint, michigan, and the state of michigan i know is very proud of their native son. and they should be. and i commend congressman kildee for bringing this resolution. the state of michigan has overcome many challenges, and i think it's fitting that mark ingram comes from a state that's overcome many challenges. i rise to recognize mark ingram as representing the citizens of alabama. he's the first heisman trophy winner to ever win the award at the university of alabama. now, think about the university of alabama, bear bryant, and the storied program at the university. and yet he's the first recipient of the heisman trophy at the university of alabama. you know, many names come to mind from the university of alabama, many all-americans. yet, he's the first to accomplish that. and as mr. kildee said, congressman kildee, he did so in his sophomore year. "sports illustrated" cover storied called mark the pride of the tide. he did set an alabama single season rushing record of over 1,

mark ingram, the m.v.p. of the game, and the first heisman trophy winner in school history, is a student athlete of outstanding character and spirit. but it was a team effort. in the end alabama came out on top and finished the season with a perfect 14-0 record and its first national championship season since 1992 under coach gene stalling. there was another undefeated team and that was boise state university. and i congratulate the coach of boise state when someone said they should be invited to the white house together with the university of alabama, he graciously said there's only one national championship. that's the university of alabama, and they should be invited. so i congratulate boise state university on their successful undefeated year. as to all citizens of alabama. the passionate fans in alabama can be very proud of the way that their student athletes have represented the most -- both the university and the state. i commend president dr. robert wit and his administration and coach nick saban and