[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 112 (Monday, July 8, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4247-S4248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 751--CONGRATULATING THE TRIUNE UNIVERSITY THUNDER 
WOMEN'S SOFTBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2023 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC 
    ASSOCIATION DIVISION III WOMEN'S SOFTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

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

                              S. Res. 751

       Whereas, on June 7, 2023, the Trine University Thunder 
     women's softball team (referred to in this preamble as the 
     ``Thunder'') won the 2023 National Collegiate Athletic 
     Association Division III Women's Softball National 
     Championship (referred to in this preamble as the ``2023 NCAA 
     National Championship'');
       Whereas that victory, just 1 year after finishing as 
     runner-up in the National Collegiate Athletic Association 
     (referred to in this preamble as ``NCAA'') Division III 
     women's softball tournament, is the first NCAA national 
     championship victory for the Thunder;
       Whereas the Thunder finished the 2023 season with a regular 
     season record of 32 wins and 4 losses, a post season record 
     of 14 wins and 2 losses, which includes 4 wins and 1 loss 
     during the National Championship tournament, and a final 
     record of 46 wins and 6 losses, which is the most wins in a 
     single season in the history of the Thunder program;
       Whereas the Thunder was led by head coach Don Danklefsen 
     and a dedicated staff;
       Whereas Carolyn Biel hit a walk-off single for the Thunder 
     to win the 2023 NCAA National Championship by a score of 1 to 
     0;
       Whereas, during the 2023 NCAA National Championship game, 
     Alexis Michon threw a complete-game shutout for the Thunder, 
     allowing just 2 hits on 79 pitches;
       Whereas, during the awards ceremony following the 2023 NCAA 
     National Championship game, 6 members of the team were named 
     as part of the NCAA Division III Women's All-Tournament Team, 
     including Cassie Woods, Emma Beyer, Emma Lee, Alexis Michon, 
     Debbie Hill, and Amanda Prather;
       Whereas freshman Debbie Hill was named ``Most Outstanding 
     Player'', sweeping the honor at every round of the 2023 NCAA 
     National Championship tournament; and

[[Page S4248]]

       Whereas the contributions of the players, coaches, and 
     support staff of the Thunder, and the entire Trine University 
     community, were instrumental in achieving the historic 
     victory of the Thunder in the 2023 NCAA National Championship 
     and providing inspiration for future generations of young 
     athletes: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Trine University Thunder women's 
     softball team for its victory in the 2023 National Collegiate 
     Athletic Association Division III Women's Softball National 
     Championship;
       (2) recognizes the dedication, perseverance, and hard work 
     of the players and coaches of the Trine University Thunder 
     women's softball team, and the students, alumni, 
     administration, and support staff of Trine University that 
     directly contributed to the victory in the 2023 National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Women's Softball 
     National Championship; and
       (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) the president of Trine University, John Shannon;
       (B) the athletics director of Trine University, Matt Land; 
     and
       (C) the head coach of the Trine University Thunder women's 
     softball team, Don Danklefsen.

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