[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 8581-8583]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1200
    CONGRATULATING EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

  Ms. FUDGE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1292) congratulating the Emporia State 
University Lady Hornets women's basketball team for winning the 2010 
NCAA Division II National Championship, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1292

       Whereas the Emporia State University (ESU) Lady Hornet 
     basketball team defeated the Fort Lewis Skyhawks by a score 
     of 65 to 53 to win the 2010 NCAA Women's Division II National 
     Championship in St. Joseph, Missouri, on March 26, 2010;
       Whereas this is ESU's first ever women's national 
     basketball championship and the first national championship 
     in any sport since being crowned the 1984 NCAA NAIA Women's 
     Softball National Champions;
       Whereas the ESU coaching staff of head coach Brandon 
     Schneider and assistant coaches Jory Collins and Kiel Unruh 
     guided the Lady Hornets to a final record of 30 wins and only 
     5 losses;
       Whereas the 2010 National Champions consisted of seniors 
     Cassondra Boston, Jamie Augustyn, Lacy Corker, and Sophia 
     Lenard, juniors Ashley Ferrell, Negesti Taylor, Kayla 
     Krueger, Dava Logsdon, and Alli Volkens, sophomore Brittney 
     Miller, and freshmen Rachel Hanf, Jocelyn Cummings, and 
     Kelsey Newman;
       Whereas ESU was led by the overall Most Outstanding Player 
     of the tournament, Alli Volkens, who recorded 16 points, 15 
     rebounds, and five blocks in the championship game; and
       Whereas the students, staff, alumni, and friends of Emporia 
     State University along with the city of Emporia, Kansas, 
     deserve much credit for their support of the Lady Hornet 
     basketball team: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the Emporia State University Lady Hornet 
     basketball team for winning the 2010 NCAA Division II 
     National Championship; and
       (2) recognizes the achievements of all the team's players, 
     coaches, and support staff.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. McCollum). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Fudge) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Petri) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Ohio.


                             General Leave

  Ms. FUDGE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for 5 legislative 
days during which Members can revise and extend their remarks on H. 
Res. 1292.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. FUDGE. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Emporia State 
University women's basketball team for winning the 2010 NCAA Division 
II Women's Basketball National Championship.
  The Emporia State Lady Hornets defeated the Fort Lewis College 
Skyhawks 65-53 in an exciting game. The Lady Hornets took home their 
school's first-ever women's basketball national championship title. 
Their victory was also Emporia State's first national championship win 
in any sport since 1984.
  This Lady Hornets women's basketball season marked Coach Brandon 
Schneider's 10th season with Emporia State University. Coach Schneider 
and assistant coaches Jory Collins and Kiel Unruh guided the Lady 
Hornets to a final record of 30 wins and only five losses.
  Sensational junior center and Elite 8 Most Outstanding Player Alli 
Volkens led the Hornets to their victory with 16 points, 15 rebounds, 
and five blocks in the game. A back-and-forth night for most of the 
game, the Lady Hornets started to pull away midway through the second 
half thanks to a 10-0 run. Rachel Hanf scored 15 points and was a 
perfect 3 for 3 from behind the arc.
  The alumni, faculty, and staff of Emporia State University have much 
to be

[[Page 8582]]

