[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12904-12906]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           COMMENDING UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN'S SOFTBALL TEAM

  Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the 
immediate consideration of S. Res. 175 submitted earlier today.

[[Page 12905]]

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 175) commending the University of 
     Michigan's softball team for winning the National Collegiate 
     Athletic Association Division I Championship on June 8, 2005.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, it is with great pride that I 
congratulate the University of Michigan Softball Team on winning the 
2005 National Championship. The Wolverines completed an impressive 
season by defeating the two-time defending champion University of 
California-Los Angeles Bruins two games to one in thrilling fashion 
capped by a three run home run in the tenth inning of the final game of 
the 2005 College World Series. This victory marks the first time a team 
east of the Mississippi River has won this title and cements the 
University of Michigan program as a true national powerhouse in college 
softball. The Wolverines played with superb skill and dogged 
determination throughout the season and in the World Series to clinch 
their first championship, the second National Championship ever for a 
women's athletic program at the University of Michigan.
  The top ranked Wolverines entered Wednesday night's game hungry for 
the final win that would secure their first National Championship 
trophy. The Wolverines and Bruins split the first two games of the best 
of three series and were locked in a fierce battle in the third and 
final game to determine the ultimate victor. The Wolverines and Bruins 
ended regulation with the score tied at one run each. The tenth inning 
would prove pivotal as Samantha Findlay seized this opportunity and hit 
a three run homer to provide the boost necessary to secure this extra 
innings win. This grand display of athleticism, coupled with her play 
throughout the postseason, helped earn Findlay the Women's College 
World Series Most Valuable Player Award.
  That victory provided the perfect ending to a remarkable season for 
the University of Michigan Softball Team. After a 32 game winning 
streak at the beginning of the season, the Wolverines became the 
Nation's top-ranked college softball program for the first time in 
school history, and they were able to maintain the top ranking for the 
rest of the season. The Wolverines ended the season with 65 wins and 7 
losses, the best record in school history and was one of three schools 
in NCAA history to hit 100 home runs in a season.
  Many members of the Wolverine team have been honored for their 
efforts both on and off of the field. Eight of the team's 19 members 
were named to the Big Ten all-conference team, including five on the 
Big Ten first team. Perhaps even more impressive is that six Wolverine 
players were named to the spring 2005 Academic All-Big Ten Conference 
team. The Wolverines' pitcher, Jennie Ritter, was honored with the Big 
Ten Pitcher of the Year title and was a finalist for the Amateur 
Softball Association's USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. A 
member of the Big Ten second team, Samantha Findlay, earned an award as 
the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. The 2005 University of Michigan 
Softball team included Stephanie Bercaw, Angie Danis, Samantha Findlay, 
Alessandra Giampaolo, Tiffany Haas, Lauren Holland, Jennifer 
Kreinbrink, Grace Leutele, Becky Marx, Jessica Merchant, Rebekah 
Milian, Nicole Motycka, Jennie Ritter, Lauren Talbot, Michelle 
Teschler, Michelle Weatherdon, Lorilyn Wilson, Stephanie Winter, and 
Tiffany Worthy.
  This season proved to be an especially memorable one for Head Coach 
Carol Hutchins for several reasons. Coach Hutchins eclipsed the 900 
career win mark during the season, and her 940th win resulted in a 
championship for the Wolverines. She currently enjoys the distinction 
of being the most victorious coach in University of Michigan history 
and currently ranks among the top ten Division I active coaches in 
career wins and winning percentage.
  As we honor this impressive triumph, I am reminded of the many times 
I have had the pleasure of congratulating a strong Wolverine team. 
Michigan can be proud of this most recent success, their fifty-second 
National Championship in school history. I am proud to join Senator 
Stabenow in congratulating the University of Michigan Softball Team on 
winning the 2005 Softball National Championship. I know my Senate 
colleagues share my admiration of the poise, skill and hard work 
necessary to achieve this milestone.
  Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, I rise today to congratualte the 
University of Michigan softball team on winning the National Collegiate 
Athletic Association championship on June 8, 2005.
  Coach Carol Hutchins's team completed a remarkable season last 
Wednesday on national television when Michigan took a 4-1 lead after 
freshman first baseman Samantha Findlay hit a three run homer in the 
10th inning.
  The 2005 University of Michigan softball team had a remarkable and 
historic season. They were recognized mid-season as the top ranked 
collegiate softball team in America. They went on to win both the Big 
Ten regular season championship and Big Ten Tournament title and then 
advanced to their eighth Women's College World Series to defeat the 
two-time defending champion UCLA Bruins in the three-game series 
finals.
  I am very proud of the women on this University of Michigan team 
which finished with a school record of 65 wins and 7 losses. Several of 
Michigan's players received honors during the season for their 
spectacular play and at the end of the year for their consistent 
excellence during the season. In fact, the Women's College World Series 
Most Outstanding Player honors went to Samantha Findlay, the first 
freshman position player to be so recognized. In addition, three 
Michigan players were nominated for the USA Softball Collegiate Player 
of the Year, two of which are finalists for the award.
  The 2005 University of Michigan softball team was also very exciting 
to watch because they hit a home run in 57 of 65 games during the 2005 
season. They are just one of three schools in NCAA history to hit 100 
home runs in a season. Michigan's fans recognized this and came out in 
support of their team all year, setting a single-season home attendance 
record and bringing in the top five crowds in program history.
  Most importantly may be the honor given to six University of Michigan 
softball players that were named to the spring 2005 Academic All-Big 
Ten Conference team. I am a strong supporter of women's athletics and 
believe that through their participation and accomplishments the women 
of University of Michigan's 2005 national championship softball team, 
and all the other women involved in collegiate athletics, provide 
powerful and very positive message to girls and young women in our 
country.
  Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and preamble 
be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, 
and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record, 
without intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 175) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 175

