Commending the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons field hockey team for winning the 2003 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Field Hockey Championship.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of February 3, 2004, and as the designee of the majority leader, I call up the resolution (H. Res. 497) commending the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons field hockey team for winning the 2003 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Field Hockey Championship, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 497.

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

Mr. Speaker, as a proud alumni and as a former athlete of Wake Forest University, it is my privilege to bring before this House this resolution.

On November 23, 2003, the Wake Forest University field hockey team won the NCAA Division I-A field hockey championship by a score of 3 to 1 over the Duke Blue Devils. Having also won the 2002 championship, the Lady Deacons became only the third school in Division I history to have won back-to-back championships.

The team was led by 2002 and 2003 Coach of the Year, Jennifer Averill, and 2003 All-Americans Kelly Dostal, Kelly Doton, Katie Ridd, and Lucy Shaw.

The Deacons started and finished the season ranked number one by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. They outscored their opponents 96 to 13, and they finished the year with a record of 22 and 1. The seniors finished their careers with an overall 88 and 12 record, 2 NCAA championships, 4 final-4 appearances, and 2 ACC championships. The team won the 2003 ACC regular season, ACC tournament, and the NCAA tournament, only the second time any athletic team at Wake Forest has achieved such an accomplishment. The only other team in school history that shares its distinction with last year's field hockey team was in fact the famous golf team of Jay Haas, Curtis Strange, and Lanny Wadkins who won back-to-back NCAA championships for Wake Forest.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution is but one of many awards and accolades these young ladies will receive this year. As true student athletes, though, they will all receive the most valuable award after completing their studies: a degree from one of the most prestigious and respected universities in the country.

I want to also congratulate the athletic director, Ron Wellman, and the school president, Tom Hearn, and the entire Wake Forest community and wish the field hockey team the best of luck as they seek their third consecutive title next fall.

Mr. Speaker, before I relinquish my time, since we will in a few minutes acknowledge the great success of the New England Patriots and their victory in the Super Bowl, let me take this opportunity to say as a football fan and as a Carolina Panthers fan that I congratulate the Patriots, and I also think that for football fans across this country, regardless of their allegiance, it was one of, if not the best, Super Bowls in history.

I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

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

Mr. Speaker, western Massachusetts has long been known to all in the sport of field hockey as a place to look for the rising stars of the game. Wake Forest University was lucky to get two of our best, Kelly Doton of Greenfield and Kelly Dostal of Hatfield.

I have no doubt that the successes both Kelly Doton and Kelly Dostal accomplished at Greenfield High School and Smith Academy paved their way for winning the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship. Their contributions to the Wake Forest team earned them both All-American honors.

In December, the United States National Field Hockey Association named Kelly Doton National Player of the Year. This award came after an exceptional career at Wake Forest that included being named to the NCAA All-Tournament team four consecutive years and receiving the ACC Player of the Year award for 2002 and 2003.

Kelly Dostal has enjoyed similar success at Wake Forest. The Hatfield, MA, native was the

country's leading field hockey scorer this past season. Kelly is also the youngest player to have ever been named to the U.S. National Team. There is no doubt that Kelly will continue her long list of accomplishments in her last season this fall.

I extend my congratulations to both Kelly Doton and Kelly Dostal for their individual and team accomplishments. Greenfield, Hatfield, and all of the First District of Massachusetts are proud of their acomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order at any time on Wednesday February 4, 2004, for the majority leader or his designee to call up the following resolutions: H. Res. 493, H. Res. 496, H. Res. 497, H. Res. 498, H. Res. 511, H. Res. 512, and H. Con. Res. 355; and each resolution be considered as read and the previous question be considered as ordered on each resolution to final adoption without intervening motion except (1) 1 hour of debate and (2) one motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. As the Member who has the honor of representing the district in which the Patriots play their home games, I very much appreciate, as I know the team does, the graciousness of the gentleman's remarks.