[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 28 (Friday, February 14, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S2521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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             CONGRATULATIONS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a special 
group of young women, their coaches, and their fans, who show us the 
value of persistence, determination, and personal sacrifice. In 
December, the University of Portland women's soccer team gave the 
Pilots their first ever NCAA championship by beating the defending 
national champions, Santa Clara University, in double overtime. At 20-
4-1, the Pilots were the lowest seed in the Women's College Cup 
championship series, and their win makes them the lowest seeded team 
ever to win the national championship.
  It has been a long and bittersweet road to victory for the team and 
the University. The Pilots made it to the semi-finals six times in the 
last 8 years, coming close to a championship in 1995 only to lose in 
the finals to Notre Dame in triple overtime. Although never winning a 
collegiate championship, a number of University of Portland players 
went on to represent the United States in Olympic Competition, 
including Tiffeny Milbrett and Shannon MacMillan, who played on the 
U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning team.
  The Pilots' superior accomplishment this year marks the culmination 
of years of hard work put forth by the women who came before them, and 
the young women from this year's national champion Pilots, who are the 
cream of the crop of American youth, will serve as role models for the 
women who will follow them. It takes more than athletic prowess to 
succeed at this level. Winning a national championship takes 
intelligence, teamwork, dedication, and the willingness to rise above 
adversity and try just a little harder. The Pilots are an inspiration 
to us all, and they show today's youth how hard work and determination 
can lead to great successes.
  Clive Charles, the Pilots' head coach since 1989, also personifies 
the finest qualities demonstrated by his team, and it is for good 
reason that his team dedicated their championship to him. Coach Charles 
has battled prostate cancer for 2 years, and although his cancer is 
treatable, it is not curable. He continued weekly chemotherapy 
treatments throughout the season, and, despite challenges, led his team 
to the pinnacle of their sport. His next goal along with the returning 
players is to bring home another cup next year.
  NCAA Division 1 head coaches selected Coach Charles as National Coach 
of the Year, making him the first Western Collegiate Conference coach 
to earn that title. Sophomore striker Christine Sinclair was named 
National Player of the Year, becoming the first sophomore ever to be 
recognized with that honor. But it was all the players and their 
coaches, working as a team, who brought this honor back to Portland.
  I join the University of Portland and its alumni, the city of 
Portland, and state of Oregon in thanking these young women and their 
coaches for giving us all something to cheer about. I am pleased that 
they will be meeting with President Bush at the White House on February 
24, and I am very proud to be able to honor the University of Portland 
women's soccer team today.

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