Cliff Stearns: “as we continue to mourn the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech, we are reminded once again how fragile life is.…”

“as we continue to mourn the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech, we are reminded once again how fragile life is. Notwithstanding this tragedy, I would like to take a short moment to acknowledge the accomplishments of the University of Florida, which I represent in Gainesville, for repeating as men's national basketball champions. This historic championship makes the Gators the first team since 1991-1992 to win back-to-back national titles and become only the seventh school ever to repeat as champions. With the Gators' 84-75 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes, Florida remains the only school in the NCAA history to hold both the men's basketball and football championship titles in the same year. The Florida Gators are excellent representatives of both the university and the great State of Florida in their focused persistence and unassailable desire to succeed. My colleagues, I take great pride in representing the University of Florida and congratulate Coach Billy Donovan and the entire university on this great accomplishment.”