University of North Carolina Athletics
Senators Burr, Dole Introduce Resolution Commending Tar Heels' National Championship
April 6, 2005 | Men's Basketball
April 6, 2005
U.S. Senators Richard Burr and Elizabeth Dole today introduced a resolution commending the University of North Carolina men's basketball team for winning the 2005 Division I NCAA national championship.
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Richard Burr and Elizabeth Dole today introduced a resolution commending the University of North Carolina men's basketball team for winning the 2005 Division I NCAA national championship. Text of the resolution is below:
Commending the University of North Carolina men's basketball team for winning the 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Basketball Championship.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES Mr. BURR (for himself and Mrs. DOLE) submitted the following resolution;
RESOLUTION
Commending the University of North Carolina men's basketball team for winning the 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Basketball Championship.
Whereas on April 4, 2005, the North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 75-70 in the finals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (``NCAA'') Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in St. Louis, Missouri;
Whereas the Tar Heels now hold 5 men's basketball titles, including 4 NCAA tournament titles--the fourth-most in NCAA history;
Whereas the Tar Heels' men's team has won championships in 1924, 1957, 1982, 1993, and 2005;
Whereas Tar Heels head coach and Asheville, North Carolina, native Roy Williams won his first NCAA title in just his second year coaching the team, improving to 470-116 in 17 seasons as a head coach, and has the best record of any active coach in men's basketball;
Whereas seniors Jawad Williams, Jackie Manuel, Melvin Scott, Charlie Everett, and C.J. Hooker celebrated 4 years at North Carolina with a ``Final Four'' win;
Whereas Sean May was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, scoring 26 points and collecting 10 rebounds in the final game;
Whereas Tar Heels Raymond Felton and Rashad McCants joined Sean May on the All-Tournament Team, along with Illini players Luther Head and Deron Williams;
Whereas the North Carolina Tar Heels finished the 2004-2005 season with 33 wins and just 4 losses, and won the championship by defeating an Illinois team that tied an NCAA record for wins in a season at 37;
Whereas freshman Tar Heel Marvin Williams helped seal the victory with a tip-in with 1 minute and 26 seconds left to play;
Whereas the Tar Heel defense held Illinois to 27 percent from the field in the first half and prevented the Illini from scoring during the last 2 minutes and 37 seconds;
Whereas North Carolina defeated Michigan State 87-71 to earn a spot in the final contest;
Whereas the Tar Heels defeated Oakland and Iowa State in Charlotte, North Carolina, then Villanova and Wisconsin in Syracuse, New York, to advance to the ``Final Four'';
Whereas Albemarle, North Carolina, native Woody Durham has been the radio play-by-play voice of North Carolina's basketball programs since 1971, and this was his 11th ``Final Four'' with the Tar Heels and third national championship call;
Whereas the Tar Heel team members are excellent representatives of a fine university that is a leader in higher education, producing 38 Rhodes scholars, as well as many fine student-athletes and other leaders;
Whereas each player, coach, trainer, manager, and staff member dedicated this season and their efforts to ensure the North Carolina Tar Heels reached the summit of college basketball;
Whereas the Tar Heels showed tremendous dedication to each other, appreciation to their fans, sportsmanship to their opponents, and respect for the game of basketball throughout the 2005 season; and
Whereas residents of the Old North State and North Carolina fans worldwide are to be commended for their longstanding support, perseverance and pride in the team:
Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) commends the champion North Carolina Tar Heels for their historic win in the 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Basketball Tournament
(2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, students, and support staff who were instrumental in helping the University of North Carolina Tar Heels win the tournament; and
(3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy of this resolution to University of North Carolina Chancellor James Moeser and head coach Roy Williams for appropriate display.
