Jodey Arrington: “as we say in west Texas: ``Sun's up. Guns up.'' Our Texas Tech Red Raiders have gone through this football season, guns…”

“as we say in west Texas: ``Sun's up. Guns up.'' Our Texas Tech Red Raiders have gone through this football season, guns ablazing, and have taken the Big 12 by storm. They posted a historic 11-win regular season with an average victory margin of more than 35 points and their best year since 2008. Now, after securing their outright Big 12 championship, the Red Raiders are knocking on the door of their first-ever national championship. I congratulate Coach Joey McGuire, his tremendous staff, and the outstanding student athletes at Texas Tech, all of whom represent the spirit of west Texas: tenacious, relentless, and 100 percent class and character. Mr. Speaker, Texas Tech, I would argue, is America's team. It is a Main Street university in middle America made up of mostly kids from working families. It is a heartland culture that reflects our Nation's traditional faith and family values. Like our pioneering fathers who braved the harsh elements to settle the Great Plains of west Texas, Red Raiders know how to work, how to fight, and never quit. They don't expect anybody to give them anything. They don't waste time complaining about being underrated or underestimated. They know that respect is earned and not given. They know it is not about pleasing the crowd or the pundits. It is about giving their best to each other, to themselves, and to their university that they love. I am proud to be a Red Raider. I am honored to represent Texas Tech in Congress.”