[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 76 (Monday, May 18, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H5676-H5677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            COMMENDING UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA GYMNASTICS TEAM

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 386) commending the University of Georgia 
Gymnastics Team for winning the 2009 NCAA National Championship, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 386

       Whereas the University of Georgia (UGA) Gymnastics program 
     has won its 10th National Collegiate Women's Gymnastics 
     Championship;
       Whereas the University of Georgia Gymnastics program has 
     won 16 SEC Championships;
       Whereas the University of Georgia Gymnastic program has 
     produced 8 Honda Award winners;
       Whereas the 2009 national title is the program's fifth 
     consecutive national championship;
       Whereas the Gym Dogs are now the most successful gymnastics 
     program in the country;
       Whereas the University of Georgia's gymnastics team, the 
     Gym Dogs, has made 26 consecutive appearances in the NCAA 
     Gymnastics Championships;
       Whereas the 2009 Gym Dogs team's overall record was an 
     amazing 32-1;
       Whereas the 2009 Gym Dogs also achieved the school's 
     highest team GPA, 3.36;
       Whereas the gymnastics team's coach, Suzanne Yoculan, is 
     retiring as the most successful collegiate gymnastics coach 
     in NCAA history; and
       Whereas Coach Suzanne Yoculan has, in 19 of her 26 years as 
     head coach at the University of Georgia, taken her squad to 
     an SEC title, an NCAA title, or both: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the University of Georgia Gymnastics Team for 
     winning the 2009 NCAA National Championship;
       (2) recognizes that the Gym Dogs have won more national 
     championships than any other program in the Nation; and
       (3) congratulates Suzanne Yoculan for a spectacular career 
     as the University of Georgia's gymnastics coach.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 386 in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?

[[Page H5677]]

