[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 22, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H4653-H4654]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS FOR WINNING 2003-2004 
  NCAA DIVISION I NATIONAL COLLEGIATE WOMEN'S ICE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 630) commending the University of Minnesota Golden 
Gophers for winning the 2003-2004 National Collegiate Athletic 
Association Division I National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey 
Championship.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 630

       Whereas on Sunday, March 28, 2004, the University of 
     Minnesota Golden Gophers defeated Harvard University in the 
     National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I 
     National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey Championship game by a 
     score of 6 to 2, having defeated Dartmouth College by a score 
     of 5 to 1 in the semifinal;
       Whereas during the 2003-2004 season, the Gophers won an 
     outstanding 30 out of 36 games, while losing only 4 and tying 
     2;
       Whereas the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers women's 
     ice hockey team is the only women's team at the University to 
     win an NCAA championship;
       Whereas sophomores Krissy Wendell, Natalie Darwitz, and 
     Allie Sanchez and juniors Jody Horak and Kelly Stephens were 
     selected for the 2003-2004 NCAA All-Tournament team, and 
     Krissy Wendell was named the tournament's Most Valuable 
     Player;
       Whereas sophomore Krissy Wendell was named to the Jofa 
     Women's University Division Ice Hockey All-American first 
     team, and sophomore Natalie Darwitz was named to the Jofa 
     Women's University Division Ice Hockey All-American second 
     team;
       Whereas seniors Kelsey Bills, La Toya Clarke, Melissa 
     Coulombe, and Jerilyn Glenn made tremendous contributions to 
     the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey 
     program;
       Whereas the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers women's 
     ice hockey head coach Laura Halldorson has been named the 
     American Hockey Coaches Association's Division I Women's 
     Coach of the Year for the third time since 1998; and
       Whereas all of the team's players showed tremendous 
     dedication throughout the season toward their goal of winning 
     the national championship: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the University of Minnesota women's ice hockey 
     team for winning the 2003-2004 National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association Division I Women's Ice Hockey Championship;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of all the team's players, 
     coaches, and support staff and invites them to the United 
     States Capitol to be honored; and
       (3) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the President 
     of the University of Minnesota.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Kline) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline).


                             General Leave

  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on House Resolution 630.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Minnesota?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker I rise today in support of House Resolution 630, and I 
thank my colleague, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), for 
bringing this resolution forward.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution recognizes the achievement of the 
University of Minnesota women's hockey team, the Minnesota Golden 
Gophers for their NCAA Division I championship. The Golden Gophers 
championship win marked a triumphant end to a remarkable season, 
winning 30 of 36 games and becoming the only women's team from the 
University of Minnesota to win an NCAA championship. The Golden Gophers 
defeated Harvard University by a score of 6 to 2 in the championship 
game, after defeating Dartmouth College by a score of 5 to 1 in the 
semi-final game.
  In addition to their team victory, five players received individual 
recognition: Named to the 2003-2004 NCAA All-Tournament team. Head 
Coach Laura Halldorson was also honored as ``Division I Women's Coach 
of the Year,'' receiving this distinction for the third time since 
1998.
  I extend my congratulations to all of the hard-working players, Coach 
Halldorson and her staff, the great Gopher fans, and the University of 
Minnesota. I am happy to join my colleagues in honoring the 
accomplishments of this team, and I wish them continued success. I ask 
my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H. Res. 630, a resolution congratulating the 
University of Minnesota Golden Gophers for winning the 2004 National 
Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women's Ice Hockey National 
Championship.
  In March, the Gophers won their third consecutive national title, 
defeating the Harvard Crimson 6 to 2. I want to congratulate Shannon 
Miller, the 2003 American Hockey Coaches Association ``Coach of the 
Year,'' in leading the Golden Gophers women's ice hockey team to their 
third national title in just 4 years.
  In addition to the titles, Coach Miller holds the top spot among all 
women's college hockey coaches with a .818 winning percentage.
  I also want to congratulate Krissy Wendell, who led the Golden 
Gophers with a goal and 3 assists and scored a total of 8 points during 
the national semi-final and championship games. Due to her excellent 
play, Wendell was named the ``outstanding player'' of the tournament.
  In addition, Wendell's Gopher teammates, Natalie Darwiz, Jody Horak, 
Allie Sanchez and Kelly Stephens also took home NCAA All-Tournament 
honors.

