[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 9695-9696]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING AND COMMENDING HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY'S 2003 WOMEN'S 
                            BASKETBALL TEAM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend the 
Hardin-Simmons University 2003 women's basketball team from Abilene, 
Texas, who have achieved an incredible record, including their first 
undefeated regular season in school history, a fifth straight American 
Southwest Conference Tournament title, and a fifth

[[Page 9696]]

consecutive ``Sweet 16'' appearance in the NCAA Division 3 Tournament.
  Our Cowgirls exhibited incredible determination and drive as they 
worked to set a new benchmark for their university. Their school, 
community, and district stand behind them and join in celebrating their 
accomplishments.

                              {time}  1415

  When the basketball games first began the season, the university and 
the surrounding community knew this team had a winning chemistry. The 
Cowgirls won all 24 of their regular season games, a milestone in 
school history. Games at Maybee Complex were some of the largest 
attended events the Cowgirls had ever seen, and soon Hardin Simmons 
University led the division in home attendance. With great talent and 
wide support, the Cowgirls attained their first number one ranking in 
the nation since becoming an NCAA member.
  But the Cowgirls did not stop there. They soon played some of the 
most competitive teams in the American Southwest conference and 
triumphantly won their fifth straight AFC tournament title. And their 
win made them one of only two undefeated teams in the Nation, earning 
them a spot in the coveted NCAA Division III basketball tournament and 
a number one ranking in the Nation by the ESPN USA Today Women's 
Basketball Coaches Association.
  The Cowgirls fought a tough battle at the NCAA championships. In the 
end, however, they were unable to win the title. But as Vince Lombardi 
once said, ``The spirit, the will to win and the will to excel are the 
things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the 
events that occur.'' Trophy or not, they have already won the most 
important prize, the pride, the joy, and the honor of representing 
their university and community for all of America to see. To me and 
those I represent, you, the Cowgirls, are already the biggest winners 
of all.
  None of these victories could have been achieved without the 
incredible team work that these 15 young women have demonstrated. From 
Abilene and San Angelo, Brady, and Stephenville, and all over the 
district, these women came from all areas, and through their hard work 
and efforts they became more than just teammates. They became life-long 
friends. Their names will be remembered with pride at their school and 
within our communities: Sarah Allen, Kendra Anderson, KraTaura Buckner, 
Diane Cox, Sara Dickey, Lauren Harris, Hannah Jones, Veronica Jones, 
Erika Keese, Diana Martinez, Leigh Ann Neal, Keila Remmele, Laura 
Ricci, and Terri Robinson. We will remember your victories in our 
hearts and our memories.
  The team as a whole has an incredible spirit, but one player in 
particular has achieved notable recognition for her abilities on the 
team and for women's basketball at large. Kendra Anderson has been 
named the Division III National Player of the Year by the Women's 
Basketball Coaches Association. She has been the American Southwest 
Conference's most valuable player for the third straight year, the 
conference tournament most valuable player for the fourth straight 
year, and the first team All American and All South Region for the 
third year. She was also a WBCA All Star Challenge participant with 17 
Division I All Stars. She scored an average of 20.1 points and 10 
rebounds per game this season alone. Kendra has forever raised the bar 
of excellence to a new standard for her friends and teammates to 
follow.
  We all know that a basketball team can have all the best players in 
the world, but without direction and guidance, strong leadership and 
vision, the team cannot develop and grow. That guiding force was first-
year head coach, Shanna Briggs. Miss Briggs brought out the best in her 
players, sharpened their strengths and improved their weaknesses. The 
Hardin Simmons women's basketball program will continue in future years 
to prosper under her leadership and the dedication of its players.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to give the recognition today to the 2003 
Hardin Simmons University Cowgirls, the hard work that the players and 
coaches have done to make this team the champions they are. They have 
learned, as Grace Lichenstein once said, that ``your opponent in the 
end is never really the player on the other side of the net or the 
swimmer in the next lane or the team on the other side of the field or 
even the bar you must high jump. Your opponent is yourself, your 
negative internal voices, your levels of determination.''
  The 2003 Cowgirls are examples and role models for athletes 
everywhere and proof of the powerful and resilient nature of women's 
sports. Hardin Simmons University's 2003 Cowgirls, congratulation on a 
great year.

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