2008 -- S 2176

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2008

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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS ON THEIR OUTSTANDING

SEASON AND WISHING THEM CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE SUPER BOWL

     Introduced By: Senators Jabour, J Montalbano, Perry, Connors, and Bates

     Date Introduced: January 31, 2008

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, The New England Patriots are one game away from completing the first

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perfect season in the history of the National Football League since the Miami Dolphins

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accomplished the same feat in the 1972 season. However, the Patriots have played a much more

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difficult schedule than the Dolphins did in 1972 and will have played two more games in their

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quest to finish 19-0; and

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     WHEREAS, The Patriots are led by quarterback Tom Brady, who this year added to his

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legendary Hall of Fame career feats by breaking Peyton Manning's 2004 record of 49 touchdown

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passes when he threw his 50th touchdown pass in the last regular season game against the New

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York Giants. Another record breaker for the Patriots was Wide Receiver Randy Moss who caught

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an NFL record 23 touchdown passes in 2007, breaking Jerry Rice's old record of 22 touchdown

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receptions in a season; and

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     WHEREAS, The New England Patriots scored 589 points in the 2007 NFL season,

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breaking the NFL record. In addition to Brady and Moss, New England's offense has been led by

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a superb offensive line, stellar receiving threats in Tight End Ben Watson and Receivers Wes

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Welker, Donte Stallworth, and Jabar Gaffney, and the tough running and pass catching by

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Running Backs Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk; and

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     WHEREAS, New England's veteran defense has consistently stopped the opposition from

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making big plays all season. Linebackers Junior Seau and Teddy Bruschi play the run and pass

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equally well and can be counted on to make big plays under pressure. Assante Samuel is a

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lockdown Cornerback capable of shutting down the opposition's best receiver, and defensive

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linemen Vince Wilfork and Richard Seymore are excellent run stoppers and pass rushers; and

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     WHEREAS, The New England Patriots are one victory away from compiling the greatest

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season in NFL history and winning their fourth Super Bowl in seven years. Led by Coach Bill

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Belichick, one of the greatest coaches in the history of pro football, the Patriots are re-writing the

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record books, and in the midst of one of the greatest championship runs and dynasties in the

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history of professional sports; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby congratulates the New England Patriots and owner Bob Kraft for their magnificent

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accomplishments so far this season, and we wish them continued success against the New York

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Giants this Sunday in Super Bowl XLII; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft.

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