[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 27 (Thursday, February 13, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2502-S2503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM FOR WINNING 
             THE 2002 NCAA DIVISION I NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 59, which was 
introduced earlier today by Senators Wyden and Smith.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will state the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 59) congratulating the University of 
     Portland Women's Soccer Team for winning the 2002 NCAA 
     Division I National Championship.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. Wyden. Madam President, I offer this resolution with Senator 
Smith to congratulate the University of Portland women's soccer team 
for winning the 2002 NCAA Division I National Championship.
  This championship team achieved a lot of firsts. The women's soccer 
team is the first to bring home a national championship in any sport 
for the University of Portland. As the eighth seed in the NCAA 
tournament, the University of Portland Pilots were the lowest seeded 
team to ever win the national title in the women's national 
championship 21 year history. Sophomore player Christine Sinclair made 
a first by setting an NCAA tournament record with 21 points on 10 goals 
and 1 assist. The Pilots' road to victory included defeating 7 
nationally ranked opponents, including the reigning champion, Santa 
Clara University.
  I am proud of these young women and their tremendous accomplishment. 
In this day when Title IX of the Education Amendments is under 
challenge, we cannot forget that women like those of the University of 
Portland champion soccer team are direct beneficiaries of Title IX. 
Title IX has provided girls and women with equal opportunities in 
athletics. Before Title IX was enacted in 1972, only one in 17 high 
school girls played team sports--now that number is one in 2.5. Title 
IX has helped our Nation develop fantastic athletes like the young 
women I am here to congratulate. We must continue to encourage these 
athletes, and provide them with our full support.
  Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to 
this matter be printed in the Record as if read.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 59) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 59

       Whereas, on December 8, 2002, the University of Portland 
     women's soccer team captured its first ever undisputed 
     collegiate national soccer championship;
       Whereas the 2002 National Collegiate Athletic Association 
     Division I title is the first championship in any sport for 
     the University of Portland;
       Whereas the University of Portland Pilots' 20-4-1 record in 
     2002 tied the record for wins in a season in University of 
     Portland women's soccer history;
       Whereas head coach Clive Charles, the University of 
     Portland director of women's and men's soccer, has 
     successfully built a nationally recognized collegiate soccer 
     program,

[[Page S2503]]

     leading the University of Portland women's and men's teams to 
     a collective 12 conference championships and 16 NCAA playoff 
     berths and producing players for the United States National 
     and Olympic teams;
       Whereas, on the way to the national championship, the 
     Pilots defeated 7 nationally ranked opponents, which included 
     a 2-1 title game triumph over the reigning champion, Santa 
     Clara University;
       Whereas the Pilots, the tournament's number 8 seed, now 
     hold the record as the lowest-seeded team to win the national 
     title in the women's national championship 21-year history;
       Whereas sophomore Christine Sinclair set an NCAA tournament 
     record with 21 points on 10 goals and 1 assist;
       Whereas each player, coach, trainer, and manager dedicated 
     time and effort to ensuring that the Pilots reached the 
     pinnacle of team achievement; and
       Whereas the students, alumni, faculty, and supporters of 
     the University of Portland are to be congratulated for their 
     commitment and pride in the Pilots' women's soccer program: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the University of Portland women's soccer 
     team for winning the 2002 NCAA Division I national 
     championship and recognizes the achievements of all the 
     players, coaches, and support staff who were instrumental in 
     this accomplishment; and
       (2) directs the Secretary of the Senate to make available 
     copies of this resolution to the University of Portland for 
     appropriate display and to transmit a copy of the resolution 
     to each coach and member of the 2002 University of Portland 
     women's soccer team.