[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3669-S3670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COMMENDING PURDUE UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I send a resolution to the desk and ask for 
its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 76) commending the Purdue University 
     women's basketball team on winning the 1999 National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association women's basketball 
     championship.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak not only on my own 
behalf but on behalf of my senior colleague, Dick Lugar, who, 
unfortunately, could not be with us at the last moment. I know he will 
be submitting his own remarks on behalf of the Lady Boilermakers and 
their outstanding victory in the NCAA women's basketball tournament 
this year. I know the rules prohibit me from pointing anybody out in 
the galleries, but I want to say how much I appreciate the presence of 
several constituents today; in particular, the mayor of West Lafayette, 
IN, several officials representing Purdue University, and several of 
our distinguished citizens from Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, and 
elsewhere across our State.
  Mr. President, basketball is perhaps synonymous with the State of 
Indiana, not only because we love to play the game, not only because we 
believe in physical fitness, but because of the character, the 
determination, and the other fine attributes associated with that sport 
that are necessary for success in it.

[[Page S3670]]

  This year's Purdue women's basketball team, perhaps better than any 
other, exhibits those character traits. They are an example of Indiana 
at its finest and the United States of America at its finest. So I rise 
today to salute them both as individuals and as a team for their 
accomplishments.
  Mr. President, this team was an example of near perfection. Their 
record was an outstanding 34 victories and only 1 defeat. They are the 
first women's championship team representing any Big Ten university in 
any sport. Their coach, Carolyn Peck, an outstanding individual, is not 
only the youngest coach to lead a winning team to the NCAA tournament, 
but she is also the first African American one to do it. One of their 
star players, Stephanie White-McCarty, is not only a first-team 
athletic all-American, but also an academic all-American. As a matter 
of fact, Mr. President, she represents the rest of the team very well 
in that regard.
  The team, as a whole, had a combined grade point average of 3.0, 
which is very good by today's standards, particularly with regard to 
the athletic community.
  Mr. President, once again, I salute the Lady Boilermakers for their 
outstanding contributions not only on the basketball court, but because 
of the outstanding individuals they are.
  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise today to join with my colleague from 
Indiana as a cosponsor of this Senate resolution commending the Purdue 
University women's basketball team on winning the 1999 National 
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball championship.
  The Lady Boilermakers this year have made Indiana history in becoming 
the first women's sport to bring home a national championship title for 
Purdue University. They are also the first women's basketball team in 
the Big Ten Athletic Conference to win the NCAA title.
  This resolution is a fitting tribute and a deserving honor for Coach 
Carolyn Peck and the team members who persevered throughout the long 
season and the playoffs to win the national title. Their commitment and 
dedication to this tremendous effort is demonstrated by their winning 
record of 34 games--including a string of 32 consecutive victories. 
Throughout this storied season, the Lady Boilers' skill and dedication 
was matched only by the grace and dignity with which they carried 
themselves as a team en route to the national title.
  For departing seniors Ukari Figgs and Stephanie White-McCarty, this 
victory is truly special as they complete their studies at Purdue and 
look toward the future. Winning the NCAA title is an historic and 
special occasion--placing this team among a select company of national 
champions. Their triumph will be remembered at Purdue and throughout 
our State for years to come.
  The dedication and sportsmanship demonstrated throughout the season 
by the Lady Boilers reaffirm our strong basketball tradition in 
Indiana. The team's competitive spirit and commitment to excellence 
make them deserving recipients of the accolades of the nation and the 
honor of this special Senate resolution.
  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
and preamble be agreed to en bloc and that the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, without intervening action.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 76) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 76

       Whereas the Purdue University Lady Boilermakers (Lady 
     Boilers) won their first National Championship in the 
     National Collegiate Athletic Association women's basketball 
     tournament on March 28, 1999;
       Whereas the Lady Boilers finished the 1998-99 season with 
     an outstanding record, winning 34 games, including 32 
     consecutive victories;
       Whereas the Lady Boilers proudly brought Purdue University 
     its first ever NCAA championship in any women's sport, and 
     did so with skill matched by grace and dignity;
       Whereas the Lady Boilers claimed the first ever NCAA 
     women's basketball championship by any member of the Big Ten 
     Athletic Conference; and
       Whereas the Lady Boilers have brought great pride and 
     distinction to the State of Indiana: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate commends the Purdue University 
     Lady Boilers basketball team for winning the National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association women's basketball national 
     championship.

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence 
of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Burns). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed for 6 
minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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