III 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 156 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 18, 2007 Mr. Lautenberg (for himself, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Leahy, and Mr. Obama) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Commending the achievements of the Rutgers University women's basketball team and applauding the character and integrity of the players as student-athletes.

Whereas under head coach C. Vivian Stringer the Rutgers University women’s basketball team (referred to in this preamble as the Lady Knights) finished an extraordinary 2006–2007 season with a 27–9 record; Whereas, after losing 4 of their first 6 games, the Lady Knights refused to give up and spent their winter break in the gym honing their skills and working to become a better team for the rest the season; Whereas, on March 6, 2007, the Lady Knights upset the top-seeded University of Connecticut team for their first-ever Big East Championship title; Whereas the young women of the Lady Knights displayed great talent in their run to the Final Four of the women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament; Whereas 5 freshmen played an integral role in the team’s march to the championship game; Whereas the Lady Knights showed enormous composure with tournament wins against teams playing in their home States; Whereas, through hard work and determination, the young team fought through improbable odds to reach the NCAA title game; Whereas the team was just the third number 4 seed in history to reach the championship; Whereas the Lady Knights made school history as the first athletic team from Rutgers University to play for any national championship; Whereas, during the 3 weeks of the tournament, the Lady Knights brought excitement to the NCAA tournament and captured the hearts of basketball fans throughout New Jersey and across the Nation; Whereas Rutgers students, alumni, faculty, and staff, along with countless New Jerseyans are immensely proud of what the Lady Knights accomplished during the season; Whereas the members of the team are excellent representatives of Rutgers University and of the State of New Jersey; Whereas the young women of the Lady Knights are outstanding individuals who are striving to reach lifetime goals both on and off the basketball court; Whereas the Lady Knights epitomize the term student-athlete with a combined B+ grade point average; Whereas by excelling in academics, music, and community service, Katie Adams, Matee Ajavon, Essence Carson, Dee Dee Jernigan, Rashidat Junaid, Myia McCurdy, Epiphanny Prince, Judith Brittany Ray, Kia Vaughn, and Heather Zurich are great role models for young women across the Nation; and Whereas the Lady Knights embody integrity, leadership, and class: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)commends the amazing performance of Rutgers University women’s basketball team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament; and (2)expresses its admiration for the achievements and character of this team of remarkable young women.