[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 58 (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4523-S4524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            COMMENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HUSKIES

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 107 submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
  A resolution (S. Res. 107) commending the University of Connecticut 
Huskies for their historic win in the 2009 National Collegiate Athletic 
Association Division I Women's Basketball Tournament.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. DODD. Madam President, I rise today with my colleague and friend, 
Senator Lieberman, to congratulate the University of Connecticut 
Women's Basketball team for winning the 2009 NCAA Division I Women's 
Basketball Tournament. I know that I speak for the entire Connecticut 
Congressional Delegation when I say how proud I am to be able to stand 
here and acknowledge the accomplishments of this magnificent group of 
young women.
  I have had the privilege of coming to the floor on numerous other 
occasions to applaud the Huskies for winning the NCAA Division I 
Tournament. In fact, this is the sixth time that the University of 
Connecticut Women's Basketball team has won this championship, the 
second highest number of wins in all of women's Division I history.
  As they did in 1995 and 2002, the Huskies went the entire 2009 season 
undefeated. In addition to this incredible achievement, this year's 
team added another accomplishment that is truly unique in the history 
of the NCAA, as it has never before been achieved by any NCAA 
basketball team--they bested each and every one of their challengers by 
double digits. This tremendous accomplishment undoubtedly means that 
this year's team is not only among the best to play at UCONN, but one 
of the best college teams ever.
  Numerous factors contributed to the Huskies' historic win, not the 
least of which is the steadfast dedication and well-honed skills of the 
individual players. Every player deserves special recognition for her 
work, and I would like to take a moment to specifically point out the 
achievements of the impressive trio of stars that led this year's team. 
Sophomore Maya Moore, senior point guard Renee Montgomery, and junior 
center Tina Charles all played critical roles in UCONN's victory. In 
recognition of their efforts, all three women have won numerous awards. 
Maya Moore was chosen as the Naismith Award winner, the Wooden Award 
winner, the State Farm Wade Trophy winner, the United States Basketball 
Writers Association player of the year, and the Associated Press player 
of the year. For her part, Renee Montgomery was chosen as the winner of 
the Nancy Lieberman award, an honor that is reserved for the top point 
guard in the Nation. And Tina Charles, who had a staggering 25 points 
and 19 rebounds in the championship game, was honored as the Women's 
Final Four Most Valuable Player.
  All three players were named State Farm First Team All-Americans and 
members of the Final Four First All Tournament Team. These are 
impressive awards and acknowledgments, but none of this could have been 
done without the other members of the team. These women, all of whom 
could be starters or stars at other programs, helped to deliver this 
year's national championship to UCONN. They are without question an 
impressive squad who have left an indelible mark upon the history of 
the Huskies basketball program. I would be remiss if I didn't take a 
moment to acknowledge the great play and important role that these 
women played. They are: Heather Buck; Lorin Dixon; Caroline Doty; 
Jacquie Fernandes; Meghan Gardler; Kalana Greene; Tiffany Hayes; Cassie 
Kerns; Jessica McCormack; Kaili McLaren; and Tahirah Williams.
  In addition to the impressive talents of the young women who make up 
the team, one must not forget Geno Auriemma, who has led the Huskies to 
six national championships and three undefeated seasons during his 
tenure as head coach. For his efforts, Coach Auriemma has once again 
been picked as the Associated Press Coach of the Year, a well-deserved 
honor for such an accomplished and hard-working coach. And to add 
another honor to his impressive resume, Coach Auriemma was just named 
head coach of the U.S. Women's Olympic Team. I am sure he will bring 
the same dedication and skill to bringing us another gold medal as he 
has to UCONN. Also, Chris Dailey, associate head coach; Jamelle 
Elliott, assistant coach; and Shea Ralph, assistant coach, contributed 
immensely to the success of the team.
  However, I firmly believe that the most important factor that led the 
UCONN women to victory this year is the character of each of the team's 
players. Make no mistake about it, these young women are very 
dedicated, and have worked extremely hard to get to where they are now. 
However, their tireless dedication and perseverance extend well beyond 
the basketball court. You may be interested to know that the UCONN 
women's basketball program has a 100-percent graduation rate among 4-
year players. This statistic is truly astounding given the amount of 
time each of these women must spend meticulously perfecting her skills 
on the court. Clearly, each of these women possesses an unquenchable 
desire to succeed in everything she attempts, a characteristic that 
makes the team's triumph all the sweeter.
  Madam President, thank you for the opportunity to speak about the 
accomplishments of the Huskies, a committed group of young women, whom, 
it is safe to say, are the pride of the State of Connecticut. Nothing 
demonstrates this better than the parade that was held in Hartford 
recently to honor the Huskies on their victory. A staggering 25,000 
people came out to thank the coaches and team for their season. In 
Connecticut, the Huskies are as beloved, if not more so, than any other 
sports team. We are so proud of their victory and all these impressive 
young women have accomplished both on and off the court. So from all 
the fans of the UCONN Huskies in Connecticut and throughout the country 
and indeed the world, I say congratulations on a tremendous season and 
a wonderful accomplishment.
  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or 
debate, and any statements related to the resolution be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 107) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

                              S. Res. 107

       Whereas on April 7, 2009, the University of Connecticut 
     Huskies defeated the University of Louisville Cardinals 76 to 
     54 in the final game of the National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association (NCAA) Division I Women's Basketball Tournament 
     in St. Louis, Missouri;
       Whereas the Huskies were undefeated in the 2009 season, 
     with a record of 39-0, and bested each opposing team by at 
     least double digits;
       Whereas the Huskies have won 6 national titles, the second 
     most in the history of NCAA Division I women's basketball;
       Whereas sophomore forward Maya Moore was chosen as the 
     Naismith Award winner, the Wooden Award winner, the State 
     Farm Wade Trophy winner, the United States Basketball Writers 
     Association player of the year, and the Associated Press 
     player of the year;
       Whereas senior point guard Renee Montgomery was chosen as 
     the winner of the Nancy Lieberman award, which is given to 
     the top point guard in the Nation;
       Whereas junior center Tina Charles was chosen as the 
     Women's Final Four Most Valuable Player;
       Whereas sophomore forward Maya Moore, senior point guard 
     Renee Montgomery, and junior center Tina Charles were chosen 
     as State Farm First Team All-Americans;
       Whereas sophomore forward Maya Moore, senior point guard 
     Renee Montgomery, and junior center Tina Charles were chosen 
     as members of the Final Four First All Tournament Team;
       Whereas Head Coach Geno Auriemma was chosen as the 
     Associated Press Coach of the Year;
       Whereas the University of Connecticut women's basketball 
     program has a 100 percent graduation rate among 4-year 
     players, exemplifying the commitment of the team to 
     achievement in the classroom as well as on the court;
       Whereas each player, coach, athletic trainer, and staff 
     member of the University of Connecticut Huskies dedicated 
     their time

[[Page S4524]]

     and tireless efforts to the perfect record of the team and 
     the NCAA women's basketball championship title; and
       Whereas the residents of Connecticut and Huskies fans 
     worldwide are to be commended for their longstanding support, 
     perseverance, and pride in the University of Connecticut 
     Huskies: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the University of Connecticut Huskies for 
     their historic win in the 2009 National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association Division I Women's Basketball Tournament;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, 
     students, and support staff who were instrumental in the 
     Huskies' victory; and
       (3) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to 
     transmit a copy of this resolution for appropriate display to 
     the President of the University of Connecticut, Michael 
     Hogan, and the head coach of the University of Connecticut 
     Huskies, Geno Auriemma.

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