[Page S340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE TENNESSEE TITANS' SEASON

<bullet> Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate the 
Tennessee Titans on their outstanding season and tremendous effort in 
Super Bowl XXXIV.
  This past Sunday, football fans across America and around the world 
witnessed the most exciting and hard-fought Super Bowl in recent 
memory, if not all-time. Trailing by sixteen points in the third 
quarter, the Titans rallied to tie the game. They fell behind once 
again, but drove down to the St. Louis one-yard-line before time ran 
out.
  The road to Atlanta was not an easy one for the Tennessee Titans. The 
team has played in four stadiums in three cities and two states in four 
years. But, despite this adversity, Titans Coach Jeff Fisher motivated 
his players, orchestrated comebacks and led a team that fought until 
the last second, the last yard. Ultimately, they ran out of time.
  Who will forget Kevin Dyson stretching to reach the goal line when 
the clock ran out on the most important game of his life? Who could 
ever forget the Titans' ``Music City Miracle,'' the kick-off return 
that clinched a play-off victory over the Buffalo Bills, the 
outstanding defensive effort in the win at Indianapolis, the incredible 
second half in Jacksonville that propelled the team to the Super Bowl, 
the indomitable will of Steve McNair or the power and determination of 
Eddie George? The Titans came so close to winning it all, and they have 
so much of which they can be proud.
  The Tennessee Titans can be proud of the way they played with heart 
and introduced the world to a team that many hadn't heard much about. 
The Titans energized the state of Tennessee and nearly shocked the 
world. Most important, the Titans gave their young fans an example of 
the character and sportsmanship to which we should all aspire. And they 
inspired us with their refusal to give up when they were pegged the 
underdogs.
  Mr. President, I'd also like to congratulate my good friends from the 
state of Missouri on the success of the St. Louis Rams. They too 
overcame a tough recent history and many nay-sayers to win the most 
exciting Super Bowl in history. Their wide receiver, Isaac Bruce, a 
former player for my alma mater the University of Memphis, stunned us 
all with his winning 73-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. And the 
Super Bowl's most valuable player, Kurt Warner, is an inspiration on 
the football field and in his personal life. I congratulate them both 
and all of their Rams teammates.<bullet>

                          ____________________