[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2228-2229]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO UCONN HUSKIES WOMEN'S BASKETBALL RECORD-BREAKING STREAK

 Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, it's my pleasure to rise in 
tribute to the University of Connecticut Huskies women's basketball 
team, which on Saturday, January 18, made Division I history by winning 
their 55th consecutive game. In doing so, they surpassed the 54-game 
streak set by Louisiana Tech between 1980 and 1982 and delighted fans 
all across my state.
  Fifty-five straight wins would be an incredible accomplishment in any 
sport at any time. But it's especially impressive in women's college 
basketball today, because this is an era of true parity in the sport. 
There are so many strong teams able to compete with and, on any given 
night, beat a great team like the Huskies. But the Huskies keep on 
working, and they keep on winning. At home and on the road, in blowouts 
and in squeakers. Sometimes they win with defense. Sometimes with 3-
point shooting. Sometimes with pure hustle. But they always find a way.
  It's no wonder the Huskies have an admirer in legendary UCLA coach 
John Wooden, whose UCLA men's basketball teams in the early 70s set an 
all-time Division I record with 88 straight wins. Coach Wooden said of 
what the Huskies have accomplished, ``It's a tremendous feat in any 
era. I think they play the pure game, more so than the men. The best 
college basketball in my opinion is played by the better women's 
teams.''

[[Page 2229]]

  Of course, last year the very best team in the nation was UConn, 
which racked up a perfect 39-0 season en route to the national 
championship. The players on that team, led by All-American seniors Sue 
Bird, Tamika Williams, Swin Cash and Asjha Jones built the bulk of this 
record streak.
  And this season, a team led by All-American junior Diana Taurasi and 
many terrific young players is in the hunt for the championship again. 
There will be many tough games to play. Just this Monday, January 20, 
they matched up against Notre Dame and extended the streak to 56. And 
on February 1st, they will play Duke, now ranked first in the country.
  Competition isn't about perfection. It's about perseverance. I'm 
reminded of the words of Michael Jordan, who said, ``I have missed more 
than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 
occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot . . . and 
I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And 
that's precisely why I succeed.'' So even if, if, the team should lose 
someday, the real measure of their character will be how they bounce 
back, what they learn, how they become an even better team because of 
it.
  So much of the credit for this team's success goes to coach Geno 
Auriemma, who has built the best program in the nation during his 18 
years in Storrs. Assistant Coach Chris Dailey has also played a pivotal 
part in the remarkable run. The Huskies have won three national 
championships over the last seven years. They have made 14 straight 
NCAA tournament appearances and won a combined 23 Big East regular and 
tournament championships. Over the last three years, they've amassed an 
astounding 123-4 record.
  I wish them luck in the weeks and months to come as they seek to 
extend the streak further. This has been a month of history in women's 
college basketball. Tennessee coach Pat Summit just won her 800th game, 
and the Huskies won their 55th straight victory. It's a golden time for 
the sport, and for all the fans who love it.

                          ____________________