[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 4, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H2511-H2515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HUSKIES FOR WINNING 2004 NCAA
DIVISION I MEN AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 599) congratulating the University of
Connecticut Huskies for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic
Association Division I men and women's basketball championships.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 599
Whereas the University of Connecticut is the first school
to win both the men and women's Division I basketball
National Championship titles in the same year;
Whereas the University of Connecticut Huskies men's
basketball team won its second National Collegiate Athletic
Association championship by defeating Georgia Tech by the
score of 82-73;
Whereas the University of Connecticut Huskies women's
basketball team won its fifth National Collegiate Athletic
Association championship by defeating the University of
Tennessee by the score of 70-61;
Whereas Emeka Okafor was named Co-National Player of the
Year, National Defensive Player of the Year, and the Final
Four Most Outstanding Player;
Whereas Diana Taurasi was named the national women's Player
of the Year, the Final Four Most Outstanding Player and
received the Nancy Lieberman Award;
Whereas University of Connecticut Huskies men's head coach
Jim Calhoun has led his team to two National Championships in
six years, making him one of just seven coaches to ever win
two titles during his coaching career;
Whereas University of Connecticut Huskies women's head
coach Geno Auriemma has led his team to three consecutive
National Championship titles, only the second coach to
accomplish this feat, and five titles overall.
Whereas the high caliber of the University of Connecticut
Huskies in both athletics and academics has significantly
advanced the sport of college basketball and provided
inspiration for future generations of young men and women
alike; and
Whereas the University of Connecticut Huskies' championship
season has rallied Connecticut residents of all ages behind a
common purpose and triggered a wave of euphoria across the
State: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives commends the
University of Connecticut Huskies men's and women's
basketball teams for winning the 2004 National Collegiate
Athletic Championships.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Connecticut (Mr. Simmons) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons).
General Leave
Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
on H. Res. 599.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Connecticut?
There was no objection.
Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today with all of my Connecticut colleagues to
honor the 2004 NCAA Division I men and women's championship basketball
teams from the University of Connecticut, our University of Connecticut
Huskies. This resolution recognizes these teams for their outstanding
performances in this year's men's and women's tournaments and the
University of Connecticut for being the first school ever to win both
championship titles in the same year.
Mr. Speaker, every day the people of Connecticut face tough choices
when they get up in the morning. Are they going to wear their men's
championship T-shirt, or, alternatively, are they going to wear their
women's championship T-shirt? Gosh. It is hard to make that decision
because we love them both. But you cannot wear two T-shirts at once. So
my constituents in Connecticut have come up with a third T-shirt, a T-
shirt that celebrates the men's and the women's national championship
titles. And such is the solution for the day. I will wear this one
which commemorates both of my favorite teams in one T-shirt.
We have the same difficulty when it comes to Sports Illustrated.
Shall we
[[Page H2512]]
read about the women Huskies and their championship, or shall we read
about the men Huskies and their championship? Thank goodness for Sports
Illustrated. They have given us both wonderful stories in one volume.
It is just a question of picking where you begin.
Needless to say, all of us from Connecticut are excited about our
teams. This year the men's basketball team captured the NCAA
championship by defeating Georgia Tech by the score of 82-73. The team
was led by Coach Jim Calhoun, who is just one of seven coaches in NCAA
history to win two Division I titles in his career. Also this year, the
UConn women's basketball team won the NCAA championship by defeating
the University of Tennessee by a score of 70-61. Under the direction of
head coach Geno Auriemma, this victory marks the third consecutive
national championship and the fifth overall for the Lady Huskies. Coach
Auriemma is only the second coach in NCAA history to achieve three
consecutive titles.
There are many outstanding players and coaches who achieved this
amazing double victory, but I will mention no names. The reason for
that is because I remember a story told by Coach Geno Auriemma about
the women's uniforms, the Connecticut Huskies women's uniforms. If you
look carefully at the photographs, you will see that on the back of the
uniforms, there are no names. Individual stars are not recognized with
names on the uniforms. The reason for that is because Coach Auriemma
believed that the success of the squad cannot be attributed to one
individual but, rather, to the collective effort of the whole team.
