[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 40 (Monday, March 10, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1428-H1429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE WOMEN'S WATER POLO TEAM OF UCLA FOR WINNING THE 2007 
                         NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 493) congratulating the women's water polo team 
of the University of California, Los Angeles, for winning the 2007 NCAA 
Division I Women's Water Polo National Championship, and congratulating 
UCLA on its 100th NCAA sports national title, making it the most 
accomplished athletic program in NCAA history, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 493

       Whereas on May 13, 2007, the women's water polo team of the 
     University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), defeated 
     Stanford 5-4 in the championship game of the NCAA Division I 
     Women's Water Polo National Championship tournament;
       Whereas the victory gave Head Coach Adam Krikorian and the 
     Bruins women's water polo team their third consecutive NCAA 
     Championship and was the team's fifth overall national title;
       Whereas Kelly Rulon, a driver for the Bruins, was selected 
     as the tournament's Most Valuable Player;
       Whereas UCLA women's water polo players Kelly Rulon, Emily 
     Feher, Courtney Mathewson, Jillian Kraus, and Kacy Kunkel 
     were named to the NCAA All-Tournament First Team;
       Whereas the UCLA women's water polo team finished the 2007 
     season with a record of 28 wins and 2 losses, and now has a 
     record of 90 wins and 6 losses over the past 3 seasons;
       Whereas the 2007 Women's Water Polo National Championship 
     makes UCLA the first school ever to win 100 NCAA sports 
     national titles;
       Whereas UCLA won its 100th NCAA title less than 58 years 
     after the UCLA men's tennis team won the school's first NCAA 
     title in 1950;
       Whereas 16 different men's and women's sports programs 
     contributed to the Bruins' 100 NCAA national championships, 
     including--
       (1) men's basketball in 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 
     1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, and 1995;
       (2) men's golf in 1988;
       (3) women's golf in 1991 and 2004;
       (4) men's gymnastics in 1984 and 1987;
       (5) women's gymnastics in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004;
       (6) men's soccer in 1985, 1990, 1997, and 2002;
       (7) women's softball in 1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 
     1992, 1999, 2003, and 2004;
       (8) men's swimming in 1982;
       (9) men's tennis in 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1960, 
     1961, 1965, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1982, 1984, and 
     2005;
       (10) men's track and field in 1956, 1966, 1971, 1972, 1973, 
     1978, 1987, and 1988;
       (11) women's outdoor track and field in 1982, 1983, and 
     2004;
       (12) women's indoor track and field in 2000 and 2001;
       (13) men's volleyball in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 
     1976, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1993, 1995, 
     1996, 1998, 2000, and 2006;
       (14) women's volleyball in 1984, 1990, and 1991;
       (15) men's water polo in 1969, 1971, 1972, 1995, 1996, 
     1999, 2000, and 2004; and
       (16) women's water polo in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, and 
     2007;
       Whereas UCLA teams have won 14 NCAA national championships 
     during the tenure of Daniel G. Guerrero, the current Director 
     of Athletics at UCLA; and
       Whereas UCLA, under the leadership of Chancellor Gene 
     Block, continues to establish itself as one of the top 
     research universities as well as top athletic programs in the 
     Nation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the women's water polo team of the 
     University of California, Los Angeles, and Head Coach Adam 
     Krikorian for winning the 2007 NCAA Division I Women's Water 
     Polo National Championship;
       (2) congratulates UCLA on becoming the first school to win 
     100 NCAA sports national championship titles, making it the 
     most accomplished athletic program in NCAA history; and
       (3) recognizes the achievements of all the players, 
     coaches, students, alumni, and staff of UCLA who were 
     instrumental over the years in this prestigious achievement.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kuhl) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during 
which Members may insert material relevant to House Resolution 493 into 
the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Iowa?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. LOEBSACK asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
University of California, Los Angeles, on its 100th NCAA team 
championship. On May 13, 2007, the women's water polo team, led by head 
coach Adam Krikorian, defeated Stanford 9-4 in the last round of the 
Women's Water Polo National Championship tournament, thereby making the 
University of California, Los Angeles, the first team in history to win 
100 NCAA team championships.
  This was the team's third consecutive NCAA championship and its fifth 
overall national title. Team member Kelly Rulon was selected as the 
tournament's Most Valuable Player, and Ms. Rulon and four of her 
teammates, Emily Feher, Courtney Mathewson, Jillian Kraus, and Kacy 
Kunkel, were named to the NCAA all-tournament team.
