COCHRAN SALUTES SUPER BOWL MVP ELI MANNING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) on Tuesday delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor to praise the winning Super Bowl performance of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and to commend him for his contributions to the state of Mississippi:

“Madam President, I am pleased to rise in the Senate today and congratulate Eli Manning and the New York Giants football team for their victory in the National Football League championship game.  As most Senators probably know, Eli is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and lives in Oxford, Mississippi, during the offseason.

“The Giants’ 21-17 victory was the second NFL championship for the team in the last four years.  Eli Manning began the game by completing his first nine passes, which was a new Super Bowl record, and he was named the Most Valuable Player of the game.  He became the fifth player in NFL history to win multiple Super Bowl Most Valuable Player awards.

“During the regular season, Manning threw for 4,933 yards and 29 touchdown passes, including an NFL-record of 15 touchdown passes in fourth quarters.  He also led six game-winning drives that allowed the Giants to overcome deficits in the final stage of their games.

“Manning and his wife, Abby, have supported many worthy causes and have made a strong commitment to the health and education of young people in Mississippi.

“They’ve made a pledge to raise $2.5 million for the Eli Manning Children’s Clinics at the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children in Jackson, Mississippi, and they’ve also donated $1 million to start the Ole Miss Opportunity scholarship program, which helps children in Mississippi with special financial needs to have the opportunity to attend college.  Manning has served as a member of President Bush’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and is active with many other organizations such as the March of Dimes and the American Red Cross.  His commitment to volunteerism and national service is very impressive and worthy of high praise.

“Madam President, I am proud to congratulate Eli Manning and the New York Giants as Super Bowl Champions.”

The Senate late Tuesday night also approved a resolution (S.Res.369) congratulating the New York Giants on the team’s Super Bowl win.

###