One of the first actions newly elected Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone performed when he got sworn in again to the state Assembly in January was to pay tribute to the New York Giants - who had just won the Superbowl.

Chiappone never imagined his tribute to one of the state's most dominant sports franchises would result in an invitation to the White House, where he joined President George W. Bush in a national tribute to the winning team.

Chiappone said his receiving the invitation to the White House came as a complete surprise.

"I guess I was invited because I offered the Assembly a proclamation congratulating the Giants on their Super Bowl victory this past season," Chiappone said.

He was among a number of dignitaries who greeted members of the New York Giants on the South Lawn of the White House two weeks ago.

Prior to attending the event, Chiappone joked that he hoped to talk to some of the Giants players "and maybe get a tryout as a kick and punt return specialist."

Chiappone, of course, had already made local headlines because of some of his remarks during the January tribute in Trenton, when he noted that the team - located in the New Jersey Meadowlands sports complex - had not yet changed its name to become the New Jersey Giants.

Some legislators, such as Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce, had joined Chiappone in referring to the team as the "New Jersey Giants" instead.

The New Jersey General Assembly passed a resolution in recognition of the New York Giants winning Super Bowl XLII.

"One day I hope to be standing here issuing a proclamation to the New Jersey Giants," Chiappone said during the Trenton ceremony. The Giants ended a Cinderella-like season by beating the heavily favored New England Patriots by a mere three points.

Giants stadium is in East Rutherford. The Giants, who moved here in 1976, share it with the New York Jets.

Both teams are jointly constructing a new stadium in the Meadowlands.

Chiappone also made headlines for his comments regarding the Philadelphia Eagles, a popular team among New Jersey residents in the southern portion of the state.

"[The Giants' victory] made all the residents of New Jersey proud, except for a few disgruntled Eagles fans," Chiappone said.

The visit to the White House delighted Chiappone, who said he was proud to represent the state of New Jersey, even though he still isn't certain why he got the distinction.

"Perhaps because I'm the one who presented the legislation to the Giants in the Assembly," he said.

email to Al Sullivan