[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 65 (Friday, April 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       A TRIBUTE TO REBECCA LOBO

                                 ______


                           HON. JOHN W. OLVER

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, April 6, 1995
  Mr. OLVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rebecca Lobo 
of the town of Southwick, MA. A senior student athlete at the 
university of Connecticut, Ms. Lobo has distinguished herself as an 
excellent scholar and superb basketball player. The entire First 
Congressional District is proud of her considerable achievements.
  In addition to being a key contributor on this year's NCAA Women's 
Basketball National Championship team, Ms. Lobo has received numerous 
prestigious awards. She is College Sports Magazine's National Player of 
the Year, Women's Basketball News Service's National Player of the 
Year, a unanimous first team All-American, and the Big East Conference 
Player of the Year (for the second consecutive year). Equally 
impressive athletic honors are certain to follow.
  A political science major, Ms. Lobo is just as intimidating in the 
classroom as on the hard court. Indeed, she earned a 4.0 grade point 
average during the last three semesters at the University of 
Connecticut. This dedication to her studies has brought her the 
distinction of being a Rhodes Scholar finalist, and the only Big East 
basketball player ever to be named both the Big East Player of the Year 
and the Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Even more impressive is 
the fact that Ms. Lobo has accomplished this latter feat two times!
  Rebecca Lobo's unparalleled excellence in sports and in school makes 
her a fine role model for young people all across the country. The 
people of Southwick, MA, took the lead in recognizing Ms. Lobo's 
example when the board of selectmen voted to rename the road to 
Southwick-Tolland Regional High School the ``Rebecca Lobo Way.'' The 
board's chairman, Paul Salzer, explained that the town chose ``Rebecca 
Lobo Way'' as opposed to ``Rebecca Lobo Street'' because, ``It is 
indicative of a `WAY' to get ahead in education, in athletics.''
  In fact, during their successful quest for a championship, Rebecca 
Lobo, and her teammates on the Huskies, have already served as 
inspiration for hundreds of girls across the country, as well as 
igniting interest in women's basketball for thousands of men and women. 
No collegiate basketball team, male or female, has ever won more games 
than this team, and they did it through teamwork, while upholding the 
best traditions of this country's true scholar-athletes.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Rebecca Lobo on her 
successful college career. Her academic and athletic achievements do, 
indeed, lead the way and are an inspiration to us all.


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