2017 -- H 5364

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS ON THEIR STERLING 2016-2017

NFL SEASON AND WISHING THEM CONTINUED SUCCESS ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY

5, 2017, AGAINST THE ATLANTA FALCONS IN THE SUPER BOWL

     Introduced By: Representatives Marshall, Kennedy, Shekarchi, Morgan, and Mattiello

     Date Introduced: February 02, 2017

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, In the 2016-2017 NFL season, the New England Patriots had yet another

elite season as they once again won the AFC East Division, and compiled an outstanding 14-2

regular season record, the best in the NFL. To get to the Super Bowl, the Patriots defeated the

Houston Texans in their first playoff game 34 to 16, and thrashed their perennial rival, the

Pittsburgh Steelers 36 to 17 in the AFC Championship game; and

     WHEREAS, The Patriots were once again led by the best Head Coach in the NFL, and

arguably the best Head Coach in the history of pro football, Bill Belichick. Coach Belichick,

during his Patriots coaching tenure, has compiled an incredible 201-71 regular season and 24-9

playoff record. He has won four Super Bowls in six appearances, fourteen division titles in

sixteen seasons, winning eight in a row, and incredibly, leading the Patriots to a first place finish

or a tie for first place in the AFC East Division for sixteen straight seasons; and

     WHEREAS, The Patriots were balanced on both sides of the field this season. The

Patriots offense, despite losing Rob Gronkowski to injury and not having Tom Brady for the first

four regular season games, led the AFC in points scored and were second in the NFL in points

scored. The Patriots accomplished this thanks to their superb offensive line play, coached by

Rhode Island resident Dante Scarnecchia, the tough and consistent rushing provided by Le

Garrette Blount, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards, a vastly underrated receiving corps, and,

of course, the stellar play of quarterback Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback in NFL history.

Tom Brady once again compiled off-the-charts passing statistics, completing 67.4 percent of his

passes and throwing twenty-eight touchdowns with only two interceptions; and

     WHEREAS, The Patriots also benefited all season from a stingy defense that led the NFL

in fewest points allowed. They were led by the lock down passing defense skills of corner back

Malcolm Butler, who led the team with four interceptions, and the leadership provided by Dont'a

Hightower, a superb linebacker who called the plays for the defense. Finally, none of the Patriots'

phenomenal success over the last sixteen seasons would have been possible without the skillful

management that has been provided by the New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates the New England Patriots on their outstanding 2016-

2017 NFL season, and wishes them continued success on Sunday, February 5, 2017, against the

Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl; and be it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Robert Kraft.

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