[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 62 (Monday, April 27, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H4742-H4744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 344) commending the University of Connecticut 
Huskies for their historic win in the 2009 National Collegiate Athletic 
Association Division I Women's Basketball Tournament.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 344

       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 NCAA Division I Women's 
     Basketball Tournament in St. Louis, Missouri;
       Whereas the Huskies were undefeated with a record of 39-0, 
     defeating each of their opponents by more than double digits;
       Whereas the Huskies were undefeated for the third time 
     since 1994-1995;
       Whereas the Huskies have won 6 national titles, second most 
     in NCAA Division I women's basketball history;
       Whereas sophomore forward Maya Moore was chosen as the 
     Naismith Award winner,

[[Page H4743]]

     Wooden Award Winner, State Farm Wade Trophy Winner, United 
     States Basketball Writers Association player of the year, and 
     Associated Press player of the year;
       Whereas senior Point Guard Renee Montgomery was chosen as 
     the Nancy Lieberman award winner given to the Nation's top 
     point guard;
       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 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 members of the Final Four First All Tournament Team;
       Whereas 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, representing the team's commitment 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 season and their tireless efforts to their perfect 
     record and the NCAA championship; and
       Whereas residents of Connecticut and Huskies fans worldwide 
     are to be commended for their longstanding support, 
     perseverance, and pride in this team: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (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) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to University of 
     Connecticut President Michael Hogan and head coach Geno 
     Auriemma for appropriate display.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from the 
Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) and the gentleman from Wisconsin 
(Mr. Petri) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise, extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 344 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today to congratulate the University of Connecticut's women's 
basketball team for their victory in the 2009 NCAA Division I 
tournament.
  On April 7, women's basketball fans were treated to an exceptional 
game as the University of Connecticut defeated the University of 
Louisville. UConn battled through six ties and seven lead changes on 
their way to a comfortable 76-54 victory over third-seed Louisville, 
capping an undefeated 39-0 season for the Huskies.
  The 22-point victory was the second largest in an NCAA women's 
basketball championship game, and solidified the Huskies as the only 
women's team in the NCAA Division I history, men's or women's, to win 
every game of the season by 10 points or more.
  Louisville, finishing second to UConn in the Big East Conference 
Tournament, and regular season as well, had a remarkable season of its 
own. The Cardinals finished the season 34-5, ranked as the number two 
team in the Nation. The Cardinals knocked off two number one seeds in 
their notable run to the NCAA championship game and spent much of the 
season ranked in the top 10.
  I want to extend my congratulations to Head Coach Geno Auriemma, who 
led the Huskies to their sixth national championship during his tenure 
and was named the Naismith Coach of the Year for the sixth time. Since 
arriving at UConn in 1985, Coach Auriemma has led the Huskies to 13 
seasons with 30 or more wins. Associate Head Coach Chris Dailey and 
Assistant Coaches Jamelle Elliott and Shea Ralph round out the coaching 
team.
  Congratulations are also noted for Tina Charles of Jamaica, New York, 
and Renee Montgomery of St. Albans, West Virginia. Charles, who scored 
25 points and pulled down 19 rebounds in the championship game, was 
named the most outstanding player of the Final Four. Montgomery 
received the Honda Award, which designates the Nation's top female 
athlete in basketball.
  This remarkable season adds another victory to UConn's storied 
history in NCAA women's basketball. The University of Connecticut 
women's basketball program is known for excellence. Almost annually the 
Huskies are expected to and do serve as legitimate basketball 
championship contenders.
  I would like to thank my fellow committee member, Joe Courtney, for 
bringing this resolution to the floor. Once again, I congratulate the 
University of Connecticut for their success, and I urge my colleagues 
to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today to join in supporting House Resolution 344, commending 
the University of Connecticut Huskies for their historic win in the 
2009 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women's 
Basketball Tournament.
  On April 7 of this year, the University of Connecticut Huskies 
defeated the University of Louisville Cardinals 76-54 in the final game 
of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament in St. Louis, 
Missouri, to capture the school's sixth national title. In the season, 
the Huskies remained undefeated with a record of 39-0, defeating each 
of their opponents by double digits.
  The Huskies' success was, in large part, due to the outstanding play 
of senior point guard Renee Montgomery and sophomore forward Maya 
Moore. Montgomery was chosen as the Nancy Lieberman Award winner given 
to the Nation's top point guard, and Moore was chosen as the Naismith 
Award winner, Wooden Award winner, State Farm Wade Trophy winner, 
United States Basketball Writers Association Player of the Year and 
Associated Press Player of the Year.
  While these two players were recognized for their outstanding play, 
the championship run was a shining example of teamwork. The national 
accolades bestowed upon this team can only be attributed to Head Coach 
Geno Auriemma. Coach Auriemma has refined the meaning of success in 
college basketball in his 23 years as head coach of UConn.
  During his illustrious tenure, Coach Auriemma has transformed the 
University of Connecticut program into the standard that all others are 
measured by, both on and off the court. Under his guidance, the Huskies 
have been transformed from a program with only one winning record to 
its credit to its current state, which includes six national 
championships, nine Final Fours and 16 Big East regular season and 14 
Big East tournament titles since his arrival in 1985.
  While athletic success is what brings us here today, we should take 
time to highlight academics as well. The University of Connecticut is 
the State's flagship institution of higher learning. It was founded in 
1881 as the Storrs Agricultural School and became the University of 
Connecticut in 1939.
  UConn is a research intensive university, a prestigious designation 
shared by only the Nation's top higher education institutions. They 
have more than 70 focused research centers where faculty, graduate 
students and undergraduates explore everything from improving human 
health to enhancing public education and protecting the country's 
national resources.
  I extend my congratulations to the University of Connecticut 
President Michael Hogan, Athletic Director Jeffrey Hathaway, Head Coach 
Geno Auriemma and his staff, the hardworking players and, obviously, 
the fans.
  I wish all continued success and ask my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the good gentleman 
from Wisconsin for supporting House Resolution 344.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 344.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.

[[Page H4744]]

  Mr. SABLAN. 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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