[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 111 (Thursday, September 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF VENUS AND SERENA WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 4, 2002

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 94, the 
resolution to honor the contributions of sisters Venus and Serena 
Williams offered by Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald.
  I first want to congratulate Serena and Venus Williams for their 
outstanding and historic achievement of being ranked #one and #two, 
respectively, by the Women's Tennis Association tour, the first for 
siblings.
  Earlier this year the sisters faced each other in the finals at 
Wimbledon. The singles final was the first competition between siblings 
at Wimbledon since the very first edition in 1884, when Maud and 
Lillian Watson faced each other. Venus and Serena played a game that 
will not soon be forgotten.
  The sisters have won many awards including more than 43 professional 
titles between them. Settling Grand Slam titles is nothing new to Venus 
and Serena. Venus Williams was the first African-American woman to win 
the Wimbledon Championships since 1958 and was the first United States 
woman since 1924 to win an Olympic gold medal in both singles and 
doubles. It is no surprise that Venus was named Sports Illustrated 
Sportswoman of the Year in 2000 and winner of the 2001 ESPY Award for 
Outstanding Women's Tennis Performer.
  Serena Williams was the first woman to reach the finals in a U.S. 
Open debut since 1978 and is the 2002 Wimbledon champion.
  Together, Venus and Serena Williams were the first sisters in 
professional tennis history to each win a Grand Slam singles title, the 
first to be ranked in the top ten simultaneously since 1991, the first 
to win a Grand Slam doubles title together, and the first to compete 
against one another in a Women's Tennis Association Tour final. The 
sisters also were the first to win gold medals in doubles at the 2000 
Sydney Olympic games.
  The Williams sisters are also winners off the court. They have 
established the Venus and Serena Williams Tennis and Tutorial/tennis 
academy that offers mentoring and tennis lessons to high school 
students in the Los Angeles area.
  Additionally, the sisters are co-founders of the Southeast Tennis and 
Learning Center in Washington, D.C. These ventures will give hope to 
many young people and help keep them off the streets, on the tennis 
courts, and following their dreams.
  The sisters have also landed numerous endorsements including Reebok, 
Puma, and Avon Cosmetics, setting important precedents for women 
athletes--;especially women of color. They are shining examples of what 
can be accomplished with hard work and perseverance.
  As we honor these remarkable athletes, we must not forget to salute 
their family, especially their parents, Richard and Oracene Williams. 
They established a solid foundation of excellence in their children. 
They are indeed the backbones for their daughters' successful careers.
  Venus and Serena's accomplishments are victories for women of all 
ages who aspire to be or are already athletes. On and off the courts, 
Venus and Serena Williams are indeed ``giving back''.
  I believe that in a few days we will see another Williams sister-
sister match up at the U.S. Open. Venus and Serena Williams are both 
advancing toward the finals in the U.S. Open.
  Mr. Speaker, the wonderful thing about this resolution is that it 
acknowledges the Williams sisters for their contributions to the sport 
of tennis, their community, and all the things they have done and will 
continue to do. Without question, Venus and Serena are two great 
athletes who have changed the game of tennis. I urge all of my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

                          ____________________