[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Pages 25672-25673]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATING NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S LACROSSE TEAM

  Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 824) congratulating the Northwestern University 
Wildcats on winning the 2009 NCAA women's lacrosse championship, and to 
commend Northwestern University for its pursuit of athletic and 
academic excellence.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 824

       Whereas the Northwestern women's lacrosse team serves as 
     important role models to young athletes, demonstrating 
     excellence on the athletic field and in the classroom;
       Whereas Northwestern defeated North Carolina 21-7 to win 
     the national championship on May 24, 2009;
       Whereas Northwestern finished the season with a 23-0 record 
     to win their fifth straight national championship; and
       Whereas senior Hannah Nielsen won the Tewaaraton Trophy, 
     given to the Nation's top player, and played a vital role in 
     helping Northwestern to a 23-0 record in 2009, finishing her 
     distinguished career as the Wildcats' all-time leader in 
     points (398) after becoming the NCAA Division I all-time 
     assist leader with 224: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates Northwestern University and its athletes, 
     coaches, faculty, students, administration, and alumni on the 
     winning of the 2009 NCAA women's lacrosse championship;
       (2) recognizes and commends Northwestern University for its 
     pursuit of athletic as well as academic excellence; and
       (3) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     make available enrolled copies of this resolution to 
     Northwestern University President Henry S. Bienen, Athletic 
     Director James Phillips, and Head Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller 
     for appropriate display.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 824 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Puerto Rico?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PIERLUISI. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 824, which 
recognizes and congratulates the Northwestern University Wildcats for 
winning the 2009 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship and for pursuing 
athletic and academic excellence.
  The Wildcats posted a 23-0 regular season record and broke NCAA 
records both for total points and total goals in a season. The team 
applied the lessons learned during their undefeated year and displayed 
their outstanding athletic skills and cohesive team strategy in post-
season play, trailing only once during the entire tournament.
  On May 24, 2009, the University of North Carolina Tar Heels cut the 
Northwestern Wildcat's lead to two goals midway through the first half 
of the championship game. Northwestern responded with 10 consecutive 
goals to win its fifth straight NCAA championship in women's Division I 
lacrosse. The team's 21-7 victory over the Tar Heels set the record for 
goals scored in the title game.
  Special congratulations are due to Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller, who now 
boasts a 20-1 record in the NCAA tournament. Amonte Hiller took over a 
program that had club status, and not only brought the team to official 
collegiate standings, but amassed five national championships and six 
conference titles in just eight seasons. The seniors on this team had 
one of the most successful collegiate athletic careers.
  Recognition also should be given to senior Hannah Nielsen, who won 
the Tewaaraton Trophy for the second year in a row. This award is given 
to the Nation's top lacrosse player by the Tewaaraton Foundation.
  Northwestern University succeeds not only on lacrosse fields, but in 
its classrooms as well. It ranks 12th in the 2010 national university 
rankings issued by U.S. News & World Report and boasts a 92.5 percent 
graduation rate, an amazing statistic for any university.
  In addition to over 70 established majors, Northwestern University 
empowers students to choose or design nontraditional concentrations and 
offers a wide range of field experiences and internships. It is an 
institute of higher learning from which its graduates, including its 
athletes, go on to accomplish great things and make important 
contributions to our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, once again I congratulate the Northwestern University 
women's lacrosse team on its 2009 Division I NCAA championship title. I 
wish the program much success in the 2010 season.
  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 824, 
congratulating the Northwestern University Wildcats on winning the 2009 
NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship and to commend Northwestern 
University for its pursuit of athletic and academic excellence. As a 
graduate of Northwestern University School of Law myself, I am 
especially proud to join in honoring these talented women and the 
school they represent.
  On May 24, 2009, the Northwestern University women's lacrosse team, 
the Wildcats, capped a perfect 2009 season by routing third ranked 
North Carolina 21-7 to capture its fifth straight national 
championship, finishing the year 23-0.

[[Page 25673]]

