[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 30 (Thursday, March 17, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  TRIBUTE TO RHODE ISLAND BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS AND PLEA FOR PEACE IN 
                            NORTHERN IRELAND

  (Mr. MACHTLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MACHTLEY. Mr. Speaker, in this past week Rhode Island has become 
the new State of champions. On Sunday, the Providence College Friars 
defeated the Georgetown Hoyas to take the Big East Championships in New 
York. Also on Sunday, the Brown University Bruins won the Ivy League 
Women's Basketball Championship by defeating Dartmouth in a one-game 
playoff.
  I would first like to congratulate the new Beast of the East, the 
Providence College Friars. The Friars, coached by Rick Barnes, entered 
the Big East Tournament in sixth place in the conference and was 
thought not to have a chance by the so-called experts of reaching the 
final game. But with spirited wins over St. John's and then No. 2, 
Connecticut, the Friars reached the finals of the Big East 
Championships.
  Entering the game on a seven game winning streak, PC seemed destined 
to take this one. Led by the shooting ability of Rob Phelps, the sweet 
passes of Abdul Abullah, and the power rebounds by Tournament MVP 
Michael Smith, the Friars went on to win the championship game for the 
first time.
  Providence now heads the NCAA Championships. The Friars look to make 
a strong showing this year. With the talent this team possess, I 
believe the Friars will go a long way in the tournament.
  The Brown University women's team heads into the women's tournament 
ranked 16th and taking on top-ranked, University of Connecticut 
Huskies. Led by junior center Martina Jerant, the Bruins and Coach Jean 
Marie Burr look to upset the favored Huskies.
  I congratulate the Friars and the Bruins for bringing the 
championships home to Rhode Island. I wish them the best of luck in the 
men's and women's basketball national championships.
  Mr. Speaker, both the students at Brown and Providence College 
understand the problems of Northern Ireland. Last month Amnesty 
International released a report on human rights in Northern Ireland. 
The report warned that there can be no peace without respect for human 
rights in Northern Ireland, that no negotiated settlement will take 
place until the cycle of sectarian murders is put to an end and until 
the British Government's record on human rights in Northern Ireland is 
drastically improved.
  Mr. Speaker, there must be even-handedness with both the Catholic and 
the Protestant communities. There must be equal protection.
  The Irish and the British Governments have achieved much recently, 
and we have all been encouraged by the momentum for change in South 
Africa and in the Middle East.
  On this St. Patrick's Day, as we all enjoy this holiday, let us all 
also hope and pray for peace in Ireland.

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