  UCLA won its first national title in men's tennis in 1950. Since 
then, 16 different athletics programs, nine men's programs and seven 
women's, have won national championships in the sports of basketball, 
golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, 
volleyball, and, of course, water polo. In the last 5 years alone, 
under the leadership of director of athletics Dan Guerrero, UCLA teams 
have won 14 NCAA national championships in nine different sports.
  This extraordinary achievement is a tribute to the skill and 
dedication of the many players, coaches, students, alumni, families, 
professors, staff, and fans who have helped to make UCLA an athletic 
powerhouse as well as an academic force.
  Madam Speaker, I express my support for H. Res. 493 and urge my 
colleagues to pass this measure.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 493 
as well. But there is a person in the Chamber who is a little closer 
than the gentleman from Iowa or myself from New York, and so I yield 
such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lewis).
  (Mr. LEWIS of California asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I very much appreciate my 
colleague's courtesy. Almost all that I was going to say about UCLA's 
prowess in athletics has already been stated for the Record.

[[Page H1429]]

  Having said that, Madam Speaker, many a person looking at the 
wondrous world of athletics oftentimes thinks only of the 11 banners 
that involves John Wooden's era as coach of UCLA's basketball team. As 
has been suggested, one would really miss the point of the fabulous 
work done at the UCLA campus, way beyond athletics, in academics, et 
cetera. But indeed, the women's water polo team set the standard by 
winning the 100th championship when they won one more time. It is a 
fabulous item to be associated with UCLA and to get this recognition 
from so many great friends.
  In the meantime, I want you all to know that my dog Bruin very much 
appreciates the attention.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the UCLA Bruins for being 
the most accomplished athletic program in NCAA history, having won 100 
NCAA championships.
  Many observers might presume that for UCLA the only game in town is 
men's basketball. Many walk into Pauley Pavilion and see 11 
championship banners, experience the legacy of John Wooden, and presume 
that's all there is. But for UCLA, that is only the beginning.
  The UCLA men's tennis team won the first NCAA championship for the 
Bruins in 1950 and the last 58 years have been witness to an 
unprecedented record of success. Including the 11 men's basketball 
titles, UCLA's championship record extends across 16 different programs 
including multiple titles in men's volleyball, 19; men's tennis, 16; 
women's softball, 10; men's track and field, 8; men's water polo, 8; 
women's gymnastics, 5; women's track and field, 5; and women's water 
polo, 5.
  UCLA's 100th championship came from the women's water polo team, 
which won its third consecutive NCAA Division I championship on May 13, 
2007. The Bruins, coached by Adam Krikorian, finished 28-2 and have 
been 90-6 over the past three seasons. Courtney Mathewson scored three 
goals and Jillian Kraus added two more as the Bruins beat rival 
Stanford. Kelly Rulon was selected as the tournament's Most Valuable 
Player. Rulon, Mathewson, and Kraus were joined by Emily Feher and Kacy 
Kunkel as members to the NCAA All-Tournament First Team.
  These championships reflect the philosophies of great Bruin coaches 
like basketball icon John Wooden and volleyball legend Al Scates. Their 
commitment to hard work, discipline, and sportsmanship has created a 
legacy of victory unparalleled in college sports. Additionally, the 
contributions of all the fans, students, alumni, and staff have been 
instrumental over the years in helping UCLA achieve 100 championships.
  The list of Bruin athletes who contributed to the school's heritage 
of victory is a rollcall of the greatest athletes of our time: Lewis 
Alcindor, Arthur Ashe, Evelyn Ashford, Jimmy Connors, Gale Devers, 
Mitch Gaylord, Florence Griffith-Joyner, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Karch 
Kiraly, Jackie Robinson, Bill Walton, and others.
  I'm especially proud that UCLA is a public university committed to 
diversity and fulfilling the promise of Title IX. Since 1982, Bruin 
women teams have contributed 30 championships to UCLA's total. This is 
enough to put them 11th on the NCAA's all-time champions list.