I believe the victories of these two teams cannot be attributed to
one person but to every player, every coach, and indeed every fan who
participated in the 2004 season. These wins are not only important to
the people involved but also to the University of Connecticut itself
which happens to be located in my district, and I happen to have been
honored to be a teaching assistant at the university for 4 years.
The university was founded in 1881 as an agricultural college in the
small town of Storrs nestled in rural northeastern Connecticut. It was
established through the philanthropy of two brothers, Charles and
Augustus Storrs, who donated 170 acres of land with farm buildings, an
orphanage and a cash donation to pay for equipment. From these humble
beginnings, the University of Connecticut has blossomed into a premier
research university, one of the top 25 in the country. The university
has a rich history of providing educational opportunities for
undergraduates of diverse interests, ability, and backgrounds. And as
well, they have very substantial graduate programs.
I know that the entire State of Connecticut is proud of all the
players, the coaches, the students, and the faculty at the University
of Connecticut. And now I would like to join my fellow fans in the
famous Huskies cheer:
U-C-O-N-N. UConn-UConn-UConn.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I also would like to congratulate the gentleman and the University of
Connecticut. I will not be participating in the cheer, however. They
were very exciting games and a very exciting year for the University of
Connecticut. I rise in support of this resolution. I notice that the
gentleman does have a few extra T-shirts over there that I will be more
than pleased to take off his hands if he needs to get rid of any of
those extra ones.
I extend a hearty congratulations, too, to both of the head coaches,
both Coach Calhoun and Coach Auriemma. It is just fantastic. One, the
excitement of the Final Four and the college basketball tournament.
There is nothing in professional or collegiate athletics like the Final
Four and the road to the Final Four. Again, we congratulate you. We
will let you boast throughout the day today without being bitter at
all.
I want to just say, the great sportsmanship, the excellent play, the
great strategy and tactics of both coaches, it was very, very enjoyable
to watch. It was a great year. I look forward to the Ohio State
Buckeyes maybe participating in a little better fashion next year.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson).
Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Ohio for yielding me this time. I would like to associate myself with
his remarks and those of my colleague from the Second Congressional
District in Connecticut. We are indeed so proud in Connecticut; in
fact, you could say that we are in a state of euphoria with the
outstanding achievement by the men's and women's basketball teams.
Randy Smith, the great sports journalist for the Journal Inquirer in
Connecticut and perhaps one of the greatest sportswriters in this
country, remarked, ``The poets contend that April is the cruelest of
months, but the poets never met Diana Taurasi or Emeka Okafor or the
UConn Huskies.''
What an extraordinary time this was. What exemplary teams, the kids
that participated and played on those teams, their coaches and, of
course, the great fans of Connecticut. Connecticut was able to overcome
in so many respects what is commonly referred to as a curse at the
start of a season when they were both named preseason to be the number
one teams in men's and women's basketball respectively. So to have that
burden placed on you and that expectation at the outset of a season is
quite a challenge. You immediately become the target of what in
collegiate sports has become the most competitive of our sports,
basketball. As was noted by the gentleman from Ohio, when you look at
March Madness and see how it reverberates in this Chamber and
throughout the country, you get to understand and appreciate the
enormous task that these kids faced and their coaches in their
fulfillment of a dream that was extraordinary.
I further would like to acknowledge the teams that they played
against as well. The majesty that we have come to know as collegiate
athletics is such that the victories that you achieved are enhanced by
the competition that you play along the way.
In the Final Four, both Minnesota and Tennessee distinguished
themselves as outstanding teams in that tournament on their way to the
women's Final Four, two teams that Connecticut was able to defeat. By
defeating them, because of the competition and because of the great
play and the heart of both of those teams makes the Connecticut victory
even greater. The same is true in the men's game, with victories over
both Duke, an extraordinary program in history and college basketball,
and Georgia Tech. Both teams played extraordinarily throughout the
tournament. Again, Connecticut's victory is only that much greater by
the competition that it faced and the wins they were able to achieve
during those games.
