[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 20064-20065]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING COWGIRLS FOR WINNING THE 
                WOMEN'S NATIONAL INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 384) congratulating the University of Wyoming 
Cowgirls for winning the Women's National Invitational Tournament for 
the first time and for their most successful season in school history.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 384

       Whereas on March 31, 2007, the University of Wyoming 
     Cowgirls defeated the University of Wisconsin Badgers by a 
     score of 72-56 in the championship basketball game of the 
     Women's National Invitation Tournament;
       Whereas the victory of these 14 very accomplished young 
     women and their coach, Joe Legerski, was witnessed by over 
     15,000 fans at the University of Wyoming's sold out Arena-
     Auditorium;
       Whereas the Cowgirls won 21 games in their regular season 
     and tied for second in the Mountain West Conference (MWC);
       Whereas Jodi Bolerjack scored 16 points in the championship 
     game and earned Third Team All-MWC honors;
       Whereas Elisabeth Dissen scored the last shot for the 
     Cowgirls of the first half, giving the team a 39-26 lead;
       Whereas Megan McGuffey scored back-to-back layups in the 
     second half, totaling 10 points for the game, and received 
     the MWC Newcomer of the Year honor;
       Whereas Justyna Podziemska scored 16 points in the 
     championship game, had 10 rebounds, and 8 assists;
       Whereas Dominique Sisk scored 5 points, had 2 assists, and 
     7 rebounds for the Cowgirls;
       Whereas Rebecca Vanderjagt scored 4 points and had 1 block 
     during the championship game;
       Whereas Aubrey Vandiver brought a strong end to the first 
     half, shooting or assisting the last seven points;
       Whereas Hanna Zavecz scored 12 points and earned the award 
     of the Women's National Invitation Tournament Most Valuable 
     Player;
       Whereas Amy Bolerjack, Mallory Cline, Annie Gorenstein, 
     Angiah Harris, Gemma Koehler, and Megan Mordecai also 
     contributed to the team's top season; and
       Whereas these top athletes are also dedicated to academic 
     achievement, and serve as the standard of excellence, 
     scholarship, and sportsmanship for the entire Nation: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives congratulates 
     the University of Wyoming women's basketball team for their 
     championship victory in the 2007 National Invitational 
     Tournament.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. 
Biggert) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may insert material relevant to House Resolution 384 into the 
Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the University of Wyoming 
Cowgirls for winning the 2007 Women's National Invitational Tournament 
basketball tournament.
  On March 31, 2007, the University of Wyoming won the Women's NIT by 
defeating the University of Wisconsin Badgers 72-56. The Cowgirls won 
the title in front of the largest women's basketball audience in school 
history, with over 15,000 in attendance.
  Wyoming had their most successful season in team history, winning 21 
regular-season games and tying for second in the Mountain West 
Conference. Overall, the Cowgirls finished 27-9, besting the previous 
team record of 25 wins, a record which had stood for nearly 30 years. 
They also advanced deeper into postseason play than any Cowgirls 
basketball team before them.
  I want to congratulate head coach Joe Legerski, athletic director Tom 
Berman, University of Wyoming president Tom Buchanan, and the student 
athletes who won the NIT title.
  I also want to extend my congratulations to the University of 
Wisconsin Badgers on their impressive season. Wisconsin finished their 
season with a school record 23 wins. Their 17 home wins were also the 
most in program history.
  Winning the NIT title for the first time proved the Cowgirls have 
arrived as a force on the national scene, and I know all the fans of 
the university will continue to be proud of this team for years to 
come.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 384, 
congratulating the University of Wyoming's women's basketball team for 
winning the 2007 NCAA Division I Woman's National Invitational 
Tournament Championship.
  On March 31, 2007, the University of Wyoming Cowgirls basketball team 
defeated the University of Wisconsin by a score of 72-56 to capture the 
NIT title and conclude their most successful season in school history.
  Led by junior Hanna Zaveckz, the tournament MVP, and junior Jodi 
Bolerjack, who scored 16 points in the championship game, the Cowgirls 
of Wyoming truly had a remarkable season in which they compiled a 
record of 27-9, finishing second in the Mountain West Conference.
  The tournament title capped what ended up being the most successful 
season ever for the Cowgirls basketball team in school history. No 
Wyoming Cowgirls team had won as many games. The previous record was 
set by the 1978-79 team, which finished at 25-7, and no team ever 
advanced so far in postseason play.
  As the State's sole 4-year educational institution, the University of 
Wyoming receives strong support from the State and its residents, 
making it the perfect place for a great learning environment. The 
university was recently ranked by the Princeton Review as one of the 
Nation's best colleges for 2006, and the College of Business Department 
of Economics and Finance was also ranked 10th in the Nation and 12th in 
the world for its program in resource and environmental economics.
  I extend my congratulations to head coach Joe Legerski, athletic 
director Tom Berman, president Tom Buchanan, all of the hard-working 
players, the fans and to the University of Wyoming.
  I'm happy to join my good friend and colleague Representative Cubin 
in honoring this exceptional team and all the accomplishments, and wish 
all involved continued success.
  I join with my colleague from the Education and Labor Committee, Mr. 
Sarbanes, in support of this resolution.
  I have no further speakers and would yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this 
measure, and I yield back my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I might also ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include extraneous material on House Joint Resolution 
44, as amended, that was previously discussed.

[[Page 20065]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 384.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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