[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 164 (Thursday, October 17, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5902-S5903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 364--CONGRATULATING THE WASHINGTON MYSTICS ON WINNING 
     THE 2019 WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for himself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Warner, and 
Ms. Cantwell) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 364

       Whereas, on October 10, 2019, the Washington Mystics won 
     the 2019 Women's National Basketball Association (referred to 
     in this preamble as the ``WNBA'') championship;

[[Page S5903]]

       Whereas that October 10, 2019, win is the first WNBA 
     championship won by the Washington Mystics in the 22 years 
     that the Washington Mystics have been in the WNBA;
       Whereas the Washington Mystics beat the Connecticut Sun in 
     the WNBA finals;
       Whereas the Washington Mystics--
       (1) dominated the competition in the regular season, with 
     26 wins and 8 losses, the best record of any team in the 
     WNBA; and
       (2) earned the top seed in the playoffs;
       Whereas the Washington Mystics play home games at the 
     Entertainment and Sports Arena in Southeast Washington, DC;
       Whereas the 2019 roster of Washington Mystics players 
     includes--
       (1) Ariel Atkins;
       (2) Natasha Cloud;
       (3) Elena Delle Donne;
       (4) Tianna Hawkins;
       (5) Myisha Hines-Allen;
       (6) Kiara Leslie;
       (7) Emma Meesseman;
       (8) Kim Mestdagh;
       (9) Aerial Powers;
       (10) LaToya Sanders;
       (11) Kristi Toliver; and
       (12) Shatori Walker-Kimbrough;
       Whereas Emma Meesseman received the 2019 WNBA Finals Most 
     Valuable Player award;
       Whereas Elena Delle Donne received the 2019 WNBA League 
     Most Valuable Player award;
       Whereas Natasha Cloud received the 2019 WNBA Dawn Staley 
     Community Leadership award;
       Whereas the 2019 Washington Mystics coaching staff 
     includes--
       (1) Head Coach Mike Thibault;
       (2) Assistant Coach Marianne Stanley; and
       (3) Assistant Coach Eric Thibault;
       Whereas Ted Leonsis, founder, chairman, principal partner, 
     and chief executive officer of Monumental Sports & 
     Entertainment, which owns the Washington Mystics, has built a 
     culture of success and contributed greatly to Washington, DC, 
     and the surrounding region through philanthropy;
       Whereas the Washington Mystics have exhibited dedication to 
     positive social impact by strengthening communities through 
     the Mystics Care partnership with organizations in 
     Washington, DC, and the surrounding region; and
       Whereas the dedication and hard work of the Washington 
     Mystics have inspired and empowered girls, boys, women, and 
     men of all ages: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the Washington Mystics for winning the 2019 
     Women's National Basketball Association championship;
       (2) applauds the people of Washington, DC, and the 
     surrounding region for their enthusiastic support of the 
     Washington Mystics;
       (3) supports equity in men's and women's professional 
     sports; and
       (4) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the founder, 
     chairman, principal partner, and chief executive officer of 
     Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Ted Leonsis.

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