I would like to also point out that the great poet, Arthur
O'Shaughnessy, used to say, ``For each age there are dreams that are
fading and dreams that are coming to birth.'' The dream is now fading
as we had a huge parade in Connecticut with more than 350,000 people
pouring out to see our victorious champions, but it is also one that is
coming to birth as child after child, as I observed the parade, could
hear them cry out and point out to their mothers and fathers, there's
Diana Taurasi, there's Emeka Okafor, there's Ben Gordon, there's Coach
Auriemma, there's Coach Calhoun. They become full of the same kind of
dreams that these coaches and athletes were able to execute on the
courts.
{time} 1530
And we think, quite frankly, without putting undue pressure on them
that they will be able to continue to perform at the highest of levels.
I especially want to acknowledge two people who know more about the
ups and downs of this team, the ins and outs of Connecticut basketball,
who, in fact, live it daily, and I guess one could say nightly as well.
They often do not get the credit that they deserve and perhaps are not
mentioned as frequently as they should be as well, but we can see them
nightly in the stands watching and observing; and with each steal, with
each turnover, with each made basket and blocked shot, their
aspirations and those for the team that they root for go up and down
with the great fans of Connecticut.
[[Page H2513]]
But they are also notable for what they do beyond the basketball
court and their countless contributions to charitable organizations,
and I am referring, of course, to the spouses, Pat Calhoun and Kathy
Auriemma, and I want to especially salute them.
Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman
from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for
yielding me this time.
I thank the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons) for introducing
this resolution. It is truly an honor for us to be here today, and it
is an honor for us to be talking about the Connecticut Huskies, about
men and women and their unbelievable demonstration of prowess and
camaraderie on the basketball court. These are the teams that made the
champion season. With the first sweep of the NCAA basketball
championships in the same year, both the men and women were successful.
The same college, they have made history, and in the process, they have
inspired legions of young people to aspire to their excellence and to
their remarkable example of teamwork.
The people of Connecticut are tremendously proud of their Huskies.
Our women's team has now won three straight national titles, four in 5
years and a remarkable 18 straight NCAA tournament games. Through it
all, they have been led by Diana Taurasi, a three-time All-American,
twice named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, once the
National Player of the Year, and now the first overall pick by the
Phoenix Mercury in this year's WNBA draft.
A fellow daughter of Italian immigrants, Diana Taurasi will be
remembered as one of the best players in the history of women's
basketball. But their 70-to-61 victory over the Tennessee Lady Vols was
without question a team effort. And the Tennessee Lady Vols are an
outstanding women's basketball team. Diana scored 17 points, Jessica
Moore and Ann Strother scored 14 points, Barbara Turner another 12
points, in addition to nine rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two
blocks.
And Derby, Connecticut's own Maria Conlon had seven points, knocking
down four straight foul shots in the final minutes to seal the victory.
It is no wonder she was called by ``Sports Illustrated'' not only a
``terrific shooter,'' but someone who ``gives hope to every woman
everywhere.'' To the Huskies, Maria brought her own brand of quiet but
steady leadership.
In every respect this was a team championship, making our Huskies an
inspiration to young girls everywhere. And I may add that the Huskies
have once again illustrated for us the results of Congress's
commitment, through Title IX, that when given the resources, women are
just as talented and as exciting to watch as any men's team out there,
and if the Members do not believe, believe ESPN.Com's Pages 2 column,
which called the UConn women's basketball team the very best sports
team in the world right now.
We have come to expect this sort of success from the women's Huskies
team, but the performances by the men's team in their one point win
over Duke in the Final Four and their 82-73 victory over Georgia Tech
for their second NCAA championship were equally as dominating. In fact,
since the tournament bracket expanded to 64 teams in 1985, UConn became
just the third school to win multiple championships.
It was another inspiring story, this one led by the son of Nigerian
immigrants. Emeka Okafor was the obvious selection for the tournament's
Most Outstanding Player award, scoring 24 points and hauling in 15
rebounds in the title game.
And by graduating a year early to enter the NBA draft, but doing so
with a degree in finance, Okafor's efforts remind us how excellence in
academics and athletics often go hand in hand. No wonder he is now
first college basketball star ever awarded a personal locker in the
Basketball Hall of Fame at the end of his collegiate career.