proud of. Once again I congratulate the Lady Hornets on winning their 
first NCAA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship and I 
thank Mr. Moran for bringing this resolution forward.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1292, 
congratulating the Emporia State University Lady Hornets women's 
basketball team for winning the 2010 NCAA Division II National 
Championship.
  On March 26, 2010, the Emporia State University Lady Hornets defeated 
the Fort Lewis Skyhawks 65-53 in the NCAA Division II women's 
basketball national championship in St. Joseph, Missouri, and captured 
the Hornets' first-ever women's basketball national title and the 
university's first national title since 1984.
  The Hornets' success was due, in large part, to Alli Volkens. Alli 
Volkens was named the overall Most Outstanding Player of the tournament 
and recorded 16 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks in the 
championship game alone. While this player was recognized for her 
outstanding play, the entire team is responsible for the success of the 
team as NCAA Division II national champions.
  The national accolades bestowed upon this team can only be attributed 
to Head Coach Brandon Schneider and assistant coaches Jory Collins and 
Kiel Unruh.
  While athletic success is what brings us here today, Emporia State is 
also known for its excellent academics. Emporia State University aims 
to provide a dynamic and progressive student-centered learning 
community that fosters student success through engagement in academic 
excellence, community and global involvement, and the pursuit of 
personal and professional fulfillment. Emporia State University is 
located in the heart of the Flint Hills, Kansas, area. The university 
serves 6,500 students in four different colleges. Founded in 1863, ESU 
is noted today for their programs in business, library and information 
management, and liberal arts and sciences.
  I extend my congratulations to Emporia State University Head Coach 
Brandon Schneider and his entire staff, the hardworking players, and 
the fans. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, seeing no other requests for time, I yield such time 
as he may consume to our colleague from Kansas, Jerry Moran.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise and join my colleagues 
here today to recognize a group of young women from Kansas who 
exemplify the meaning of teamwork: the 2010 Emporia State University 
Lady Hornets, who this year won the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball 
National Championship.
  Teams in my home State of Kansas and across the plains know the 
Emporia State University Lady Hornets all too well. Under the direction 
of Head Coach Brandon Schneider, the Lady Hornets have developed into a 
powerhouse of women's college basketball from the Mid-America 
Intercollegiate Athletics Association, the MIAA.
  Heading into the 2009-2010 season, Coach Schneider had led the Lady 
Hornets to 10 NCAA tournament appearances, six MIAA regular season 
conference championships, three MIAA tournament conference 
championships, four NCAA South Central Regional Championships, and two 
NCAA Division II Final Four appearances. Moreover, at the conclusion of 
this season, Emporia State University had been ranked as the NCAA 
Division II Top 25 for the last 13 seasons and has been ranked in the 
top 10 in weekly polls for a total of 125 weeks since 1998, more than 
any other program in the country.
  So what's the secret to success with this program? Ask anyone at 
Emporia State University, and they will point out that the young women 
are more than just a collection of basketball players. As the 2009-2010 
Women's Basketball Media Guide explains: ``Being part of a women's 
basketball program is special because not only do the Lady Hornets come 
together to win games on the court, but they also come together as a 
family off the court.''
  Even while players have been selected to the All-MIAA team, the MIAA-
All Tournament team and even the Division II All-American Team, being a 
part of the Lady Hornets is not about the individual accolades, it is 
about teamwork, and teamwork has been their recipe for success.
  Expectations were high for the 2010 season. And the Lady Hornets did 
not disappoint. They began the season by winning 19 of their first 20 
games and were ranked as high as number four in the national polls. 
However, they lost three of their last five games, including the second 
round upset in the MIAA tournament in Kansas City. Their season seemed 
to be heading off track. Most teams with such high hopes and high 
expectations would have easily lost that hope, but the Lady Hornets 
were determined to overcome these setbacks and never let their dream of 
becoming a national championship team die.
  After a quiet trip home from Kansas City to Emporia following the 
loss, and a little time together, the team refocused on their ultimate 
goal and traveled to Canyon, Texas, for the South Central Regional. 
Emporia State University dominated the regional and left West Texas 
with a ticket to the Elite 8 where the Hornets would next meet some of 
their fiercest competition of the year.
  After wins against the number 3-ranked Michigan Technological 
University Huskies and the number 1-ranked Gannon University Lady 
Knights, the Hornets headed to the national championship game. On March 
26, 2010, the Lady Hornets defeated the Fort Lewis Skyhawks by a score 
of 65-53 to capture their first-ever women's basketball championship.
  Emporia State University athletes, coaches, students, alumni, 
faculty, and fans have much to be proud of after a season of hard work 
and dedication. After appearances in six national championship games in 
four sports, this is the first national championship in any sport since 
being crowned the 1984 MIAA Women's Softball National Champions. But 
this victory is special because it a testament to the power of 
teamwork. Good teams are able to overcome adversity, and that is 
exactly what the 2010 Emporia State University Lady Hornets managed to 
do en route to a national championship.
  Congratulations to the Lady Hornets team, seniors Cassondra Boston, 
Jamie Augustyn, Lacy Corker, and Sophia Lenard; juniors Ashley Ferrell, 
Negesti Taylor, Kayla Krueger, Dava Logsdon, and Alli Volkens; 
sophomore Brittney Miller; and freshmen Rachel Hanf, Jocelyn Cummings, 
and Kelsey Newman. Congratulations to the ESU coaches, head coach 
Brandon Schneider and assistant coaches Jory Collins and Kiel Unruh.
  Also, ESU athletic director Kent Weiser and ESU president Michael 
Lane deserve credit for all of their support of the team, as does 
assistant athletic director for media relations Donald Weast. Finally, 
congratulations to the Emporia State fans, some of the most dedicated 
in all of college basketball who have waited a long time for this 
accomplishment.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in commending the 
outstanding accomplishments of the 2010 Emporia State University Lady 
Hornets, a truly great team of players who know there is no ``I'' in 
team. Please join me in supporting H. Res. 1292 today.
  Mr. TIAHRT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H. 
Res 1292, and to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Emporia 
State University Lady Hornets for winning the 2010 NCAA Division II 
National Championship, their first national championship. They continue 
the proud tradition of Kansas basketball, going all the way back to 
James Naismith.
  The Lady Hornets had a difficult road to the championship, defeating 
Tarleton State and West Texas A&M to reach the Sweet Sixteen. Their 
solid defense helped them advance with an impressive 76-45 win over 
Northeastern State. They reached the Final Four with a win over 
Michigan Tech. The very next day they faced top-ranked and undefeated 
Gannon University. The game went into overtime, but Emporia State 
prevailed, 97-94. The Lady Hornets earned the national championship 
with

[[Page 8583]]

their 65-53 win over Fort Lewis College. We were impressed with all of 
the Hornets, and especially with junior Alli Volkens, who led the team 
with 16 points, 15 rebounds, 5 blocked shots, and earned the title of 
Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.
  I want to recognize head coach Brandon Schneider, assistant coaches 
Jory Collins and Kiel Unruh, and the entire Lady Hornets team--
Cassondra Boston, Jessen Tucker, Rachel Hanf, Jocelyn Cummings, Jamie 
Augustyn, Lacy Corker, Kelsey Newman, Brittney Miller, Sophia Leonard, 
Ashley Ferrell, Negesti Taylor, Kayla Kruger, Dava Logsdon, and Alli 
Volkens. Their championship is a testament to their hard work 
throughout their season, their effective coaching, and their dedication 
to teamwork. Congratulations, Lady Hornets.
  Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. FUDGE. Madam Speaker, I urge support of H. Res. 1292, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Fudge) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1292, as amended.
  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. FUDGE. Madam 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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