III 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 511 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 27, 2012 Ms. Cantwell (for herself and Mrs. Murray) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Commending the Pacific Lutheran University Lutes Softball Team for winning the 2012 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Softball Championship.

Whereas, on May 21, 2012, the Pacific Lutheran University Lutes (referred to in this preamble as the PLU Lutes) Softball Team defeated the Linfield College Wildcats by a score of 3–0 to win the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Softball Championship; Whereas this victory is the first softball championship for Pacific Lutheran University in its history, as well as its first national championship since 1999; Whereas the PLU Lutes Softball Team finished the 2012 season with a record of 45 wins and 11 losses, breaking the record at Pacific Lutheran University for most wins in a season; Whereas the PLU Lutes Softball Team also broke the school record for most runs scored and most total bases in a season; Whereas senior pitcher Stacy Hagensen was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player by allowing only 3 hits and giving up no runs; Whereas the team members and coaches of the PLU Lutes Softball Team have set an example of leadership for women in collegiate athletics; Whereas PLU Lutes Softball Team head coach Erin Van Nostrand, associate head coach Greg Seeley, and assistant coaches Tiffany McVay, Dena Harkovitch, and Dena Slye led the team to the championship with their leadership and winning philosophy; Whereas the PLU Lutes Softball Team exemplifies the mission of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) (referred to in this preamble as Title IX), which Congress enacted to ensure that gender discrimination did not interfere with educational opportunities; Whereas the passage of Title IX has led to a 574 percent increase in female participation in college sports and a 1,000 percent increase in female participation in high school sports; Whereas, before Title IX, only 2 percent of the college students participating in sports were female; Whereas, in 2001, 43 percent of the college students participating in sports were female; Whereas, by a 3-1 ratio, female athletes perform better in school and have higher graduation rates than females who do not participate in sports; Whereas student-athletes have higher annual graduation rates than their classmates who do not participate in sports; and Whereas the success of the 2012 PLU Lutes Softball Team demonstrates the accomplishments that a team can achieve when each player adopts a teamwork mentality: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)commends the Pacific Lutheran University Lutes (referred to in this resolution as the PLU Lutes) Softball Team for winning the 2012 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Softball Championship; (2)recognizes the people of Washington State for their support of the PLU Lutes Softball Team; (3)honors the achievements of every player, coach, and support staff who was instrumental in the success of the PLU Lutes Softball Team during the 2012 season; and (4)requests the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution for appropriate display to the PLU Lutes Softball Team.