Two remarkable stories, two historic teams, but one indomitable
spirit. I want to congratulate the Huskies and their coaches on their
championship wins, their incredible seasons, and their inspirational
teamwork and commitment. They have earned our recognition and our
respect. Way to go, Huskies.
Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
distinguished gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) from Connecticut's
District 4.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to join my Connecticut
colleagues. This is really an extraordinary opportunity for us. I join
the entire State of Connecticut in congratulating the University of
Connecticut Women and Men Huskies for becoming the first school, ever
to have both their college basketball programs win the NCAA National
Championships in same year. It is extraordinary. Mr. Speaker, it is
absolutely extraordinary.
The Male Huskies overcame early adversity in winning their second
national championship since 1999. Despite several injuries, the UConn
Huskies simply would not be denied their second national championship
in 5 years. Led by Academic and Athletic All-American Emeka Okafor,
junior sensation Ben Gordon at shooting guard, senior leader Taliek
Brown at point guard, sharp shooter Rashad Anderson at forward, and
freshman force Josh Boone, the Huskies were a force to be reckoned
with.
I would also like to commend the hard work, the extraordinary work,
of Jim Calhoun. He has given us years of tremendously exciting
basketball. I commend him for so many things but also to say he
overcame prostate cancer to become one of only three active coaches to
win multiple national championships. The Huskies demonstrated
quickness, great outside shooting, and stifling defense; but in the
Final Four in San Antonio, they demonstrated their greatest trait,
resilience. They made us a little nervous, but they demonstrated their
extraordinary resilience.
Despite trailing 41 to 34 at half-time in the semifinal game against
Duke, our nemesis, I think of that last-second shot and feel like they
have gotten their just desserts since then. The Huskies battled back,
led by Okafor's rebounding and his 18 points to win the game 79-78. I
just love it. It was an amazing afternoon.
In the national championship game, the Huskies played nearly flawless
basketball to beat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 82 to 73.
The perennial champion UConn Lady Huskies won their third straight
national championship and fourth in 5 years. That is a dynasty. It is
an extraordinary dynasty. The Lady Huskies, led by one of the greatest
women players ever to play the game. In fact, my staff said one of the
greatest. I want to say the greatest. No one close. Diana Taurasi and
her fellow starters, Ann Strother, Jessica Moore, Barbara Turner, and
Maria Conlon, would not be denied a three-peat. Unlike the previous 2
years, the Lady Huskies had to battle back from early season setbacks
to finish the season as the number one team again.
I would also like to commend Geno Auriemma, who has put together a
streak of unbelievable seasons. He is only the second coach ever to win
three straight national championships, and he has five championships
total. In the national championship game, the Huskies jumped out to a
17 point lead and managed to hold off perennial opponent, the
University of Tennessee, eventually winning the game 70 to 61.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate these young men and women
not only for their tremendous basketball ability but also for being
such extraordinary role models for Americans of all ages. I am so proud
of each and every one of them. I truly am just in awe of what good kids
these young men and women are. They have made us proud. They have given
us extraordinary exciting times, and there is always the anticipation
that there is more good to come in the future. Right, I ask the
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons)?
Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman
from Connecticut (Mr. Larson).
Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Ohio for yielding me this time.
I again want to join with my colleagues in what is a euphoric day for
us to be on this floor. I see the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson)
is here, and I just wanted to again commend the
[[Page H2514]]
team from Georgia Tech that did beat us at the very start of this year,
and we learned from that experience, and I do think that what we have
witnessed here in this country, there is such a great love for
collegiate sports throughout the country, and rightfully so, at all
levels and in all sports. But I think we have established a new
standard here, and it is something that I think is historic, and that
is why these victories themselves present one for the ages.
Just like we had Ruth's 60 home runs, the DiMaggio hitting streak,
the UCLA 10 basketball championships, the men's American hockey team
victory over Russia, this standard that has been set where both the
division one men and women's team win successively on back-to-back
nights, national championships will become the new standard for all
collegiate sports to aspire to, especially, as is in the case of
basketball, where both men and women's teams play.
So this is an exceptional accomplishment. For the women, as has been
pointed out by both the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) and
the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays), the outstanding job that
they have done to do this three times in a row and to have the fifth
championship that the Geno Auriemma has been able to bring home to the
State, extraordinary, and Jim Calhoun's second championship as well.
