[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 110 (Thursday, June 24, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 291--CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA 
SOONERS SOFTBALL TEAM ON WINNING THE 2021 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC 
                ASSOCIATION WOMEN'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

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

                              S. Res. 291

       Whereas, on June 10, 2021, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the 
     University of Oklahoma Sooners softball team (referred to in 
     this preamble as the ``Sooners'') won the 2021 National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association Women's College World Series;
       Whereas, after losing the first game in the championship 
     series, the Sooners won 2 consecutive games to beat Florida 
     State University;
       Whereas the Sooners, over the 46-year history of the 
     University of Oklahoma softball program--
       (1) have won 5 Women's College World Series championships, 
     including 3 championships in the past 5 years; and
       (2) have competed in 13 Women's College World Series;

       Whereas the 2021 national championship for the Sooners 
     builds on the strong tradition of success for the University 
     of Oklahoma athletics department, the teams of which have 
     delivered 39 team national championships and 295 conference 
     titles throughout the rich history of the department;
       Whereas the Sooners were the best team in the United States 
     during the 2021 season, having never lost consecutive games 
     all season and maintaining a perfect record in their home 
     stadium to finish the season with 56 wins and 4 losses;
       Whereas, during the 2021 season, the Sooners set records 
     for team batting average, team slugging percentage, on-base 
     percentage, home runs, and runs scored on their way to a 
     fifth national championship;
       Whereas Giselle ``G'' Juarez was named Most Outstanding 
     Player of the Women's College World Series, throwing 218 
     pitches and 2 complete games to sweep the Florida State 
     Seminoles in the final 2 games of the championship series;
       Whereas Jocelyn Alo was named the USA Softball Collegiate 
     Player of the Year and the Jim Thorpe Oklahoma Athlete of the 
     Year, hitting 34 home runs and maintaining a 0.475 batting 
     average during the 2021 season;
       Whereas the Sooners players should be applauded for their 
     outstanding contributions to the University of Oklahoma, to 
     the achievement of winning a national championship, and to 
     the sport of softball, including Rylie Boone, Kinsey 
     Koeltzow, Grace Lyons, Shannon Saile, Taylon Snow, Paige 
     Knight, Olivia Rains, Kinzie Hansen, Nicole Mendes, Mackenzie 
     Donihoo, Macy McAdoo, Brooke Vestal, Nicole May, Jana Johns, 
     Grace Green, Lynnsie Elam, Tiare Jennings, Jayda Coleman, 
     Raylee Pogue, Zaida Puni, Giselle Juarez, Alanna Thiede, and 
     Jocelyn Alo;
       Whereas the Sooners coaches should be applauded for their 
     outstanding leadership of the University of Oklahoma softball 
     program and their role in guiding and mentoring young women 
     at the University of Oklahoma, including Patty Gasso, 
     Jennifer Rocha, JT Gasso, Erin Arevalo, Kelsey Arnold, and 
     Sydney Romero;
       Whereas head coach Patty Gasso has become a distinguished 
     coach and leader in the softball community, which is 
     evidenced by her--
       (1) leading the Sooners to each of the 5 national 
     championships in the history of the University of Oklahoma 
     softball program; and
       (2) racking up more than 1,300 wins in her coaching career 
     at the University of Oklahoma;

       Whereas the second game in the championship series was 
     viewed by more than 2,600,000 people, setting a new 
     viewership record for the Women's College World Series; and
       Whereas the Sooners bring pride to the State of Oklahoma 
     and the entire softball community: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the University of Oklahoma Sooners softball 
     team on winning the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association Women's College World Series;
       (2) recognizes the excellence and dedication of all 
     coaches, support staff, and players whose contributions led 
     to the victory in the 2021 Women's College World Series;
       (3) celebrates alongside the students and faculty of the 
     University of Oklahoma and Sooner fans around the United 
     States; and
       (4) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) Joseph Harroz, Jr., President of the University of 
     Oklahoma;
       (B) Joseph Castiglione, Director of Athletics and Vice 
     President for Intercollegiate Athletic Programs of the 
     University of Oklahoma; and
       (C) Patty Gasso, head coach of the University of Oklahoma 
     Sooners softball team.

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