Congratulating the University of Portland women's soccer team for winning the 2002 NCAA Division I national championship.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 41) congratulating the University of Portland women's soccer team for winning the 2002 NCAA Division I national championship.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 41.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of House Resolution 41. This resolution recognizes and honors the talent and accomplishments of the University of Portland women's soccer team.

In December, the Pilots won their first-ever national title in a 2- to-1 win over Santa Clara University at the 2002 NCAA Women'S College Cup. The Pilots ended their season with an impressive 20 win, 4 loss, 1 tie record.

The Pilots' victory exemplifies the determination and dedication that is a hallmark of collegiate athletic programs. A national championship is an accomplishment that will characterize the University of Portland's women's soccer team as a viable competitor for years to come.

Congratulations are in order to Head Coach Clive Charles and the entire women's soccer team at the University of Portland. I am happy to join the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) in honoring this extraordinary team in all of its accomplishments, and I wish all involved a very successful future.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is only appropriate, particularly in light of the remarks of the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), for us to acknowledge at this time that after the tragic passing of our colleague Patsy Mink, Title IX was named after Patsy Mink and will forever carry that name.

Secondly, I think it is important to understand that the opportunities provided by Title IX were the underpinning which allowed teams like the Portland Pilots Women's Soccer Team to reach the heights of achievement in NCAA collegiate athletics. All of us in this House are proud of the achievements of women's teams at the collegiate level and are committed to the continuing excellence of women's athletics and men's athletics at the collegiate level, without the exclusion of anyone. And I feel honored to have been one to have known Mrs. Mink, and I am honored today to acknowledge that Title IX has been named after Mrs. Mink.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, would the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) wait for just a minute? I want to make a clarification.

Mr. Speaker, I think I heard that in the State of Georgia 85 percent of the money appropriated by the legislature went to men's athletic facilities.

I yield to the gentlewoman from California.

Mr. Speaker, it is unconstitutional and illegal in the State of Georgia for the State to spend any tax money on athletic facilities. Those all have to be done either privately by booster clubs in the secondary schools, and in post-secondary schools by the foundations of the universities. But we cannot in the State of the Georgia spend any public money on athletic facilities. I just wanted to make that clarification.

Mr. Speaker, there was no State funding. That is the point I want to clarify.

I thank the gentlewoman.

We are investing in their education and urging them to raise the funds to support their athletics, men and women.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I will just take a minute and close, if I can. The original purpose of this resolution is to commend an outstanding university in the Pacific Northwest. It is the women's soccer team that won the NCAA Division I championship, and I encourage all of my colleagues to vote for that, and I support it.

I also realize it is an opportunity to pontificate on title IX, and I am very proud of the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) and others who have acknowledged the achievements of this body long before I got here in providing access and opportunity to collegiate athletics to women at a time in which those were deprived.

I think it is unfortunate to take a positive resolution like this, however, and speculate that a review 30 years later of title IX is an attack. In fact, if anything, because of the richness that title IX has brought to intercollegiate athletics, the benefits it has brought to athletics for women, the opportunities, as the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez) says, it was given to Olympic sports to raise America's participation and success in the Olympics is a foundation for it to be perfected and improved for the future, not attacked or demeaned.

So I am not suspect of any commission reviewing any operation that after 30 years has proven to be successful and carried out its intended progress, and I am very happy to have had an opportunity to commend a group of young women who reached the highest achievement in their field in the United States of America, the Portland Pilots. I commend them, Clive Charles, their coach, my colleagues, and title IX.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy in yielding me time and the kind words both he and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson) had.

It is an honor to recognize the outstanding achievement of the NCAA Women's Soccer champions from the University of Portland to share with the rest of the country the excitement in Portland as the Pilots brought home the university's first national championship.

It must be noted that this is not just an achievement of an outstanding group of young women. It is a symbol of the achievement of an outstanding institution in Portland, Oregon. Once a small regional Catholic college, the University of Portland has grown in prestige and esteem, drawing a diverse student body from across the United States and around the world. The U.S. News and World Report last year ranked the university as one of the top five regional universities in the Nation.

The faculty, students and trustees can be justly proud of the accomplishments of the last quarter century under the leadership of Father Paul Waldschmidt, the late Father Tom Oddo, and more recently, President David Tyson.

The leadership of these presidents and trustees has had a tremendous impact on the academic programs and the physical development of the campus. But the University of Portland's Women's Soccer Team symbolizes that level of achievement, commitment and dedication. The Pilots Women's Soccer Team has for over a decade compiled an outstanding record, six times reaching the highest levels in play-off competition. But one must understand that these players are students first.

