[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 16, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 CONGRATULATIONS TO HAWAII'S NATIONAL TOURNAMENT QUALIFYING BASKETBALL 
                                 TEAMS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii [Mrs. Mink] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate four 
college basketball teams from Hawaii for qualifying for their 
respective national tournaments, which begin play this week.
  Hawaii Pacific University and the University of Hawaii-Hilo both 
qualified for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics 
Tournament. Hawaii Pacific returns to the tournament as the defending 
national champion. Hawaii-Hilo gained one of the at-large invitations 
after having an outstanding season.
  The University of Hawaii men's team is finally returning to the 
tournament after last appearing in 1972. But getting there wasn't easy. 
After beginning the season with several losses, the team qualified for 
the tournament by staging an exciting come from behind victory over 
arch-rival Brigham Young University to win the Western Athletic 
Conference Tournament Championship.
  The women's team has been a contender in the Big West Conference for 
several years. In fact, in 1989 and 1990 they represented the Big West 
Conference in the NCAA Tournament. Despite continued success since 
their 1990 appearance, the team suffered bitter disappointments in 1992 
and 1993 by being snubbed by the tournament selection committee in each 
of those years. Now, they finally have another chance to show their 
talents.
  Even though Hawaii's geographic location and time zone differences 
make it difficult for the rest of the country to follow our basketball 
teams, this week the country will see four determined teams that fought 
their way to their respective tournaments.
  Hawaii is proud of its teams' achievements. Again, congratulations to 
all the players, coaches, and their many supporters.

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