This truly was one for the ages. It is one that we will truly enjoy and
appreciate long throughout our lives and only can aspire to try to
achieve that goal again, but what a goal and what a standard to strive
for.
And the academic success of our athletes should be pointed out as
well. The gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) mentioned that
Emeka Okafor was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament,
and indeed he was and demonstrated that time and time again, but he
also is an example for all students all across this country about
academic excellence. Graduating in 3 years with a 3.7 grade average
speaks highly of the quality of the individuals that come to the
University of Connecticut, participate in their athletics program, and
succeed in the manner that Emeka Okafor has as well. So it is a
wonderful tribute to a great university, to a tremendous State, and I
am just honored to be on the floor here this afternoon with our
colleagues to talk about that.
Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Earlier in my comments, I mentioned the fact that I would not be
naming individual members of the team because I wanted to make the
point that for Coach Auriemma and for the Lady Huskies, individual
performance is less important than team performance.
{time} 1545
But my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from the First District
of Connecticut (Mr. Larson), and my colleague, the gentleman from
Connecticut (Mr. Shays), and my colleague, the gentlewoman from
Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), have also pointed out the historic nature of
the accomplishment, the historic nature of the accomplishment, that,
until this year, the men's and women's championships have not been won
by any single college or university in history, in history.
On that basis, I think it is appropriate that I include for the
Record the full roster of the men's team and the full roster of the
women's team.
2003-04 Winter Women's Basketball Roster
Number, Name, Year, Position, Height, Hometown High School:
2, Ashley Valley, Jr., G, 5-9, Colchester, VT/Rice Memorial.
3, Diana Taurasi, Sr., G/F, 6-0, Chino, CA/Don Lugo.
4, Kiana Robinson, Fr., G, 5-8, Brandon, FL/Laurinburg Institute
(NC).
5, Maria Conlon, Sr. G, 5-9, Derby, CT/Seymour.
12, Stacey Marron, Jr., G, 5-9, Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva.
20, Morgan Valley, Sr., G, 6-0, Colchester, VT/Rice Memorial.
21, Nicole Wolff, So., G, 6-0, Walpole, MA/Walpole.
22, Ashley Battle, Jr., F, 6-0, Pittsburgh, PA/The Linsly School.
23, Willnett Crockett, So., F/C, 6-2, Harbor City, CA/Narbonne.
31, Jessica Moore, Jr., C, 6-3, Palmer, AK/Colony.
33, Barbara Turner, So., F/G, 6-0, Cleveland, OH/East Technical.
34, Liz Sherwood, Fr., C, 6-4, Castle Rock, CO/Highlands Ranch.
43, Ann Strother, So., G, 6-2, Castle Rock, CO/Highlands Ranch.
2003-04 Women's Basketball Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Geno Auriemma 19th Season at Connecticut (West Chester
'81).
Associate Head Coach: Chris Dailey 19th Season at Connecticut
(Rutgers '82).
Assistant Coach: Tonya Cardoza 10th Season at Connecticut (Virginia
'91).
Assistant Coach: Jamelle Elliott 7th Season at Connecticut
(Connecticut '96).
Director of Basketball Operations: Jack Eisenmann Third Season at
Connecticut.
2003-04 Winter Men's Basketball Roster
Number, Name, Year, Position, Height, Weight, Hometown High School:
31, Rashad Anderson, So., G/F, 6-5, 190, Lakeland, FL/Kathleen.
11, Hilton Armstrong, So., F/C, 6-10, 210, Peekskill, NY/Peekskill.
24, Jason Baisch, Jr., F, 6-6, 250, Southbury, CT/Pomperaug.
21, Josh Boone, Fr., F/C, 6-10, 230, Mt. Airy, MD/West Nottingham
Academy.
33, Denham Brown, So., F, 6-5, 205, Toronto, Canada/West Hill
Collegiate.
12, Taliek Brown, Sr., G, 6-1, 200, Queens, NY/St. John's Prep.
40, Justin Evanovich, Sr., G, 6-3, 195, Ann Arbor, MI/E.O. Smith
(CT).
4, Ben Gordon, Jr., G, 6-2, 195, Mount Vernon, NY/Mount Vernon.