The University of Portland has one of the highest rates of graduating student athletes among the NCAA Division I colleges and universities across the country.

The soccer program at the University of Portland has produced women athletes who are today household names in the soccer world like Tiffeny Millbrett, Shannon MacMillan, both Olympians. They are role models for our community, for young women in Portland and around the country.

I have watched my own daughter and her high school teammates be inspired by their example. I have watched these outstanding college athletes share their skill and knowledge of the game with children in the community. Part of this achievement is due to the outstanding coach, Clive Charles who, along with leading the Pilots to victory on the field, recently fought and won a difficult battle against cancer. He is one of only five coaches in NCAA history to win 400 games. All of those, we are pleased to say, are with the University of Portland.

Even by the university's high standards, this particular win was special. This determined team fought from the eighth seed in the tournament to take it all, as has never been done before in college cup history. While one hesitates to single out specific players on this outstanding team, four Pilots were named to the all-tournament team, including Sinclair, Arase, defender Lauren Orlandos, and midfielder Erin Misaki.

I would be remiss not to mention the numerous records that were broken by the team in this effort. Christine Sinclair set an NCAA tournament record with 21 points on 10 goals and one assist, shattering Mia Hamm's 1993 record of 16. Lauren Arase allowed just one goal in the 2002 play-offs, setting an NCAA record for play-off goals, an average of 0.016, allowing just one goal in six games. Her gutsy effort was recognized in a recent New York Times article chronicling her will to push on despite a terrible injury in the championship game, illustrating the continued significance of Title IX.

The Pilot women who brought this title are the pride of an outstanding university. There is no more fitting symbol of the power and purpose of women's athletics than their championship. I am pleased that President Bush will honor the team with a White House ceremony later this month, and I am pleased the House of Representatives is honoring them today with this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, in this time of war, recession, and national tragedy, it is important for us to emphasize the positive and reflect on the great achievements and moments that we have shared in the past year. I rise today to honor the University of Portland's women's soccer team for its outstanding achievement in the intercollegiate championship.

On December 8, 2002, the University of Portland women's soccer team captured its first collegiate national soccer championship. This achievement is even more special because it is also the first national championship in any sport for the University of Portland. Under the leadership of head coach, Clive Charles, the University of Portland Pilots, the tournament's number 8 seed, defeated seven nationally ranked opponents, including a 2-1 title game triumph over the reigning champion, Santa Clara University. The Pilots now hold the record as the lowest-seeded team to win the women's national championship in its 21 year history.

I applaud Coach Charles for the program he has helped build at the University of Portland. He has successfully built a nationally recognized collegiate soccer program, leading the University of Portland women's and men's teams to a collective 12 conference championships and 16 NCAA playoff berths, and producing players for the United States National and Olympic teams.

But it is the players that I truly want to congratulate today. Cristin Shea, Betsy Barr, Imani Dorsey, Rebekah Patrick, Kristen Moore, Erin Misaki, Kristen Rogers, Wanda Rozwadowska, Emily Patterson, Christine Sinclair, Kelsy Hollenbeck, Lauren Orlandos, Jennifer Bosa, Valerie Fletcher, Lindsey Huie, Lauren Arase, Jessica Heller, Colleen Salisbury, and Kim Head have all dedicated numerous hours and much hard work ensuring their team's success. Their efforts paid off! In addition to this title, a number of players walked away with new records. Sophomore Christine Sinclair now holds or ties NCAA playoff records for goals and points in a game (3 goals, 1 assist vs. Richmond), goals in tournament (10), and points in a tournament (21). And Lauren Arase allowed just one goal in the 2002 playoffs, setting an NCAA record for playoff goals against average (0.16), allowing just one goal in six games.

This team is a tribute to Oregon and to Portland. It is also a tribute to the long-term benefits of Title IX, which gives hope to this team and to the young women who are rising through the ranks of sports all across the playing fields of America. I congratulate the players on their stunning victory, and I wish them even more success in the years ahead!

Ms. McCarthy of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of H. Res. 41, to congratulate the University of Portland women's soccer team for winning the 2002 National Championship. Congratulations to the team and their coach for an amazing season.

The University of Portland's Soccer Team is just another wonderful example of the success of Title IX.

When I was growing up in New York, girls weren't given many opportunities to play league sports and were instead encourage to cheer the guys on or play a smaller version of their game, but certainly not to participate at the same competitive level as men.

But in 1965 Patsy Mink came to Congress and she changed the education opportunities offered to women. She fought to bring equality to our colleges and universities and for the first time ever, girls were given the opportunity to play sports at the same level as boys.

Mr. Speaker, if there ever was a successful federal program Title IX is it. Today, five time as many women play college sports, and an incredible 10 times as many play high school sports as in 1972 the year Title IX passed.

