The Tar Heels are being praised on the floor of the U.S. House.
North Carolina's Congressional delegation unanimously cosponsored a resolution honoring the men's basketball team of UNC-Chapel Hill, which won the NCAA championship.
U.S. Rep. David Price, an alumnus and a professor at rival Duke University, saluted President Obama's "bipartisanship" in picking UNC on his bracket while employing a former Duke basketball player.
Another alum, Rep. Brad Miller, took a gibe at Price, noting that he has taught "at a nearby institution of lesser reputation."
"I wanted to make sure there was somebody here with absolutely unmixed loyalties who could speak in favor of this resolution," he said.
He praised the school's academic standards for athletes, noting the graduation rate for the basketball team is high.
Congress considered the resolution for 24 minutes.
More after the jump.
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Rep. Mike McIntyre, who got bachelor's and law degrees from UNC, said that Williams' coaching sent a "strong message" that "dreams, dedication and determination" lead to success.
"God bless the Tar Heel boys," he said.
Rep. Bob Etheridge, who played basketball at Campbell University, said the student athletes were calm under pressure.
"For people who have played basketball, you can really appreciate what it takes, the pressures that are on those young men," he said. "I don't know of any greater pressure that a young person can have."
The team also earned praise from Rep. Michael Castle, a Delaware Republican; and Rep. Hal Rogers, a Kentucky Republican.
A vote on the resolution was postponed because there was no quorum.



