[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 78 (Thursday, May 7, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E419-E420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING UCLA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FOR WINNING THE 2026 NATIONAL 
                              CHAMPIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TED LIEU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 7, 2026

  Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the women's basketball 
team from the University of California, Los Angeles, which took home 
the 2025 to 2026 NCAA Division One National Championship on April 6, 
2026. UCLA defeated the women's basketball team from the University of 
South Carolina by a score of 79-51 to clinch the title in Phoenix, 
Arizona.
  This year's championship is the program's 1st NCAA national 
championship and 126th

[[Page E420]]

overall NCAA championship earned by a UCLA Bruins team in any sport. In 
1978, UCLA Women's Basketball won the AIAW Division One/Large College 
tournament championship.
  The team should be proud of their accomplishments, earning a number 
one rating in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls ranking 
women's basketball teams. UCLA women's basketball finished the season 
with an overall 37-1 record and a perfect 18-0 record, capturing the 
Big Ten conference championship. Led by coach Cori Close, the team 
built a strong core of student athletes who won week after week in 
games around the Nation and on the hallowed court at UCLA's Pauley 
Pavilion.
  After being selected as the number two overall in the NCAA women's 
basketball tournament, the UCLA women went perfect, making it to the 
National Championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks. UCLA 
dominated the Championship game in Phoenix, winning 79-51 and securing 
the title for themselves in dramatic fashion. This Championship was 
celebrated by the team and the greater UCLA community. To further 
highlight the accomplishments of this team, six senior players from the 
UCLA women's basketball team were selected in the 2026 Women's National 
Basketball Association draft, five in the first round, which is a WNBA 
record.
  I would like to sincerely congratulate the UCLA women's basketball 
team once again on winning the national championship and wish them the 
best of luck next season. Their performance throughout this season was 
incredible and a tribute to the achievements of student athletes 
throughout the Nation. Go Bruins.

                          ____________________