[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 18, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4699-S4700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 156--COMMENDING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE RUTGERS 
  UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM AND APPLAUDING THE CHARACTER AND 
              INTEGRITY OF THE PLAYERS AS STUDENT-ATHLETES

  Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Leahy, and Mr. Obama) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 156

       Whereas under head coach C. Vivian Stringer the Rutgers 
     University women's basketball team (referred to in this 
     preamble as the ``Lady Knights'') finished an extraordinary 
     2006-2007 season with a 27-9 record;
       Whereas, after losing 4 of their first 6 games, the Lady 
     Knights refused to give up and spent their winter break in 
     the gym honing their skills and working to become a better 
     team for the rest the season;
       Whereas, on March 6, 2007, the Lady Knights upset the top-
     seeded University of Connecticut team for their first-ever 
     Big East Championship title;
       Whereas the young women of the Lady Knights displayed great 
     talent in their run to the Final Four of the women's National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament;
       Whereas 5 freshmen played an integral role in the team's 
     march to the championship game;
       Whereas the Lady Knights showed enormous composure with 
     tournament wins against teams playing in their home States;
       Whereas, through hard work and determination, the young 
     team fought through improbable odds to reach the NCAA title 
     game;
       Whereas the team was just the third number 4 seed in 
     history to reach the championship;

[[Page S4700]]

       Whereas the Lady Knights made school history as the first 
     athletic team from Rutgers University to play for any 
     national championship;
       Whereas, during the 3 weeks of the tournament, the Lady 
     Knights brought excitement to the NCAA tournament and 
     captured the hearts of basketball fans throughout New Jersey 
     and across the Nation;
       Whereas Rutgers students, alumni, faculty, and staff, along 
     with countless New Jerseyans are immensely proud of what the 
     Lady Knights accomplished during the season;
       Whereas the members of the team are excellent 
     representatives of Rutgers University and of the State of New 
     Jersey;
       Whereas the young women of the Lady Knights are outstanding 
     individuals who are striving to reach lifetime goals both on 
     and off the basketball court;
       Whereas the Lady Knights epitomize the term ``student-
     athlete'' with a combined B+ grade point average;
       Whereas by excelling in academics, music, and community 
     service, Katie Adams, Matee Ajavon, Essence Carson, Dee Dee 
     Jernigan, Rashidat Junaid, Myia McCurdy, Epiphanny Prince, 
     Judith Brittany Ray, Kia Vaughn, and Heather Zurich are great 
     role models for young women across the Nation; and
       Whereas the Lady Knights embody integrity, leadership, and 
     class: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the amazing performance of Rutgers University 
     women's basketball team in the National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association tournament; and
       (2) expresses its admiration for the achievements and 
     character of this team of remarkable young women.

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