The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate passed legislation last night to applaud Penn State's football team and the recently elected local officials.

USG's Resolution 12, PSU Football Program Recognition, thanked the football team and its players for their "contribution and dedication to football this past season." The resolution also wished the team the "best of luck at Michigan State as well as all of their future endeavors and careers."

Josh Ream, town senator and one of the legislation's sponsors, said the legislation does not benefit students but gives the student body a voice to show their appreciation for and recognition of the talent and dedication of the football team. "[I] think it's important to let the football team know students appreciate them," he said, adding that it was a way to also wish the team luck at the Michigan State game this Saturday, as well as luck to the seniors in the future.

Senators also discussed possibilities to add a tangible element to the legislation.

Brock Coleman, South Halls senator and internal affairs chair, said some possibilities he discussed with Ream included sending something to Joe Paterno's office, or getting the team to sign a football to either put on display at the HUB-Robeson Center or auction off for the Interfraternity/Panhellenic Dance Marathon. However, senators agreed to stick with the original legislation and research ideas for a possible tangible element in the future.

"If we do something, we have to do something well," Alex Ibrahim, USG Senate vice president, said. "I think right now, thank you is good."

USG Senate also passed legislation to congratulate the winners of last week's borough elections, including Mayor Bill Welch, Borough Council members Elizabeth Goreham, Ron Filippelli and Don Hahn, and new Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira. The legislation is intended to forward USG's congratulations to all appropriate parties.

Andy Banducci, USG Senate president, said the legislation is a gesture of congratulations from students to the elected officials, and it shows USG and students' hopes to work with the elected officials in the future.

Senators also discussed the recent investigations of the Penn State University Police using the Web site Facebook.com to identify students who rushed the field at the Ohio State game.

Keith Crouse, East Halls and town senator, said he did not think it was right for the police to use Facebook in investigations.

"I'm friends with Jesus Christ and Usher [on Facebook]," Crouse said. "I don't see how reliable Facebook is to charge people with crimes."

Ibrahim said the police's methods should be something that the Senate operations committee looks into.