[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 9, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATIONS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA'S 1999 NCAA CHAMPIONS, 
  MEN'S GOLF, MEN'S TENNIS, WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS, WOMEN'S SWIMMING AND 
                                 DIVING

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                          HON. SAXBY CHAMBLISS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 1999

  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my alma mater, the 
University of Georgia, and its athletic program for recently capturing 
four NCAA championships this season. Four national titles in one season 
is a record for the University of Georgia. An outstanding group of 
young men and women brought home national titles in Men's Golf and 
Tennis, and Women's Gymnastics and Swimming and Diving, and each of 
these teams deserve great recognition.
  I especially want to congratulate both the Men's Golf and Women's 
Swimming and Diving Teams for winning their first-ever national titles. 
Just this past weekend, the Men's Golf Team and their Coach Chris Haack 
won the NCAA national championship by three strokes over Oklahoma 
State. In March, the top-ranked Lady Bulldog Swimming and Diving Team 
also won their first NCAA Championship be defeating Stanford, the 
defending champion. I would like to recognize Coach Jack Bauerle for 
being named Swimming Coach of the Year and Kristy Kowal for being named 
Swimmer of the Year. I am extremely proud of both of these teams for 
these historic accomplishments, and I know there will be many more in 
the future.
  The UGA Women's Gymnastics Team and their Coach Suzanne Yoculan have 
brought pride to the University of Georgia over the years, and words 
cannot describe the incredible talent displayed by this group of young 
women. This year was no exception as the Gym Dogs outdistanced Michigan 
and Alabama in April to capture their fifth NCAA National Championship 
while at the same time defending their 1998 national title. The Gym 
Dogs have maintained a perfect record of 67-0 over the last two years, 
an amazing accomplishment. Imagine, not a single loss in two years. 
This season they completed the season with a perfect 32-0 record as the 
only undefeated team in the country. They are the first team ever to 
have a perfect record two years in a row, and the second team to win 
back-to-back women's gymnastics titles.
  I also want to congratulate Karen Lichey for being named the 1999 
recipient of the Honda Award for Gymnastics as the country's top female 
collegiate gymnast. Miss Lichey also earned the maximum five First-Team 
All-American honors as well as SEC Gymnast of the Year. These 
incredible accomplishments should not go unnoticed. I had the honor of 
hosting the Gym Dogs during their visit to Washington last summer, and 
they are a group of bright young women that are already a legend in the 
University of Georgia's athletic program.
  In May, the UGA Men's Tennis Team and their Coach Manual Diaz fought 
back to defeat UCLA and win its third NCAA title since 1987. Upon 
entering the tournament, Georgia was ranked number 10. UCLA was ranked 
number one in the country, but Georgia fought with great heart and 
overcame the odds. The Bulldogs came back from being down two matches 
to one and brought home another title, winning four of the seven 
matches. The team has a rich history of winning, and this year was no 
different. In the years to come, I know we can expect the Men's Tennis 
Team to continue their winning tradition.
  Mr. Speaker, victory is sweet indeed, but it cannot be achieved 
without the hard work, talent, and perseverance of every single 
athlete. These four teams of outstanding individuals, including 
numerous champions and All-Americans, and their coaches deserve the 
recognition they have received. I want to commend the University of 
Georgia athletic program, its director Vince Dooley, and its fine 
coaches and athletes. I also want to say what an honor it is to be a 
UGA alumnus, and I look forward to many victories in the years to come.

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