From basketball to soccer, we have seen women sports programs flourish. I am truly proud of the soccer players in Oregon and I am thrilled to be a supporter of Title IX.

Mr. Speaker, today we rise to congratulate the University of Portland women's soccer team and Coach Clive Charles, on their 2002 Division I national title. As a former coach of young women athletes in Oregon, I recognize the commitment to endless practice and debilitating repetition that winning requires.

The University of Portland Pilots women, in addition to making the sacrifices necessary for victory, represent the competitiveness, resolve, and success that collegiate athletics exist to foster. I urge the recognition of their recent feats as evidence of the triumph of the American spirit through sporting achievement, as well as the positive influence of Title IX on American society.

The Pilots' road to the national championship required them to defeat seven squads that held coveted national rankings, proof that their opponents were among the Nation's finest.

Those seven wins serve as a testament to the Pilots' collective commitment to playing hard, even against competition of the highest caliber. Surely there is no greater evocation of the collegiate athletic spirit than the competitiveness exhibited by the University of Portland women in those hard-fought wins against well-respected opponents.

After a solid regular season, the Portland women entered the championship playoff as an eighth-seeded longshot to earn the eight- seeded longshot to earn the title. Nevertheless, they emerged as the lowest seeded team ever to win the tournament.

The resolve necessary to prove rankings obsolete and critics wrong does not come without effort. In fact, many of us encourage our daughters and sons to participate in athletics with the express hope that they might develop a touch of that trait. With the University of Portland's women's soccer championship, we are reminded that resolve, the persistence in a goal despite exorbitant odds, is at least as important as size, talent, or experience. Undoubtedly, the Portland women have drawn on the strength and perseverence of their coach and leader, Clive Charles, whose battle with illness illustrates the victory over circumstance that we admire in collegiate athletics.

Finally, in developing a national championship program, the University of Portland women's soccer team was animated by the desire to stack the building blocks of victory upon one another, to complete a project born of the architecture of accomplishment. A national title came to the University of Portland not through unprecedented fortuitous circumstance, but from the execution of a plan for success. Concentration on conference titles and tournament

berths provided the women's soccer program a foundation of achievement on which it has placed a structure of greatness. In doing so, the Portland women have made the most important point about collegiate athletics.

These women display the character built by extended effort, the satisfaction reaped by the tireless pursuit of a goal, and the success within reach of all who are given an opportunity.

Let us also take this moment to remember that opportunity seized is dependent upon opportunity granted. Without Title IX, our discussion of women's soccer at the University of Portland might center on its lack of a team, rather than on its team's national championship. When women have the chance to compete in scholarship athletics at the collegiate level, we introduce into society a more competitive, balanced, and healthy universe of graduates.

Title IX has extended the opportunity to compete to thousands who would not have had it otherwise. The University of Portland women attest to the potential of opportunities granted by Title IX.

Again, I ask that we salute the 2002 National Champion University of Portland women's soccer team. May we look to them, now and in the future, as an exemplary symbol of what we hope to gain through our commitment to collegiate and scholastic athletics.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 41 congratulating the University of Portland's women's soccer team for winning the NCAA Division 1 championship.

On December 8, the University of Portland captured its first national championship. In fact, this is the University of Portland's first national championship in any sport.

I want to start by extending my congratulations to Head Coach Clive Charles and to all of the athletes on the University's winning squad.

Winning a championship brings national acclaim to a school, and the team's players and fans should treasure this exciting moment.

While it is important that we focus on this victory, it is also critical to recognize how opportunities for women in sports have grown and the impact of title IX.

This win by the University of Portland Women's Soccer Team reminds us of the value and importance of this landmark statute.

Unfortunately, Title IX is once again under attack. The administration's Commission on Opportunity in Athletics recently proposed so-called reforms to Title IX that would undermine this important civil rights statute. The commission's reports would recommend that girls and women be provided less athletic opportunity than boys and men by loosening protections and safeguards that have existed for many years. The commission was formed by Secretary Paige to advance the administration's agenda to weaken the opportunity for women and girls on the athletic field.

With Title IX successes over the 3-plus decades of its existence why would we want to weaken it now? Women now constitute more than 40 percent of

those involved in college athletics, as opposed to 15 percent in 1972.

While we may be confronted with proposals to change Title IX, I would advise the administration not to propose initiatives to weaken this critical law.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to thank the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) and the rest of the Oregon delegation for introducing this resolution, and again to extend my congratulations to the University of Portland's Women's Soccer Team.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson) has been very supportive of Title IX, and he and I shared our great admiration of Mrs. Mink. I appreciate his comments.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).

(Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.