Congratulating the University of Connecticut Huskies for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men and women's basketball championships.

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.

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.

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. 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

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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

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

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. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) from Connecticut's District 4.

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.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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. 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. 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. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson).

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