[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 7, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H1286-H1288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN VOLLEYBALL TEAM FOR
WINNING NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 99) commending the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln volleyball team for winning the NCAA Division I
Women's Volleyball Championship, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 99
Whereas the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Husker
volleyball team won the 2006 NCAA Division I Women's
Volleyball National Championship at the Qwest Center in
Omaha, Nebraska, on December 16, 2006;
Whereas Husker junior Sarah Pavan was chosen as the
Nation's top collegiate female volleyball player, winning the
2006-07 Honda Sports Award for volleyball;
Whereas Pavan was named the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-
American of the Year, becoming Nebraska's 234th Academic All-
American and the program's 29th Academic All-American in
volleyball, totals that lead the Nation;
Whereas the Huskers completed the 2006 season with a record
of 33-1;
Whereas Husker head coach John Cook has lead the team to 2
national championships;
Whereas the Husker volleyball team made its sixth
appearance in the NCAA finals;
Whereas the 2006 Huskers are only the third team in the
history of the NCAA to lead the American Volleyball Coaches
Association poll for an entire season;
Whereas the entire Husker volleyball team should be
commended for its determination, work ethic, attitude, and
heart;
Whereas the University of Nebraska is building an
impressive legacy of excellence in its volleyball program;
and
Whereas the University of Nebraska volleyball players have
brought great honor to themselves, their families, their
university, and the State of Nebraska: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Husker
volleyball team for winning the 2006 NCAA Division I Women's
Volleyball National Championship; and
(2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches,
students, and staff whose hard work and dedication made the
Championship possible.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
[[Page H1287]]
General Leave
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
Members may have 5 legislative days to insert material relevant to
House Resolution 99 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
(Mrs. DAVIS of California asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln for winning the NCAA Division I Women's
Volleyball Championship.
On December 16, 2006, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Huskers
volleyball team won the 2006 NCAA Division I Championship by defeating
the Stanford University Cardinals at the Qwest Center in Omaha,
Nebraska.
I want to extend my congratulations to head coach John Cook, head
assistant coach Lee Meas, assistant coach Charlene Johnson-Tagaloa, and
the director of volleyball operations Lindsay Wischmeier. Also
supporting the team was athletic director Steve Pederson and the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln chancellor Harvey Perlman.
The Huskers, Mr. Speaker, had an exceptional record of 33-1 and had
four All-Americans on their team. Junior Sarah Pavan also won the 2006-
2007 Honda Sports Award. This award is given to the Nation's top
collegiate female volleyball player. Pavan was also named the ESPN
Magazine Academic All-American of the Year.
And I also want to extend my congratulations to the Stanford
University Cardinals. The Cardinals had a record of 30-4. The Cardinals
were the PAC-10 Conference champions and were honored by four women
receiving All-American honors.
{time} 1115
Student athletes, as we know, balance a rigorous school workload with
the many practices and games in which they compete.
So I am proud of all the student athletes for their dedication to
their school work and their sport. The NCAA promotes its 380,000
student athletes to work with numerous service organizations, including
the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and the American Cancer
Society.
Winning the national championship and finishing the season with a 33-
1 record has brought positive national recognition and attention to the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and I know that the fans of the
university will cherish this moment as they look forward to the 2007
season.
Mr. Speaker, once again, I congratulate the University of Nebraska-
Lincoln for their success.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise in support of House Resolution
99. This resolution honors the top-ranked University of Nebraska
women's volleyball team for their victory over the second-ranked
Stanford University Cardinals. The Huskers rallied to defeat Stanford
3-1 for their third NCAA Division I women's volleyball championship in
front of a record crowd of 17,209 fans at the Quest Center in Omaha.
Led by four All-Americans, including national player of the year
Sarah Pavan, the Huskers won the school's ninth Big 12 title in 11
years with a 19-1 Big 12 record, and a 33-1 overall record. This is the
second national title that the team has won with head coach John Cook
leading the team.
I extend my congratulations to Coach John Cook, all of the
hardworking players, the fans and the University of Nebraska. I am
happy to join my good friends and colleagues, Representatives Smith,
Fortenberry, and Terry, in honoring this exceptional team and all of
its accomplishments, and wish all involved success in the future.
