2017 -- H 5404

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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 WINNING SUPER BOWL LI

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

     Date Introduced: February 07, 2017

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, In a game for the ages, one that will be remembered for decades, the New

England Patriots made the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, storming back from a

twenty-five point deficit in the third quarter to stun the Atlanta Falcons and the world, and win

their fifth Super Bowl in franchise history by the score of 34 to 28, in the first Super Bowl to ever

go to overtime; and

     WHEREAS, The 2016-2017 New England Patriots displayed a unique ability all season

to overcome adversity. They went 3-1 in their first four games, despite not having the services of

Tom Brady. They also lost Rob Gronkowski, the best tight end in the NFL, to injury halfway

through the season, yet they still compiled a 14-2 record, the best in the NFL, and steamrolled

through the AFC playoffs, thrashing the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers on their way

to setting an NFL record with their ninth Super Bowl appearance; and

     WHEREAS, The Patriots once again found themselves facing adversity, digging

themselves into a deep hole in the third quarter, losing 28 to 3. Yet, just as things were looking

grim, and millions of folks were contemplating turning off their television sets, the Patriots

mounted a furious rally. Tom Brady led the way, picking apart the Falcons defense with pinpoint

passes to an array of receivers, from James White, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola to Chris

Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell and Martellus Bennett in a dizzying and fierce comeback that had the

Falcons defense on its heels and confused for most of the second half and overtime; and

     WHEREAS, Also aiding the comeback cause was the Patriots defense, the best in the

NFL all season, which stiffened in the second half and shut down the Falcons high-powered

offense when it mattered most, thanks in part to the outstanding play of team linebacker and team

leader Dont'a Hightower, who created a key turnover when he stripped Falcons Quarterback Ryan

of the ball, and then later in the game made a vital sack of Ryan, which knocked the Falcons out

of field goal range. The Patriots' victory would also have been impossible without the cool and

calm leadership provided by Head Coach Belichick, who kept the team focused when things

looked bleak, and for his knack for calling the right plays at the right time, a vital skill that was

best exhibited when the Patriots were able to convert two crucial fourth quarter two-point

conversions; and

     WHEREAS, The New England Patriots set a number of Super Bowl records in Super

Bowl LI. Tom Brady set Super Bowl game records for most completions in a game and most

passing yards in a game. He also set a Super Bowl record for most MVPs in a Super Bowl with

four, and both he and Belichick, the two architects of the Patriots dynasty, set Super Bowl

records for most appearances by a Head Coach and Quarterback, with seven each, and most wins

by a Head Coach and Quarterback with five each. Additionally, Wide Receiver James White set a

Super Bowl record for most receptions in a game with fourteen; 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 winning Super Bowl

LI. Their thrilling comeback victory and refusal to give up despite facing seemingly

insurmountable odds enthralled an entire nation and much of the world, and will serve as an

inspiration to millions for years to come; 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, Owner, New England

Patriots.

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