[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 94 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 94

        Honoring the contributions of Venus and Serena Williams.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 20, 2001

 Ms. Millender-McDonald submitted the following resolution; which was 
             referred to the Committee on Government Reform

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                               RESOLUTION


 
        Honoring the contributions of Venus and Serena Williams.

Whereas, although Venus and Serena Williams are only 20 and 19 years old and 
        only in their sixth and third full years as professional tennis players 
        respectively, they have over 43 professional titles between them;
Whereas Venus and Serena Williams have broken racial and socioeconomic barriers 
        with pride and poise by showing the world that tennis is a sport for all 
        people;
Whereas Venus Williams is the first African-American woman to win the Wimbledon 
        Championships since 1958, is the first United States woman since 1924 to 
        win an Olympic gold medal in both singles and doubles, holds the women's 
        world record for the fastest serve at 127 miles per hour, and is one of 
        only seven women to win the singles titles in both the Wimbledon 
        Championships and the U.S. Open in the same year;
Whereas Serena Williams is only the second African-American woman ever to win a 
        Grand Slam singles title, is only the sixth American woman to win the 
        U.S. Open singles title since 1968, is only the fifth woman to win both 
        singles and doubles Grand Slam titles in the same year, and is the first 
        woman to reach the finals in a U.S. Open debut since 1978;
Whereas Venus and Serena Williams are the first sisters in professional tennis 
        history to each win a Grand Slam singles title, the first to be ranked 
        in the top ten simultaneously since 1991, the first to win a Grand Slam 
        doubles title together, the first to compete against one another in a 
        Women's Tennis Association Tour final, and the first to win an Olympic 
        gold medal in doubles together;
Whereas Venus and Serena Williams have inspired and encouraged people of all 
        backgrounds and ages, especially those in their hometown of Compton, 
        California, demonstrating through the spirit of sport that education, a 
        good work ethic, teamwork, fortitude, and determination are ingredients 
        for success;
Whereas Venus and Serena Williams are African-American role models, coached to 
        excellence by their father, and encouraged by both parents to be 
        leaders, to demonstrate high moral and ethical standards, to value 
        education, and to never stray from these family values; and
Whereas Venus and Serena Williams have been beacons of light to their community, 
        passing out tennis rackets and conducting tennis clinics for low income 
        children, raising funds for community development, and joining our 
        Nation's leaders in support of the Department of Transportation's seat 
        belt campaign ``Buckle Up America!'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors and recognizes the achievements and strides made 
        by Venus and Serena Williams by giving back to their community, 
        promoting excellence, breaking barriers with pride and poise, 
        showing that tennis is a sport for all people; and
            (2) urges all Americans to recognize the contributions to 
        American society made by Venus and Serena Williams through 
        their achievements and community involvement.
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