[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 201-202]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        COMMENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA MEN'S SOCCER TEAM

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 991) commending the University of Virginia men's 
soccer team for winning the 2009 Division I NCAA National Championship.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 991

       Whereas the University of Virginia men's soccer team won 
     the 2009 Division I national championship, defeating the 
     University of Akron at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North 
     Carolina, on December 13, 2009;
       Whereas the University of Virginia played through 2 sudden-
     death overtimes and a penalty-kick shootout to defeat the 
     University of Akron;
       Whereas goaltenders Diego Restrepo from the University of 
     Virginia and David Meves from the University of Akron held 
     both teams scoreless through regulation and overtime;
       Whereas Sean Hiller scored the game-winning goal in the 
     penalty kick shootout;
       Whereas goalkeeper Diego Restrepo made 3 saves in 
     regulation, 1 save in the penalty kick shootout, and was 
     named defensive most valuable player of the College Cup;
       Whereas midfielder Jonathan Villanueva earned recognition 
     as offensive most valuable player of the College Cup; and
       Whereas head coach George Gelnovatch led the University of 
     Virginia to its sixth national championship and first since 
     1994: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates 
     the University of Virginia men's soccer team for winning the 
     2009 Division I NCAA National Championship.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Hawaii.


                             General Leave

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 
991 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H. Res. 991, which commends the University 
of Virginia's men's soccer team for winning the 2009 Division I NCAA 
National Championship.
  The UVA men's soccer team, ranked second in the Nation, collected its 
sixth NCAA championship and its first since 1994. The Cavaliers 
defeated the top-ranked University of Akron team in a penalty kick 
shootout after a scoreless regulation and double overtime play. This 
game was extremely competitive, and highlighted the athletic prowess of 
all the players on the field. After 110 minutes of grueling play, the 
game was ultimately decided with an extremely intense shootout. The UVA 
soccer team was able to accomplish its goals, edging out Akron 3-2 in 
the shootout. Their effort and talent deserves to be recognized.
  The UVA Cavaliers posted a 19-3-3 regular season record and finished 
the season with an amazing 16-game unbeaten winning streak. The victory 
also gave UVA its 19th school national championship. The team applied 
the lessons learned during the season and displayed their outstanding 
athletic skills and cohesive team strategy, allowing fewer goals to be 
scored against them than any other team in the Nation. Entering the 
title game, their last goal allowed was on October 17, in a 3-1 victory 
over Virginia Tech.
  Five Cavaliers were named to the All-Tournament team. Diego Restrepo,

[[Page 202]]

Jonathan Villanueva, Brian Ownby, Mike Volk, and Tony Tchani. 
Villanueva was also named Most Outstanding Offensive Player, while 
Restrepo was named Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the game. 
Tchani and Restrepo were named the first team All-Americans, and Tchani 
was drafted by the New York Redbulls in the Major League Soccer 
Superdraft. Even with all the individual accolades and awards, the 2009 
national championship contained a total team effort, and each member of 
the team should be commended for athletic excellence.
  Special congratulations are due to Coach George Gelnovatch. He 
wrapped up his 14th season as head coach and led his talented defensive 
team to a historic championship. He earned his 200th career victory 
during the regular season and led UVA to its fourth ACC tournament 
title during his tenure. Additionally, Soccer America named Coach 
Gelnovatch Men's Coach of the Year.
  Mr. Speaker, once again I congratulate the University of Virginia's 
men's soccer team for winning the 2009 Division I NCAA Championship 
title. I want to thank Congressman Perriello for bringing this bill 
forward. I wish the program much success in the 2010 season.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
House Resolution 991, commending the University of Virginia's men's 
soccer team for winning the 2009 Division I NCAA National Championship.
  The University of Virginia, located in Charlottesville, Virginia, was 
founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson. UVA has been synonymous with 
excellence throughout its history. It was the first educational 
institution to offer many academic programs that are common today. 
Eighty-five percent of today's freshman students were in the top 10 
percent of their high school classes, and the university is known as a 
``Public Ivy League.'' UVA was also ranked the ``Number 1 Best Value'' 
for public universities by USA Today and The Princeton Review, and 
ranked the number two ``National University'' in the country by U.S. 
News & World Report.
  The level of excellence exemplified by UVA and its students also 
extends to its athletics. The Virginia Cavaliers have won 20 national 
championships and numerous regional titles. The men's soccer and men's 
lacrosse teams are two of the most successful athletic teams at UVA.
  The Cavaliers men's soccer team won the most recent national 
championship for the university. The UVA men's soccer team captured its 
sixth national championship on December 13, 2009. During the 
championship game, the Cavaliers battled the previously undefeated 
Akron Zips in two overtime periods in a shootout. It was the second 
time a national championship for the team was decided in a shootout.
  I congratulate the University of Virginia, the team, the players, 
Head Coach George Gelnovatch, and the students, faculty, and alumni. I 
urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 991.
  I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Ms. HIRONO. Once again, Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to support this 
resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 991.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. HIRONO. 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.

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