April 18, 2002

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WASHINGTON - University of Maryland alumnus Congressman Steny Hoyer was joined by Speaker Dennis Hastert in leading the Maryland House delegation and the state's United States Senators, Paul Sarbanes and Barbara Mikulski, in welcoming to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, April 17, the 2002 NCAA men's basketball champions, the University of Maryland Terrapins.

"Today, we are all members of the Terrapin basketball family and join in thanking you for your perseverance, your commitment, your hard work, and your team work in bringing the University of Maryland its first NCAA basketball championship," said Senator Sarbanes.

"The Terps' great victory shows the hard work, spirit and heart of an amazing team and the support of an outstanding University," said Senator Mikulski. "Your championship spirit on and off the court is what a Maryland education is all about. Congratulations to President Mote and Athletics Director Yow for building top-notch athletics programs at a top-notch educational institution, and to Coach Williams for building a team of champions who focus on education as well as sport. And congratulations to every member of the men's basketball team. Some of you are Marylanders by birth, but you're all Marylanders in the hearts and minds of the people of our state."

"Anyone who watched these twelve Terrapins this season observed the qualities that carried them to the mountaintop -- hard work and determination, teamwork and skill, and an unbending will to win that allowed them to overcome virtually every obstacle," said Congressman Hoyer. "Those are lessons for life, as well as success in sports. I want to thank these young men for setting a fine example of the right way to achieve your dreams. Not one Terrapin fan will forget the excitement in the air, the exhilaration of the moment or the joy and spirit of championship night. And we will always recall the glow of victory and the spirit of family that enveloped the players, their own families, the student body, the alumni and a proud state."

The 2002 Maryland Terrapins basketball team, University of Maryland President Dr. C.D. "Dan" Mote, Athletics Director Deborah Yow, and Coach Gary Williams were on hand to celebrate the Terrapins' victory on Wednesday outside the U.S. Capitol. Team mascot "Testudo" and the NCAA championship trophy also made special appearances.