[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 176 (Tuesday, October 31, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S6930]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 318--HONORING THE PORTLAND THORNS FC AS THE CHAMPION 
             OF THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S SOCCER LEAGUE IN 2017

  Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Merkley) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation:

                              S. Res. 318

       Whereas the Portland Thorns FC won the National Women's 
     Soccer League (referred to in this preamble as the ``NWSL'') 
     Championship on October 14, 2017;
       Whereas the Portland Thorns FC won the NWSL Championship, 
     an event that has been held for 5 years, for the second time 
     by defeating the North Carolina Courage by a score of 1 to 0;
       Whereas Portland Thorns FC midfielder Lindsey Horan scored 
     the only goal in the 2017 NWSL Championship and was named the 
     Most Valuable Player of that Championship;
       Whereas the Head Coach, Mark Parsons, and Chief Executive 
     Officer, Merritt Paulson, of the Portland Thorns FC won the 
     NWSL Championship for the second time;
       Whereas the Rose City Riveters and the fans of the Portland 
     Thorns FC, who provide the Providence Park venue with spirit 
     and pride, are the best fans in the NWSL;
       Whereas the Portland Thorns FC holds the record for highest 
     average game attendance in the NWSL in 2017 and has held that 
     record in each year since the establishment of the NWSL in 
     2013;
       Whereas the goalkeeper of the Portland Thorns FC, Adrianna 
     Franch, was named the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year for 2017;
       Whereas the Portland Thorns FC adopted the official State 
     motto of Oregon, ``Alis Volat Propriis'', meaning ``She Flies 
     with Her Own Wings'', to capture the independent spirit of 
     Oregon;
       Whereas the Portland Thorns FC holds community service 
     events to inspire and involve young women and men in the 
     Portland community through science, technology, engineering, 
     mathematics, and environmental education; and
       Whereas the success of the Portland Thorns FC soccer team 
     will broaden an appreciation of athletics in young people and 
     encourage Oregonians to engage in their communities: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors the Portland Thorns FC as the 2017 champion of 
     the National Women's Soccer League;
       (2) recognizes the outstanding achievement of the players, 
     ownership, and staff of the Portland Thorns FC; and
       (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) Merritt Paulson, the Chief Executive Officer of the 
     Portland Thorns FC;
       (B) Gavin Wilkinson, the General Manager of the Portland 
     Thorns FC; and
       (C) Mark Parsons, the Head Coach of the Portland Thorns FC.

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