Everybody loves to hate Duke basketball. The anti-Duke sentiment is so pervasive that it has inspired not one but two major Newsweek features on the cultural phenomenon. But, via The New Republic's Greg Veis, one giant institution has come out boldly in favor of Duke basketball. Here's a hint. It's one of the only things that's actually more hated than Duke basketball. That's right: Congress.

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced a resolution in praise of Duke's big basketball victory. The bill begins:

Whereas on April 5, 2010, the Duke University Blue Devils defeated the Butler University Bulldogs by a score of 61-59 in the finals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (hereinafter referred to as the `NCAA') Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana;

Whereas the Blue Devils now hold 4 national men's basketball titles, winning NCAA championships in 1991, 1992, 2001, and 2010;

Whereas Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski improved his record to 868-279, won his 77th NCAA tournament game, the most in NCAA history, and won his fourth national championship, making him tied with Adolph Rupp for second most championships in NCAA history;

This goes on for some time. Let's skip straight to the end:

Resolved, that the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates the 2010 national champions, the Duke University Blue Devils, for their win in the 2010 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Basketball Tournament;
(2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, students, and support staff who were instrumental in the Blue Devils' victory;
(3) invites the Duke University men's basketball team to the United States Capitol Building to be honored; and
(4) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make available enrolled copies of this resolution to Duke University President Richard H. Brodhead, Athletic Director Kevin White, and Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski for appropriate display.

The resolution, which has 29 co-sponsors, is currently before the Committee on Education and Labor. Your government at work.

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