[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Pages 2939-2940]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

         HONORING THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY CHEERLEADING SQUAD

 Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, today I have the privilege and 
honor of sharing with my fellow colleagues the most recent and 
astounding accomplishment of the University of Kentucky Cheerleading 
squad. This year the UK Cheerleaders won their eighth straight 
Universal Cheerleaders Association's, UCA's, National College 
Cheerleading Championship for NCAA Division 1-A schools. These young 
men and women deserve our recognition and admiration for their efforts.
  The UK squad has now won UCA's National Championship an unprecedented 
twelve times, in 1985, 1987, 1988, 1992, and 1995-2002, more than any 
other Division 1-A school. In fact they are the only squad to ever win 
back to back championships twice and also the only team to win three, 
four, five, six,

[[Page 2940]]

seven, and now eight titles in a row. They are widely recognized as the 
best of the best in the Cheerleading community and have been a key 
contributor to the University's athletic success. The Wildcat 
basketball team is arguably the most storied program in the Nation and 
much of their success can be attributed to the enthusiasm and spirit 
generated by the Cheerleading squad. For those who have never had the 
opportunity of seeing a game in Rupp Arena, I can tell you that the 
atmosphere is absolutely electric.
  Besides the attention they receive on the court from the UK students 
and fans, the Cheerleading squad has also been covered by the national 
media. The squad has been featured on such programs as, ``Evening 
News,'' Connie Chung's ``Eye to Eye,'' and the ``CBS Morning Show,'' as 
well as in ``Southern Living,'' ``Gentlemen's Quarterly,'' ``ESPN the 
Magazine,'' and ``Seventeen'' magazines. This recognition does not come 
without a price however. These young men and women sacrifice a 
considerable amount of their time and energy practicing, learning, and 
mastering their extremely difficult routines. This often means long 
practices and endless hours in the weight room. These young men and 
women are athletes in every sense of the word.
  I applaud the University of Kentucky Cheerleading squad for their 
commitment and dedication to their goals and dreams. They represent the 
University and the Commonwealth of Kentucky in a classy and 
professional manner. I am proud of each and every one of them.

                          ____________________