[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15756]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SALUTE TO BRIANA SCURRY AND THE U.S. WOMEN'S WORLD CUP SOCCER TEAM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise proudly this evening to salute a 
constituent who is one of our Nation's newest sports heroes, Briana 
Scurry from Dayton, Minnesota. I also want to pay tribute to all the 
other members of our champion United States Women's World Cup Soccer 
Team who have made all Americans proud.
  In the championship game Saturday, Mr. Speaker, in Pasadena, 
California, before more than 90,000 screaming fans, two great teams, 
one from the United States and the team from China, played to a 
scoreless tie in regulation time; then, two 15-minute sudden death 
overtimes, and still a dramatic, nail-biting 0-0 tie; a shootout and 
finally a world championship for our women's team, thanks to a diving 
save by our great world-class goalie, Briana Scurry.
  Mr. Speaker, it was Briana Scurry, the Dayton, Minnesota, native who 
soared to deflect China's third penalty shot setting up the final 
victory. All of Minnesota celebrated with our Nation's sports fans as 
Briana ran to the stands following the game, slapping hands with the 
fans, the huge crowd as they chanted again and again, ``Scurry! Scurry! 
Scurry!''
  Mr. Speaker, Briana Scurry has been the number one United States 
goalie for 6 years. They call her ``The Rock,'' they call her ``The 
Wall,'' and she is both, as she showed the world Saturday night. Today, 
we call Briana and her marvellous teammates World Cup soccer champions.
  Briana Scurry, Mr. Speaker, is also a great role model for other 
young women in sports. She is a great leader both on and off the soccer 
field. Briana excelled in her political science studies in college at 
the University of Massachusetts and she also gave a great deal back to 
her community, working as a volunteer for AIDS education and awareness 
and also for the Make A Wish Foundation.
  Yes, Mr. Speaker, America's team was in good hands in this World Cup. 
There is little to worry about when Briana is in the net. She gave up 
only three goals in the entire World Cup championships and one of 
those, by the way, was kicked into our net by one of our own players. 
Briana shut out opponents four times in six games in the tournament, 
four shutouts in the six games comprising the World Cup championship.

                              {time}  2015

  Briana Scurry's work ethic, her fierce competitiveness, her engaging 
personality, great dedication and amazing talent all have had a 
powerful impact on the young women of Minnesota. Hockey may be king in 
Minnesota, Mr. Speaker, but soccer is kicking at its heels thanks to 
Briana Scurry.
  At Anoka High School, Briana led her team to the 1989 State 
championship, was named All-American and was voted the top female 
athlete in Minnesota her senior year.
  At the University of Massachusetts, Briana was the top college 
goalkeeper in 1993 and won two national ``goalie of the year'' awards 
her senior year. She led her team to the NCAA Final Four as well as to 
Atlantic 10 titles. Briana had 37 shutouts in her 4 years and a career 
goals-against average, listen to this, soccer fans, career goals-
against average of 0.56. What a tremendous record.
  So today, Mr. Speaker, we salute Minnesota's own Briana Scurry and 
all her teammates on America's World Cup championship soccer team. They 
proved what teamwork, dedication, hard work and heart can accomplish.
  Mr. Speaker, congratulations to our new World Cup champions. They are 
role models for all of us, and all Americans are proud of them.

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