[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 29, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H7269-H7271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM FOR 
             WINNING THE 2008 NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1151) congratulating the University of Tennessee 
women's basketball team for winning the 2008 National Collegiate 
Athletic Association Division I Women's Basketball Championship.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1151

       Whereas on April 8, 2008, the University of Tennessee 
     women's basketball team, the

[[Page H7270]]

     Lady Vols, defeated the Cardinals of Stanford University by a 
     score of 64 to 48 to win the 2008 National Collegiate 
     Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Women's Basketball 
     Championship;
       Whereas this championship was the 2nd national title for 
     the Lady Vols in as many years, and their 8th national title 
     in the last 21 years;
       Whereas the Lady Vols were successful due to the leadership 
     of Coach Pat Summitt, the Nation's alltime winningest NCAA 
     basketball coach in both the men's and women's leagues, with 
     983 wins over 34 seasons at the University of Tennessee;
       Whereas Women's Athletics Director Joan Cronan has shown 
     vision and leadership throughout her 25-year career at the 
     University of Tennessee, and created one 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, with the 2nd most wins in a single 
     season in school history;
       Whereas Candace Parker tallied 17 points and 9 rebounds; 
     became the 4th player to win back-to-back Most Outstanding 
     Player of the Final Four honors; broke the University of 
     Tennessee record for free throws made, with 523, and 
     attempted, with 738; moved into 3rd place in the NCAA record 
     for free throws attempted with 118 in NCAA tournament career 
     games; scored in double figures for the 44th game in a row 
     and the 105th time of her career; and moved into 3rd place in 
     the University of Tennessee record books for single season 
     scoring, with 809;
       Whereas Shannon Bobbitt scored double figures, with 13, for 
     the 17th time this season and the 33rd time of her career, 
     and her trio of three-pointers moved her past Kara Lawson's 
     2002-2003 season total of 77 treys and into 3rd place in the 
     University of Tennessee single season record books;
       Whereas Alexis Hornbuckle played her 21st NCAA tournament 
     game, moving her into a tie for 5th place in NCAA history;
       Whereas Nicky Anosike added 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 
     steals for the Lady Vols; played in her 21st NCAA tournament 
     game, moving her into a tie for 5th place in NCAA history; 
     ranks 4th in NCAA history with 44 career steals in the NCAA 
     tournament; tied for 2nd in an NCAA championship game with 
     her 6 steals on April 8;
       Whereas Candace Parker, Shannon Bobbitt, and Nicky Anosike 
     earned All-Final Four team honors; and
       Whereas Coach Pat Summitt's Lady Vols continue their 
     remarkable graduation rate, with every student athlete who 
     completed her eligibility at the University of Tennessee 
     either graduating or working toward all the requirements for 
     graduation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the University of Tennessee women's 
     basketball team for being champions on and off the court, and 
     for their victory in the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association (NCAA) Division I 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 Vols 
     win the NCAA championship; and
       (3) respectfully requests the Clerk of the House of 
     Representatives to transmit copies of this resolution to the 
     following for appropriate display--
       (A) Dr. John D. Petersen, President of the University of 
     Tennessee;
       (B) Dr. Jan Simek, Interim Chancellor of the University of 
     Tennessee, Knoxville;
       (C) Joan Cronan, Women's Athletics Director; and
       (D) Pat Summitt, Women's Basketball Head Coach.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hare) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 1151 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the University of 
Tennessee women's basketball team for their victory in the 2008 
National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I women's basketball 
championship.
  On April 8, women's basketball fans were treated to an exceptional 
game as the University of Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Stanford 
University Cardinal and clinched their eighth national title. The 
resounding 64-48 defeat marks back-to-back national titles for the Lady 
Vols.
  I want to extend my congratulations to Head Coach Pat Summitt, 
Associate Head Coach Holly Warlick, and Assistant Coaches Dean Lockwood 
and Daedra Charles-Furlow. With 983 wins, Coach Summitt is the 
winningest NCAA basketball coach in both the men's and women's leagues.
  At the onset of the season, Summitt also received the prestigious 
John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching lifetime achievement award. As the 
first female to receive this award, Summitt was recognized for her 
talents and hard work with her players both on and off the court. 
Thanks to the dedication of the entire coaching staff, the Lady Vols 
have an impressive track record of winning games and also boast an 
impressive 100 percent graduation rate for student athletes who 
completed their eligibility at the University.
  Congratulations are also in order for forward Candace Parker, who was 
named the most outstanding player of the Final Four for the second year 
in a row. Parker, a junior from Naperville, Illinois, also broke the 
University of Tennessee's record for free throws made and attempted, 
and moved into third place at the University for single season scoring. 
In her tenure at the University of Tennessee, Parker has scored in 
double figures 105 times, and the championship game was the 44th game 
in a row that she completed this fete. Parker was also named the 2008 
Naismith Women's College Player of the Year, and was selected by the 
Los Angeles Sparks as the first pick in the WNBA draft.
  We must also congratulate Shannon Bobbit and Nicky Anosike who, along 
with Parker, rounded out the All-Final Four team. Bobbit, a senior from 
Manhattan, New York, moved into third place in the University of 
Tennessee's record books when she scored three three-pointers in the 
final game, for a total of 77 three-pointers in a single season. 
Anosike, a senior from Staten Island, New York, ranks fourth in steals 
in NCAA history, with 44 in her career, and tied for second in a 
championship game with six against the Cardinal.
  The extraordinary achievement of this year is attributed to the skill 
and dedication of the many players, coaches, students, alumni, family, 
and fans that have helped make the University of Tennessee a basketball 
powerhouse. Winning the national championship, finishing the season 
with a 36-2 overall record, and winning the Southeastern Conference 
tournament title has once again brought national acclaim to the 
University of Tennessee. I know that fans of the University will revel 
in this accomplishment as they look forward to the 2009 season.
  Madam Speaker, once again, I congratulate the University of Tennessee 
women's basketball team for their success.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
House Resolution 1151, and I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).
  Mr. DUNCAN. I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for yielding me this 
time.
  Madam Speaker, the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame is located in my 
district and my hometown in Knoxville, Tennessee. One of the main 
reason is that no college team in history, men's or women's, and no 
coach can claim the accomplishments of the University of Tennessee Lady 
Vols basketball team and head coach Pat Summitt.
  On April 8, 2008, as the gentleman from Illinois just mentioned, the 
University of Tennessee Lady Vols captured their second NCAA Division I 
national championship in a row, beating the Cardinal of Stanford 
University by a score of 64-48. It was their eighth national 
championship victory, cementing Coach Summitt's status as the Nation's 
all-time winningest NCAA basketball coach in both the men's and women's 
leagues.
  Coach Summitt, with 983 wins over 34 seasons at the University of 
Tennessee, is certainly a remarkable leader. Anyone who has had the 
pleasure of meeting her in person knows the depth of her character, and 
it shows both on and off the court. Her 2008 team continues a 
remarkable 100 percent graduation rate. Every student athlete since she 
became head coach has completed their eligibility at the University of 
Tennessee, either graduating or working

