[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 9, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S2821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S2821]]
   SENATE RESOLUTION 508--CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE 
   WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2008 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE 
    ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. ALEXANDER (for himself and Mr. Corker) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 508

       Whereas, on April 8, 2008, before a crowd of over 21,000 
     fans, the University of Tennessee women's basketball team 
     (referred to in this preamble as the ``Lady Vols'') defeated 
     the Cardinal of Stanford by a score of 64-48 to win the 2008 
     National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women's 
     Basketball Championship;
       Whereas that victory marked the second national title for 
     the Lady Vols in 2 years, and the 8th national title of the 
     Lady Vols in the last 20 years;
       Whereas the University of Tennessee became the first school 
     to accomplish back-to-back national titles twice, having 
     previously achieved that feat during its 3-peat from 1996 
     through 1998;
       Whereas the Lady Vols were successful due to the leadership 
     of Head Coach Pat Summitt, the Nation's all-time winningest 
     National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball coach 
     among men's and women's teams, with 983 wins over 34 seasons 
     at the University of Tennessee;
       Whereas Joan Cronan, the Women's Athletics Director of the 
     University of Tennessee, has--
       (1) shown vision and leadership throughout her 25-year 
     career at the University of Tennessee; and
       (2) created 1 of the most visible and respected athletic 
     programs in the country;

       Whereas the Lady Vols compiled an impressive overall record 
     of 36 wins and 2 losses, avenging 1 of those losses against 
     Stanford in the championship game;
       Whereas the Lady Vols were guided all season long by--
       (1) the leadership of the seniors on the team, including--
          (A) Nicky Anosike;
          (B) Alberta Auguste;
          (C) Shannon Bobbitt; and
          (D) Alexis Hornbuckle; and
       (2) the outstanding play of the 2008 Naismith Trophy 
     winner, Candace Parker;

       Whereas Candace Parker, while playing with an injured 
     shoulder, tallied 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals, and 
     was selected as the Most Outstanding Player for the 2008 
     tournament, becoming--
       (1) the 4th player in history to achieve that honor 2 years 
     in a row; and
       (2) the 5th member of the University of Tennessee women's 
     basketball team to be so honored, following in the footsteps 
     of--
          (A) Chamique Holdsclaw, who was honored in 1997 and 
     1998;
          (B) Michelle Marciniak, who was honored in 1996;
          (C) Bridgette Gordon, who was honored in 1989; and
          (D) Tonya Edwards, who was honored in 1987;

       Whereas Shannon Bobbitt, who at only 5 feet, 2 inches, is 
     the shortest player ever to play on the University of 
     Tennessee women's basketball team, and whose 3 first half 3-
     pointers and transition defense helped establish an early 
     lead, finished the game with 13 points, and was named to the 
     2008 All-Tournament Team;
       Whereas Nicky Anosike, who finished the game with 12 
     points, 8 rebounds, and a game-high 6 steals, was named to 
     the 2008 All-Tournament Team;
       Whereas Alberta Auguste scored 7 points to go along with 7 
     rebounds;
       Whereas Alexis Hornbuckle, whose dogged defense helped hold 
     the Stanford team to a season-low 48 points and a season-high 
     25 turnovers, finished with 6 points and 3 assists;
       Whereas freshman Vicki Baugh provided a nice boost off the 
     bench with 8 points and 4 rebounds; and
       Whereas Head Coach Pat Summitt's Lady Vols set an example 
     off the court as well, by continuing to sustain a remarkable 
     graduation rate, with every student athlete who has completed 
     her eligibility at the University of Tennessee graduating or 
     working toward all of the requirements for graduation: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the University of Tennessee women's 
     basketball team for--
       (A) being champions on and off the court; and
       (B) the victory of the team in the 2008 National Collegiate 
     Athletic Association Division I Women's Basketball 
     Championship (referred to in this resolution as the ``NCAA 
     women's basketball championship'');
       (2) recognizes the significant achievements of the players, 
     coaches, students, alumni, and support staff whose dedication 
     and hard work helped the University of Tennessee Lady 
     Volunteers win the NCAA women's basketball championship; and
       (3) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to 
     transmit for appropriate display an enrolled copy of this 
     resolution to--
       (A) Dr. John D. Petersen, President of the University of 
     Tennessee;
       (B) Joan Cronan, Women's Athletics Director of the 
     University of Tennessee; and
       (C) Pat Summitt, Women's Basketball Head Coach of the 
     University of Tennessee.

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