WASHINGTON - Congressman Adam H. Putnam (FL-12), a member of the Rules and Budget Committees, today congratulated the National Football League owners on their decision to award Super Bowl XLIII to the City of Tampa in 2009.

“This is a great day for Florida and the entire Tampa Bay region,” said Putnam. “This decision by the NFL owners to award Super Bowl XLIII to the City of Tampa is a boon to the Tampa Bay economy.” 

“Facing stiff competition from Atlanta, Houston and Miami, Tampa Bay emerged the victor in the end because of the positive experience of its three previous Super Bowls,” said Putnam. “The beautiful weather, the attractions such as Busch Gardens, Channelside and historic Ybor City, along with the endless beaches, luxury accommodations and the strong community spirit put us in a league of our own.”

“I want to thank the entire 2009 Tampa Bay Super Bowl Task force for all of their hard work, especially Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, Super Bowl Task Force Chairman Dick Beard and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Senior Director of Business Administration Mike Newquist,” said Putnam. “I would also like to thank the Glazer family for working behind the scenes talking to NFL owners across the nation.”

“Tampa has proven itself a world class city over and over, and the preeminent sporting event in the world has shown that four times now,” Putnam concluded. “I look forward to future host city opportunities of this magnitude for Tampa Bay.”

Tampa Bay hosted its first Super Bowl in 1984, when the Los Angeles Raiders beat the Washington Redskins, 38-9 in Super Bowl XVIII. Super Bowl XLIII will be the fourth Super Bowl in Tampa Bay. It will be the first one since 2001, when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants, 34-7, in Super Bowl XXXV.

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