       Whereas the top-ranked University of Michigan softball team 
     defeated the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) 
     Bruins in the Women's College World Series 2 games to 1, 
     becoming only the eighth team to win the National Collegiate 
     Athletic Association (NCAA) Softball Championship and the 
     first Big Ten Conference team to claim a national title in 
     softball or baseball since 1966;
       Whereas the University of Michigan softball team clinched 
     the 2005 Women's College World Series in an exciting extra-
     innings game with a 3-run homer in the 10th inning to win 4 
     to 1;
       Whereas the University of Michigan softball team hit a home 
     run in 57 of 65 games during the 2005 season and is just 1 of 
     3 schools in NCAA history to hit 100 home runs in a season;

[[Page 12906]]

       Whereas in 2005, the University of Michigan softball team 
     earned its first Number 1 ranking in school history and won 
     its tenth Big Ten Conference championship and seventh Big Ten 
     Tournament title en route to advancing to its eighth Women's 
     College World Series;
       Whereas the NCAA championship title marks the 52nd national 
     championship for a sports program at the University of 
     Michigan, the second for a women's athletic program at 
     Michigan, and the first for a softball program east of the 
     Mississippi River;
       Whereas the University of Michigan softball team mounted an 
     impressive season record of 65 wins and 7 losses;
       Whereas Coach Carol Hutchins eclipsed the 900 win mark, 
     capping a stellar 21 year career at Michigan that has seen 
     her become the most victorious coach in University of 
     Michigan history, currently ranking among the top 10 Division 
     I active coaches, with 940 career wins and a .729 winning 
     percentage;
       Whereas 2 University of Michigan softball players, 
     shortstop Jessica Merchant and pitcher Jennie Ritter, were 
     finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year 
     Award;
       Whereas a record-tying 8 players from the University of 
     Michigan softball team were named to the Big Ten All-
     Conference Team, and 6 players were named to the Spring 2005 
     Academic All-Big Ten Conference Team;
       Whereas the University of Michigan softball team was led by 
     the solid coaching of Carol Hutchins, Bonnie Tholl, Jennifer 
     Brundage, and Jennifer Teague;
       Whereas players on the University of Michigan softball team 
     included Stephanie Bercaw, Angie Danis, Samantha Findlay, 
     Alessandra Giampaolo, Tiffany Haas, Lauren Holland, Jennifer 
     Kreinbrink, Grace Leutele, Becky Marx, Jessica Merchant, 
     Rebekah Milian, Nicole Motycka, Jennie Ritter, Lauren Talbot, 
     Michelle Teschler, Michelle Weatherdon, Lorilyn Wilson, 
     Stephanie Winter, and Tiffany Worthy; and
       Whereas Michigan had tremendous support from its hometown 
     fans during their season, setting a home attendance record in 
     2005, and bringing in the 5 largest crowds in program 
     history: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the University of Michigan softball team for 
     winning the 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association 
     Division I Championship on June 8, 2005;
       (2) recognizes all of the players and coaches who were 
     instrumental in this achievement; and
       (3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an 
     enrolled copy of this resolution to the University of 
     Michigan athletic department for appropriate display.

                          ____________________