[[Page H7271]]

toward the requirements for graduation within the required 6-year time 
limit set by NCAA rules.
  I have always said that the colors orange and white are almost as 
patriotic in my district as red, white, and blue. I doubt there is any 
community that shows more support for women's athletics than the people 
of Tennessee. The Lady Vols regularly attract huge crowds to watch them 
play, sometimes as large as 25,000 people. It is easy to become 
overwhelmed with statistics when speaking of the Lady Vols. They 
finished this season with 36 wins and only two losses, the second most 
wins in a single season in school history.
  I especially want to commend Candace Parker, who won back-to-back 
most outstanding player of the Final Four, and some people say that she 
is probably the greatest women's basketball player of all time. I also 
want to congratulate Shannon Bobbit and Nicky Anosike, who both also 
earned All-Final Four team honors, and Alexis Hornbuckle who played and 
started in her 21st NCAA tournament game.
  I want to also thank all the members of the Tennessee delegation for 
cosponsoring this resolution, as well as 16 other bipartisan cosponsors 
from across the country.

                              {time}  1930

  I also want to commend the entire coaching staff, Pat Head Summitt, 
certainly the greatest head coach in women's basketball history; Joan 
Cronan, our great women's athletics director; and Holly Warlick, 
associate head coach; Dean Lockwood, assistant coach; and Nikki 
Caldwell, assistant coach, who is now moving on to become UCLA's new 
head coach. And I certainly appreciate the nationwide support for this 
resolution. And I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, at this time I will yield such time as he 
may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee, Representative John 
Tanner.
  Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I could not improve on the eloquence of my 
friend, Jimmy Duncan from Knoxville, but I just wanted to join and 
thank you for bringing this resolution about the Lady Vols. It is a 
storied program. I went there some years ago now and played a little 
basketball myself, and I doubt, I told somebody today, I couldn't make 
the women's team now.
  But Pat Summitt is really a legend, and she and my Chief of Staff, 
Vikki Walling were teammates at UT-Martin several years ago.
  It is not only a sense of pride to those of us from Tennessee for the 
many accomplishments that the Lady Vols have made over the years, but 
the graduation rate of the players is something, I think, that is 
really indicative of the kind of quality program that Coach Summitt and 
her staff run. And so I want to thank you, again, for bringing this to 
the floor.
  Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I just want to extend my 
congratulations to Head Coach Pat Summitt, all the hardworking players, 
the fans and the University of Tennessee. I am very happy this evening 
to join my friends and colleagues, particularly the gentlemen from 
Tennessee who spoke so eloquently about their school and honoring this 
exceptional team and all of its accomplishments.
  I ask my colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I urge that all my colleagues support this 
resolution for a wonderful basketball team, wonderful women, wonderful 
coaches and assistant coaches, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1151.
  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. KLINE of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the 
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a 
quorum is not present.
  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.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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