  One hundred championships is a reflection of the teamwork that is the 
hallmark of UCLA athletics and its strong tradition of combining 
excellence in athletics with excellence in academics. UCLA's commitment 
to hard work, discipline, and sportsmanship has created a tradition of 
victory unparalleled in college sports.
  Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I join with my colleagues from 
Iowa and California in support of this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 493--
Congratulating the women's water polo team of the University of 
California, Los Angeles, for winning the 2007 NCAA Division I Women's 
Water Polo National Championship, and congratulating UCLA on its 100th 
NCAA sports national title, making it the most accomplished athletic 
program in NCAA history.
  On May 13, 2007, the UCLA women's water polo team defeated Stanford 
5-4 in the championship game of the NCAA Division I Women's Water Polo 
National Championship tournament.
  The victory gave head coach Adam Krikorian and the Bruins women's 
water polo team their third consecutive NCAA championship and was the 
team's fifth overall national title.
  Kelly Rulon, a driver for the Bruins, was selected as the 
tournament's most valuable player; and Emily Feher, Courtney Mathewson, 
Jillian Kraus, and Kacy Kunkel were named to the NCAA All-Tournament 
First Team.
  The UCLA women's water polo team finished the 2007 season with a 
record of 28 wins and 2 losses and now has a record of 90 wins and 6 
losses over the past 3 seasons.
  This national title makes UCLA the first school ever to win 100 NCAA 
sports national titles--only 58 years after the UCLA men's tennis team 
won the school's first NCAA title in 1950. Along the way, 16 different 
men's and women's sports programs contributed to the Bruins' 100 NCAA 
national championships.
  UCLA teams have won 14 NCAA national championships during the tenure 
of Daniel G. Guerrero, the current director of athletics. Under the 
leadership of Chancellor Gene Block, UCLA continues to establish itself 
as one of the top research universities as well as top athletic 
programs in the Nation.
  I extend my congratulations to Chancellor Block, Athletics Director 
Guerrero, Head Coach Adam Krikorian and his staff, all of the hard-
working players, the fans, and to UCLA. I am happy to join my good 
friend and colleague Representative Lewis in honoring this exceptional 
team and all of its accomplishments and wish all involved continued 
success.
  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise 
today to congratulate the University of California, Los Angeles--My 
alma mater--on its 100th NCAA team championship.
  In a Nation with so many colleges and universities known for their 
strong sports programs, heck, in a city the size of Los Angeles with 
sports powerhouse USC right across town, this is a truly amazing 
accomplishment.
  At UCLA, which has so many firsts in other areas, the 2007 UCLA 
women's water polo Team helped UCLA reach another first: the first to 
100 NCAA team championships.
  On May 13, 2007, the women's water polo team, led by Head Coach Adam 
Krikorian, defeated Stanford 9-4 in the last round of the Women's Water 
Polo National Championship tournament, thereby making history.
  This was the team's third consecutive NCAA championship and its fifth 
overall national title. Team member Kelly Rulon was selected as the 
tournament's Most Valuable Player, and Ms. Rulon and four of her 
teammates--Emily Feher, Courtney Mathewson, Jillian Kraus, and Kacy 
Kunke--were named to the NCAA all-tournament team.
  UCLA won its first national title in men's tennis in 1950. Since 
then, 16 different athletics programs--nine men's programs and seven 
women's--have won national championships in the sports of basketball, 
golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, 
volleyball, and, of course, water polo.
  In the last 5 years alone, under the leadership of Athletic Director 
Dan Guerrero, UCLA athletics teams have won 14 NCAA national 
championships in nine different sports.
  This extraordinary achievement is a tribute to the skill and 
dedication of the many players, coaches, students, alumni, families, 
professors, staff, and fans who have helped to make UCLA an athletic 
powerhouse as well as one of the top academic universities in the 
Nation.
  UCLA's accomplishment also demonstrates the success of Title IX. Of 
the 100 NCAA championships that UCLA teams have earned, women's teams 
have been responsible for 30. And the NCAA didn't even begin awarding 
championships in women's sports until the 1981-82 season.
  To all the athletes of UCLA, past and present, male and female, you 
rock.
  Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 493, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________