HIS CHALLENGE ACCEPTED BY COLLEAGUE REPRESENTING OHIO STATE

Washington, Dec 8, 2006 - "Although we have serious issues to work on here in Congress, I must express my pride in the outstanding record of the University of Florida's football team and that the Gators will play for the BCS Championship in January," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "The Florida Gators are excellent representatives of both the university and the great State of Florida in their tenacity, spirit, and desire to succeed. I take great pride in representing the University of Florida and congratulating Coach Urban Meyer and the entire university on this great accomplishment."  

"I am so confident in a Gator victory that I challenge my colleague from Ohio to a friendly wager," Continued Stearns. "In the unlikely event that Florida loses, I will provide her with a crate of Florida oranges.  However, I look forward to collecting perhaps one of Ohio's great delicacies."  Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH), who represents Ohio State, accepted the challenge and wagered a crate of peanut butter and chocolate buckeyes.