32, Ed Nelson, Jr., F, 6-8, 265, Fort Lauderdale, FL/Georgia Tech.
50, Emeka Okafor, Jr., F/C, 6-9, 252, Houston, TX/Bellaire.
2, Ryan Swaller, Sr., F, 6-5, 208, Milford, CT/Foran.
13, Ryan Thompson, Jr., F, 6-6, 215, Gold Coast, Australia/W.
Nebraska C.C.
30, Shamon Tooles, Sr., G/F, 6-5, 225, Coatesville, PA/Coatesville.
3, Charlie Villanueva, Fr., F, 6-11, 230, Brooklyn, NY/Blair Academy
(NJ).
23, Marcus White, So., F, 6-8, 215, Chicago, IL/Whitney Young.
5, Marcus Williams, Fr., G, 6-3, 200, Los Angeles, CA/Oak Hill (VA)
Academy.
2003-04 Men's Basketball Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Jim Calhoun 18th Season at Connecticut (American
International, 1968).
Assistant Coach: Tom Moore 10th Season at Connecticut (Boston
University, 1987).
Assistant Coach: George Blaney 3rd Season at Connecticut (Holy Cross,
1961).
Assistant Coach: Clyde Vaughan 2nd Season at Connecticut (Pittsburgh,
1984).
Director of Basketball Operations: Andre LaFleur 3rd Season at
Connecticut (Northeastern, 1988).
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). Does the gentleman wish to
submit the T-shirts and hats?
Mr. SIMMONS. The T-shirts and hats will not be submitted for the
Record, because, as I indicated earlier in my statement, I wear them
around when I am at home. The hats I know I am not allowed to wear in
the Chamber, but I will display them; and Members of the body can come
and admire them later today, if they so desire.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume just to say I have been proud to be part of the Connecticut
delegation here today.
Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate
the University of Connecticut Men's and Women's basketball teams for
this historic double championship wins in the 2004 NCAA Tournament.
Today, thanks to men and women of the Huskies, Connecticut is a state
of champions.
Earlier this month, the nation learned what the people of Connecticut
knew long ago: the skill and sportmanship of the UConn Huskies is the
stuff of legends. After the ups and downs of the regular season, UConn
went on to dominate the NCAA tournament and emerged as the first school
to win both the men's and women's tournaments in the same season. On
April 6, 2004, the Husky men brought home their second national title
with an 83-72 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The next night,
the Lady Huskies went on to beat the Lady Vols of the University of
Tennessee, 70-61, fulfilling yet another historic achievement by being
the second team to capture three consecutive national titles.
This has been an unprecedented year for the Huskies, and Jim Calhoun,
Geno Auriemma, Chris Dailey, Tom Moore, George Blaney, Clyde Vaughan,
Andre LaFleur, Tonya Cardoza, Jamelle Elliot, Jack Eisenmann, and the
entire UConn basketball program should be commended for their unmatched
leadership and pursuit of excellence on and off the basketball court.
[[Page H2515]]
Once again this year, the men and women of the Huskies have proven
themselves to be the best players in the country. Players like Emeka
Okafor and Diana Taurasi personify the skill, hard work and dedication
it takes to succeed. I know that I join many UConn fans when I say that
I look forward to watching Diana play for the Phoenix Mercury, and wish
Emeka and Ben Gordon luck in the NBA draft this summer.
The men and women of the UConn Huskies have long been a source of
pride for the State of Connecticut. Their success is a reflection of
the very best qualities of our student athletes, and will no doubt
inspire young boys and girls in our state and across the country to
achieve their goals.
Not only do the huskies have the best players in the country, they
have the best and most dedicated fans. For proof of this, one needs to
look no further than the crowd of 300,000 excited UConn fans that lined
the streets of Hartford for the Husky victory parade this past Sunday.
The size of the crowd, roughly three times the city's own population,
clearly demonstrates that the Huskies have a special place in the
hearts and minds of the people of Connecticut.
I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the UConn men's
and women's basketball teams and celebrating their success. They are
truly a credit to their families, to their University, to the great
state of Connecticut, and to the nation as a whole.
Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 599.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
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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