[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5701]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TEAM 
           FOR WILLING THE 2006 NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 2006

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recount a story of hard work and 
dedication, a story of perseverance in the face of daunting odds, a 
story of achieving what once seemed impossible. In short, Mr. Speaker, 
I want to recount a story of how the University of Maryland Women's 
Basketball Team defied all expectations to claim the 2006 NCAA 
Basketball championship. Go Terps!
  Mr. Speaker, this is a David and Goliath story. Duke has performed 
well in the NCAA tournament, having reached the Final Four in three out 
of the last five seasons. The team's starting line-up consists of 
numerous seniors, including 6-foot-7 center Alison Bales. The Terps, by 
contrast, have never competed in a national title game. The Terps' 
starting line-up has no seniors and two freshmen, including 5-foot-7 
guard Kristi Toliver.
  Mr. Speaker, last night's game was the stuff of legends. The more 
experienced Duke took immediate control of the game, and built a 13-
point lead with less than 15 minutes left in the game. Rather than 
succumb to frustration, the Terps patiently chipped away at the lead, 
with tough baskets from forward Laura Harper and freshman Marissa 
Coleman. With just seconds left in regulation, the Terps managed to cut 
the deficit to three points, setting the stage for the game's 
electrifying conclusion.
  Mr. Speaker, with 6.1 seconds left, Toliver dribbled around two 
screens and then nailed an audacious 3-pointer right over Bales. The 
shot capped the Terps' 13-point comeback and sent the game into 
overtime, where the team sealed its stunning 78-75 victory with 
confident free throws from Kristi Toliver and Marissa Coleman.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my congratulations to each of the 
members of the Terps Women's Basketball Team for their outstanding 
performance last night and all season long. The members of the 2005-
2006 Maryland Terps championship team are: Charmaine Carr, Marissa 
Coleman, Shay Doron, Kalika France, Laura Harper, Crystal Langhorne, 
Christie Marrone, Ashleigh Newman, Aurelie Noirez, Jade Perry, Angel 
Ross, Kristi Toliver, and Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood.
  The fact that 5 players on the team averaged more than 10 points per 
game this season exemplifies the Terps' selfless and team-oriented 
approach to the game. Last night's performance exemplifies their 
ability to play with grace under pressure.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my congratulations to Coach Brenda 
Frese who, in only her fourth season as head coach, guided this 
splendid team to last night's remarkable victory. I also want to extend 
my congratulations to Assistant Coaches Jeff Walz, Erica Floyd, and 
Joanna Bernabei, as well as to Director of Basketball Operations, Mark 
Pearson.
  Finally Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not put other 
collegiate sports teams on notice for the future: Fear the turtle!

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