[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 63 (Thursday, April 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF RUTGERS UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL 
                                  TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2007

  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
convey my support of H. Res. 300, which commends the achievements of 
the Rutgers University Lady Scarlet Knights Basketball Team and 
applauds the character and integrity of their student-athletes.
  This group often 10 extraordinary women, led by Coach C. Vivian 
Stringer, made the State of New Jersey proud by representing Rutgers 
University in the NCAA championship game. They were the first ever 
athletic team from Rutgers to play in any national championship.
  Not only did the Lady Scarlet Knights finish their outstanding 2006-7 
season with a 29-7 record, coming back after losing four of their first 
six games, but they also managed to maintain a combined B+ grade point 
average. They truly excelled both on and off the court.
  I am especially proud to report that junior Essence Carson is a 
native of my hometown, Paterson, NJ. Essence attended two high schools, 
graduating from the Rosa Parks School for Fine and Performing Arts in 
2004 where she studied piano, bass guitar, drums, and saxophone. She 
also competed athletically at Paterson Eastside High School in track 
and field where she won the 2004 state 400-meter title, volleyball 
where she was a three-time all-State selection, and basketball where 
she led her team to three straight county championships.
  Named to the Parade All-America Second Team and the USA Today Super 
25 All-America Team as a senior in high school, Essence shined in the 
McDonald's and Women's Basketball Coaches Association--WBCA--All-
America Games. In 2003, she played for the USA Basketball Youth 
Development Festival East Team, which won a gold medal.
  Now in her third year at Rutgers, Essence is a back-to-back Big East 
Defensive Player of the Year, a 2007 First Team All-Big East Honoree, a 
Region I All-American selection, and was named to the Big East and NCAA 
East Region All-Tournament teams. In only 3 years, she has managed to 
make more appearances in a Scarlet Knights uniform than any other 
player and averaged over 12 points and 6 rebounds per game this season.
  Mr. Speaker, Essence Carson and her teammates on the Rutgers 
University Lady Scarlet Knights Basketball Team are truly the best that 
this Nation has to offer. They are more then just diligent students and 
talented athletes. They are exceptional roll models for young women 
throughout this country. I wish them the best of luck in their future 
endeavors, and I know we can expect great things from them in the years 
to come.

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