  The Wildcats continued to etch its place as one of the top programs 
in the history of the sport, becoming just the second team to win five 
consecutive national titles. They are just two shy of Maryland's seven 
straight wins from 1995 to 2001, and the victory over the Tar Heels, 
16-5, was Head Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller's 20th consecutive tournament 
victory.
  At Northwestern University, these dynamic women demonstrate 
excellence on the athletic field as well as in the classroom. Founded 
in 1854, Northwestern University combines innovative teaching and 
pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment that 
transcends traditional academic boundaries. It provides students and 
faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal, and 
professional growth.
  Northwestern is recognized both nationally and internationally for 
the quality of its educational programs at all levels. U.S. News & 
World Report consistently ranks the university's undergraduate and 
graduate programs among the best in the country. The Northwestern 
women's lacrosse team serves as an important role model to young 
athletes.
  Congratulations to Northwestern University's president, Morton 
Schapiro; athletic director, James Phillips; head coach, Kelly Amonte 
Hiller; senior, Hannah Nielsen, who won the Tewaaraton Trophy given to 
the Nation's top player; the entire Wildcat team; the faculty, staff, 
and Northwestern students on this victory.
  Today, we recognize and commend Northwestern University for its 
pursuit of athletic as well as academic excellence. I urge my 
colleagues to support House Resolution 824.
  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
Northwestern University Wildcats women's lacrosse team as the 2009 NCAA 
champion. This season marks the team's fifth straight national 
championship win and solidifies Northwestern University as a national 
leader both in academic and athletic excellence.
  The Northwestern University women's lacrosse team is looked upon as a 
role model by young athletes in the Chicagoland area, maintaining the 
highest standard of excellence both in the classroom and on the field. 
Most noted, is senior Hannah Nielson. Hannah has been honored as the 
nation's top lacrosse player with the Tewaaraton Trophy due to her 
exemplary performance as the Wildcat's all-time leader in points and by 
helping to lead her team to 23-0 victory in 2009.
  Furthermore, I would like to extend my congratulations to the 10 
Wildcat seniors Hilary Bowen, Mary Kate Casey, Laura Clemente, Casey 
Donohoe, Meredith Franks, Caitlin Jackson, Ali Jacobs, Morgan Lathrop, 
Hannah Nielson and Meghan Plunkett who have finished their amazing 
collegiate careers with an 85-3 record including four American Lacrosse 
Conference titles and four NCAA national titles.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. 
Res. 824, a resolution I introduced to congratulate the Northwestern 
University women's lacrosse team for winning its fifth consecutive 
national championship.
  Mr. Speaker, the Northwestern University lacrosse team completed the 
2009 season with a record-setting 21-7 victory over North Carolina in 
the NCAA championship game on May 24. It capped a perfect 23-0 season 
for head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller and her team, joining the 2005 team 
as the second undefeated team in school history.
  The Wildcats faced numerous challenges in seeking their fifth 
consecutive championship, yet they rose to meet that challenge each and 
every time. For instance, when trailing Penn 12-11 with time running 
out in the first overtime period of the NCAA semifinals, Katrina Dowd 
flipped a miracle shot over her shoulder while falling to the turf, 
which somehow scored with 0.2 seconds remaining, tying the game at 12. 
The team went on to win the game in the second overtime period.
  As a team, the Wildcats set NCAA single-season records for points 
(570) and goals (407), while also leading the nation in draw controls 
(16.9 per game). Individually, Hannah Nielsen became the NCAA's single-
game (10), single-season (83) and career assist leader (224). Sixteen 
of Northwestern's 23 wins came against ranked opponents, and they were 
a perfect 10-0 at home, extending their home winning streak to 54, an 
NCAA record.
  In addition to the team honors, six Wildcats were awarded All-
American honors by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches 
Association (IWLCA) and U.S. Lacrosse. Hannah Nielsen and Katrina Dowd 
were named to the first team, while Hilary Bowen, Meredith Frank and 
Danielle Spencer all earned second-team honors and goalkeeper Morgan 
Lathrop was a third-team selection.
  In addition to being successes on the athletic field, this team is a 
success in the classroom as well. Fourteen members of the team were 
honored this year as being academic all-Big Ten honorees. The lacrosse 
team had 14 academic all-Big Ten honorees. And Senior Hilary Bowen was 
named ESPN the Magazine Women's At-Large Academic All-American of the 
Year.
  Lastly, while this team's intelligence, athletic prowess and 
determination are evident, I would like to share a story that 
demonstrates the team's heart and commitment to their community. During 
the 5-year championship run, the Northwestern lacrosse team has made an 
enduring and lasting friendship with 10-year-old Jaclyn Murphy. The 
friendship began as the Wildcats did what they could to raise the 
spirits of a young girl diagnosed with a brain tumor. Today, that 
friendship between NU and Jaclyn continues to deepen. After seeing the 
impact the team had on his daughter, Jaclyn's father Denis started the 
Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, a non-profit organization created to 
raise public awareness regarding pediatric brain tumors. To date, over 
three dozen collegiate and high school teams have ``adopted'' children 
with brain tumors.
  In conclusion Mr. Speaker, this team represents our nation's ideal of 
what the student athlete should be. Not only are the members of this 
team fantastic athletes and steller students, they are also wonderful 
people. I would like to recognize all the team members: Bea Conley, 
Danielle Spencer, Shannon Smith, Katrina Dowd, Rachel Fox, Kim 
Pantages, Erin Fitzgerald, Lizzie Abramson, Taylor Thornton, Alexandra 
Frank, Lacey Vigmostad, Colleen Magarity, Samantha Suntulli, Ali 
Cassera, Amanda Macaluso, Brooke Mathews, Gabrielle Flibotte, Maggie 
Bremer, Kirstyn Atkinson, Maria Tedeschi, Jessica Russo, Alexa Delyra, 
Brittany Wilbon, Darby St. Clair-Barrie, Brianne LoManto, and Sara 
Harrington, as well the coaches Kelly Hiller, Lindsey Munday, Ann 
Elliot, and Scott Hiller. I feel privileged to represent this team in 
Congress and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

                              {time}  1500

  Mrs. BIGGERT. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PIERLUISI. Having no additional speakers, Mr. Speaker, I ask that 
my colleagues support the resolution, congratulating the Northwestern 
University Wildcats for winning the 2009 NCAA Women's Lacrosse 
Championship.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Pierluisi) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 824.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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