My only regret, since I enjoy playing volleyball myself, is that I
never had the opportunity to watch them play in person. But it would
have been a real pleasure, had I been able to.
I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Mr. Smith, the sponsor of this
resolution, I apologize on his behalf that he is unable to be here, but
he dearly wanted to be here to speak on this resolution. In his
absence, I am next pleased to yield 3 minutes to another gentleman from
Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry).
Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan for
his time and his commendations of the University of Nebraska volleyball
team.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to also thank Representative Adrian Smith for
originally sponsoring this resolution congratulating all the members of
the volleyball team. I am pleased to cosponsor this resolution as well
to bring attention to the national successes of this team out of
Lincoln.
Just a month ago, as it was mentioned, the team won the 2006 NCAA
Division I women's volleyball championship. I am very proud of the
Husker team and particularly proud to say that this team represents all
of Nebraska.
Mr. Speaker, success isn't something that just happens. It takes
forethought, hard work, persistence and dedication, and the members of
the Huskers women's volleyball team certainly earned it.
Every member of the team should be commended for her dedication, as
well as Head Coach John Cook, who led the team with skill and
discipline. Under Coach Cook's leadership, the team finished the season
with an astounding record of 33-1. Not only did Coach Cook lead this
team to a national championship, but this is his third time in that
leadership seat.
The University of Nebraska women's volleyball team is a shining
example of the best that Nebraska has to offer. Again, I would like to
congratulate the team.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank the previous speaker for
commending me for my support of Nebraska athletes. That is certainly
true, except for one time when I was invited to speak to a conference
at the University of Nebraska. At this conference, I was speaking on
teaching better mathematics in elementary schools. Then I saw a huge
billboard as I was driving into Lincoln to give the speech, and I saw
how badly they needed my speech on mathematics, because there was a big
billboard that announced ``Welcome to the University of Nebraska. Home
of the number one football team in America.'' Well, that year, of
course, Michigan was the number one team, but Nebraska refused to
concede that.
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to another
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry).
Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, yes, we enjoy, ranking member, former
chairman, Michigan Stater, having that 1997 national championship
trophy prominently displayed when you walk into the athletic
facilities. It is too bad that we weren't able to leave that game on
the field back then, but I am sure that Nebraska would have won by 30
or 40 points.
Now, I have to defend the football team, Mr. Speaker, when challenged
like that.
But I am so proud of our women's volleyball team and to be a
cosponsor with Adrian Smith of this resolution. What an incredible
achievement. Our volleyball team started the season ranked number one
with high expectations and ended the season number one in a hard-fought
duel with Stanford, the number two rated team in the Nation. And some
even had the audacity to think that Stanford was a better team. But,
boy, it was the match of a century, two titans battling it out. And the
University of Nebraska in the fifth game prevailed for the national
championship.
Not only are we proud of the University of Nebraska women's
volleyball team for their play on the court but also those in
attendance. My hometown of Omaha hosted the national championship
tournament, and we now hold the record for attendance for a women's
volleyball match in America; 17,200 fans attended each session. I think
that speaks well of the sports enthusiasm in Nebraska.
[[Page H1288]]
I also want to acknowledge one of the players on that team, Sarah
Pavan, a junior, who has become the second player in NCAA history to be
named the American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Year
and Academic All-American of the year from ESPN Magazine. That is truly
a student athlete.
I urge all of my colleagues to join the Nebraska delegation today in
recognizing the outstanding play of our volleyball team, the coaching
and the support that this volleyball team has from its fans in
Nebraska.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, so I am pleased
to yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am just going to close on
this resolution and thank my colleagues for bringing it to the floor.
This is House Resolution 99, which commends the University of Nebraska-
Lincoln volleyball team for winning the NCAA Division I women's
volleyball championship. It has been fun for me to listen to my
colleagues as they commend this spectacular team. And even though I am
a Californian, I still want to let them know that this is a wonderful
accomplishment, and particularly, I applaud the women athletes that
were part of this contest.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 99, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________