  There was no objection.
  Mr. TONKO. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to congratulate the University of 
Georgia's gymnastics team on their 2009 NCAA National Championship.
  On April 17, the University of Georgia supporters were treated to a 
10th national championship. Closing out a spectacular season for the 
Gym Dogs, while also closing the immaculate career of retiring Coach 
Suzanne Yoculan on the highest note possible.
  The Gym Dogs entered the NCAA championship as the number one seed and 
won their fifth consecutive national championship, scoring a 197.825, 
their second best point total of the season, to beat out second place 
Alabama's 197.575, and third place Utah's 197.425 in the final meet of 
Coach Yoculan's illustrious career.
  Coach Yoculan's 26-year career finishes with a long list of 
accolades: Nine NCAA championships, 16 Southeastern Conference titles, 
21 NCAA regional crowns, eight Southeastern Conference Coach of the 
Year honors, five NCAA Coach of the Year awards, 33 individual titles, 
and 57 All-Americans.
  Coach Yoculan and the Gym Dogs have also been a force in the 
community under her tenure, raising more than $125,000, assisting with 
causes such as northeast Georgia's United Way, the Athens area Habitat 
for Humanity, the Athens Regional Medical Center's Breast Health 
Center, and the Special Olympics.
  The Gym Dogs represent one of the most consistently successful 
athletic programs in NCAA history. The 2009 national champions were led 
by seniors Courtney Kupets, a three-time all-around champion, Abby 
Stack, Paige Burris, and Tiffany Tolnay. The team also included the 
juniors by the names of Lauren Johnson, Courtney McCool, Marcia Newby, 
Lauren Sessler, and Grace Taylor; sophomores Hilary Mauro and Cassidy 
McComb; and freshmen Mariel Box, Kathryn Ding, Gina Nuccio and Amber 
Trani.
  As we congratulate the Gym Dogs, Mr. Speaker, who carried a 
cumulative 3.36 GPA, we must also acknowledge the University of Georgia 
for being consistently ranked as one of the Nation's top public 
universities. UGA encompasses 16 schools and colleges that offer 
students a range of educational opportunities. UGA's graduate school 
offers 95 doctoral, 143 master's, and 19 specialist degrees across its 
programs, as well as a variety of professional development and 
portfolio-enhancing programs.
  I want to thank Representative Broun for bringing this resolution 
forward.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I congratulate the University of Georgia and 
the Gym Dogs for their consistent success.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Georgia, the sponsor of this resolution, Mr. Broun.
  (Mr. BROUN of Georgia asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my 
resolution, House Resolution 386, which honors my alma mater, the 
University of Georgia, and especially the women's gymnastic team, who 
have, once again, won the NCAA national championship.
  I would like to thank the chairman, the ranking member, and the staff 
of the House Committee on Education and Labor for working with me and 
my staff to bring this resolution to the floor.
  A new level of excellence has now been set by the University of 
Georgia's gymnastics program. For 5 consecutive years, this team has 
earned a championship crown, giving the University of Georgia the most 
successful women's gymnastics program in collegiate history and making 
Suzanne Yoculan the sport's most successful coach.
  This historic team, led by four dedicated seniors, rallied for a 
dramatic come-from-behind win to allow Coach Yoculan to retire on top. 
In fact, during 18 of Ms. Yoculan's 26 years as head coach, she has 
taken her squad to a Southeastern Conference title, an NCAA 
championship title, or both.
  The University of Georgia's women's gymnastics team certainly 
deserves our congratulations for their hard work in winning a 
championship, but they should also be recognized for their outstanding 
academic achievements. They posted a collective 3.36 GPA. Boy, that is 
something for an athlete to be able to have that kind of GPA. But to 
have the coach of a team that gives us that collective GPA, that is 
unheard of almost.
  I congratulate the Gym Dogs for another championship, and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in praising their achievements, both in and out 
of the classroom, by voting for this resolution.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, in the interest of time, I will submit my full remarks 
for the Record, but I do want to extend my congratulations to the 
University of Georgia President Michael Adams, Athletic Director Damon 
Evans, Head Coach Suzanne Yoculan, and her staff, the hardworking 
gymnasts, and the fans. I wish all involved continued success, and I 
ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 386 
commending the University of Georgia Gymnastics Team for winning the 
2009 NCAA National Championship.
  There are many words which could be used to describe the Gym Dogs at 
the University of Georgia, but without question the one constant is 
success.
  UGA's gymnastics program has won 10 National Collegiate Women's 
Gymnastics Championships, and the 2009 title represents the team's 5th 
consecutive honor. In addition, the program has won 16 Southeastern 
Conference Championships. Sixty-eight gymnasts have earned 267 All-
American awards, 33 gymnasts have won NCAA individual titles, and, for 
12 of the past 17 years, there has been at least one Gym Dog atop the 
awards stand as an NCAA individual title winner.
  Chartered by the Georgia General Assembly in 1785, the University of 
Georgia is America's first state chartered university and the 
birthplace of the American system of public higher education. With its 
statewide mission and core characteristics, UGA endeavors to prepare 
the university community for full participation in the global society 
of the twenty-first century. Through its programs and practices, UGA 
seeks to foster the understanding of and respect for cultural 
differences necessary for an enlightened and educated citizenry. UGA 
provides for cultural, ethnic, gender and racial diversity in the 
faculty, staff and student body.
  Whether it is success on the field of play, or commitment to academic 
excellence, the University of Georgia is a shining example of our 
nation's system of higher education.
  I extend my congratulations to University of Georgia President, 
Michael Adams; Athletic Director, Damon Evans; Head Coach, Suzanne 
Yoculan and her staff, the hard working gymnasts, and the fans. I wish 
all involved continued success and ask my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, the resolution before the House obviously 
congratulates an outstanding team. The Gym Dogs, under their coach at 
the University of Georgia, Coach Yoculan, have achieved great records. 
They have broken records and established a tremendous multiyear record, 
all while being great achievers in the classroom. For these reasons, I 
commend the Gym Dogs and encourage the House to support this resolution 
honoring a great team.
  I yield back my time, Mr. Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 386, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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