                              {time}  1030

  I also want to congratulate the Harvard women's hockey team for their 
strong performance at the Final Four on Ice this year.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), an athlete himself.
  (Mr. SABO asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SABO. I thank the gentlewoman from California for yielding me 
this time.
  Mr. Speaker, on March 28, 2004, the State of Hockey made history once

[[Page H4654]]

again. The University of Minnesota Golden Gopher women's ice hockey 
team defeated Harvard 6-2 to win the NCAA women's ice hockey 
championship. This marks the first NCAA championship for any women's 
sport at the University of Minnesota and was a true Minnesota effort as 
12 of the 20 women on the roster are Minnesotans.
  Winning the national championship was the crown jewel on an already 
spectacular season. The Golden Gophers defeated Dartmouth in the 
national semifinal 5-1 and former national champions the University of 
Minnesota-Duluth for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association 
championship. The Golden Gophers' final record for 2003-2004 was a 
stunning 30 wins, 4 losses and 2 ties.
  The Gophers' championship season also yielded a number of individual 
honors. Coach Laura Halldorson was named the American Hockey Coaches 
Association's Division I Women's Coach of the Year. Sophomore Krissy 
Wendell was named tournament MVP. Five Golden Gophers were named to the 
NCAA all-tournament team: Krissy Wendell, Natalie Darwitz, Allie 
Sanchez, Jody Horak, and Kelly Stephens. This represents the most 
national all-tournament honors awarded to any Golden Gophers team in 
history.
  Mr. Speaker, Minnesota is, and will always remain, the State of 
Hockey. I congratulate the players, coaches, staff, and fans for this 
wonderful achievement. And with most of the team back next year, we 
hope to be back here celebrating again.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum).
  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to be here to support 
House Resolution 630, congratulating the University of Minnesota Golden 
Gophers women's hockey team for their NCAA 2003-2004 women's ice hockey 
championship. I also want to congratulate head coach Laura Halldorson 
on being named the American Hockey Coaches Association's Coach of the 
Year for the third time since 1998.
  This women's hockey team is the first women's team at the University 
of Minnesota to win an NCAA championship. We are all proud of the 
extraordinary accomplishment of all of these women. The success this 
team has achieved this year will help to continue to fuel women's 
hockey, which is exploding in Minnesota and across the country.
  The success of the Golden Gophers and the ever-growing opportunities 
for women in sports remind us of the importance of title IX, the 
landmark legislation that banned sex discrimination in schools. Since 
its passage over 30 years ago, title IX has kicked open the door for 
women and girls in athletics and education; and since the passage of 
title IX, girls and women have gone from hoping for a team to hoping to 
make the team, from ringette to ice hockey.
  Unfortunately, there are still some who would like to turn back the 
clock and see this law weakened. But as women continue to make strides 
toward equal opportunity, title IX must continue to remain strong. We 
must uphold the progress we have made, and we need to continue to 
expand the opportunities for our daughters, our granddaughters, our 
nieces, and for the next generation of young girls. Every girl and 
young woman must be given a chance one day to become a national 
champion, just as these Golden Gophers women had the chance.
  Once again, I congratulate the University of Minnesota Lady Gophers 
on their extraordinary year.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
just to again thank my colleagues for their kind words today and the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo) for bringing this resolution 
forward. I am very proud to support it and encourage all of my 
colleagues to support it.
  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
University of Minnesota women's hockey team, which has added new and 
indisputable evidence to boost Minnesota's reputation as the State of 
Hockey.
  The Golden Gophers women's hockey team won the NCAA championship in 
March, beating Harvard 6-2 in the NCAA Frozen Four in Providence, RI.
  Mr. Speaker, Minnesota is truly the State of Hockey, and the members 
of the University of Minnesota women's hockey team are true national 
champions.
  This was the Gophers' first NCAA championship but its second national 
title in 5 years, as the Gophers won the AWCHA title in 2000 before the 
NCAA started holding a tournament.
  Mr. Speaker, I salute Coach Laura Halldorson, her staff and her great 
team--including all-tournament players Krissy Wendell, Natalie Darwitz, 
Jody Horak, Allie Sanchez, and Kelly Stephens--on their national 
championship and the impressive way the Golden Gophers handled 
themselves on and off the ice.
  Krissy Wendell, of Brooklyn Park in the Third Congressional District, 
led the Gophers to a 30-4-2 record in this remarkable championship 
season. She had a goal and 3 assists in the championship game and 8 
points during the Frozen Four. Krissy Wendell was named the Most 
Outstanding Player of the Tournament, and the people of our area are 
very proud of her and her teammates.
  The greatness of the University of Minnesota's 2003-2004 Golden 
Gopher women's hockey team is now a part of NCAA women's athletics 
history.
  Mr. Speaker, that greatness was recognized at the White House on May 
19 when the Golden Gophers women's hockey team was honored by President 
Bush. As the President said that day: ``I was pleased to know the 
University of Minnesota women's hockey team's slogan this year was `Get 
it done, and meet George.' It's my pleasure to meet you.''
  Mr. Speaker, It is my pleasure to extend heartfelt congratulations to 
our national champions, the University of Minnesota women's hockey 
team. Congratulations on your great accomplishment, and many thanks for 
making the State of Hockey proud.
  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hefley). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 630.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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