[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6606-6607]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY GYMNASTICS TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 22, 2008

  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Texas 
Woman's University Pioneers gymnastics team on winning first place at 
the 2008 USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate National Championship in 
Shreveport, Louisiana. Through a show of dedication, passion and 
solidarity, the Pioneers secured the USAG National Title on Friday, 
April 18, 2008.
  The Texas Woman's University Pioneers rallied dramatically to come 
from behind and win the National Title. Their score of 194.700 was not 
only sufficient to clinch first place, but was also the team's highest 
score of the season. Additionally, many members of the team met or 
exceeded their personal best scores in the individual events.
  The Pioneers seized their first USAG National Title in 1993, with 
additional wins in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006. Their 
success at the 2008 USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate National 
Championship gives them a total of nine National Titles in the last 16 
years.

[[Page 6607]]

  Many titles and awards have been awarded to the team as a result of 
their hard work and dedication, as well as the support and guidance of 
head coach Frank Kudlac, Assistant Coaches Lisa Klein and Tim Rivera, 
Graduate Assistant Gretchen Goerlitz, and Trainer Kris Ring.
  TWU team members Courtney Arno-Templet, Jennifer Kingsbury, Nicole 
Poling, Michelle Graves, Alexa Brennan, Keri Miller, Leslie Pladson, 
Amie Boles, Amy Hulbert, Brista Michael, Kelsey Nixon, Brittany Parker, 
Tonya Pipkorn, Abbi Thomas, Mollie Blessing, Kristie Costa, Caroline 
Hilpisch, Jennifer Liberato, Lauren Sizemore, and Amanda Walker have 
carried on the Pioneer's legacy of excellence, and are outstanding 
representatives of their school and the community.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to heartily applaud the efforts and 
success of the Texas Woman's University gymnastics team. Their legacy 
of hard work and excellence shall continue to inspire others to go 
after their dreams. I am extremely honored to represent these fine 
young individuals in the 26th District of Texas, and I am confident 
that they will continue to achieve greatness in future endeavors.

                          ____________________