[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





    SENATE RESOLUTION 493--CONGRATULATING THE FIGHTING IRISH OF THE 
 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2018 
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I WOMEN'S BASKETBALL 
                              CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. DONNELLY (for himself and Mr. Young) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 493

       Whereas, on Sunday, April 1, 2018, the University of Notre 
     Dame Women's Basketball Team (referred to in this preamble as 
     the ``Fighting Irish'') won the 2018 National Collegiate 
     Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as the 
     ``NCAA'') Division I title with a 61-58 win over the 
     Mississippi State Bulldogs, becoming 1 of only 7 women's 
     basketball programs to win multiple NCAA championship titles;
       Whereas the Fighting Irish displayed their grit and 
     determination to overcome a 15-point disadvantage to the 
     Bulldogs in the championship game, setting a record for the 
     largest comeback in a NCAA title game;
       Whereas the victory marked the second national title, the 
     first of those titles coming on Sunday, April 1, 2001, for 
     the Fighting Irish under the leadership of Head Coach Muffet 
     McGraw;
       Whereas Head Coach McGraw has excelled during her 31 
     seasons with the Fighting Irish, having--
       (1) led the Fighting Irish to their 800th win under her 
     leadership to secure their second national championship 
     title;
       (2) been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball 
     Hall of Fame in 2017; and
       (3) been named 2018 AP, USA Today, and espnW Coach of the 
     Year;
       Whereas Head Coach McGraw has been supported by assistant 
     coaches and staff including--
       (1) Carol Owens;
       (2) Niele Ivey;
       (3) Beth Cunningham;
       (4) Katie Capps;
       (5) Erica Williamson; and
       (6) Sharla Lewis;
       Whereas the full roster of the 2017-2018 national 
     championship Fighting Irish team includes--
       (1) Kristina Nelson;
       (2) Lili Thompson;
       (3) Mychal Johnson;
       (4) Kathryn Westbeld;
       (5) Brianna Turner;
       (6) Marina Mabrey;
       (7) Maureen Butler;
       (8) Arike Ogunbowale;
       (9) Jessica Shepard;
       (10) Kaitlin Cole;
       (11) Jackie Young;
       (12) Mikayla Vaughn;
       (13) Nicole Benz; and
       (14) Danielle Patterson;
       Whereas Arike Ogunbowale, junior guard for the Fighting 
     Irish, was awarded Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four 
     and scored 145 total points throughout the course of the 2018 
     NCAA tournament, which included the game-winning shots in 
     both the semifinal and final rounds of play;
       Whereas Jackie Young, sophomore guard and a native of 
     Princeton, Indiana, led the Fighting Irish to a victory over 
     the then-undefeated University of Connecticut Huskies with a 
     dominant, breakout performance, racking up 32 points and 
     pulling down 11 rebounds;
       Whereas the tradition of the Fighting Irish of excelling in 
     both athletics and academics continues to advance the sport 
     of women's basketball and provide inspiration for future 
     generations of young female athletes; and
       Whereas the spirit and achievement of the Fighting Irish in 
     the face of adversity and the dramatic conclusion of their 
     championship run inspired the respect and admiration of the 
     basketball-loving State of Indiana: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the University of Notre Dame women's 
     basketball team for its victory in the National Collegiate 
     Athletic Association (referred to in this resolving clause as 
     the ``NCAA'') tournament claiming the 2018 NCAA Division I 
     title;
       (2) recognizes the dedication, perseverance, and hard work 
     of the players, coaches, students, alumni, administration, 
     and support staff that directly contributed to the victory of 
     the University of Notre Dame in the NCAA women's basketball 
     championship; and
       (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) Reverend John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., President of the 
     University of Notre Dame;
       (B) Muffet McGraw, Head Coach of the University of Notre 
     Dame women's basketball team; and
       (C) Jack Swarbrick, Vice-President and Athletic Director of 
     the University of Notre Dame.

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