Commending the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers for winning the 2003-2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey Championship.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 630) commending the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers for winning the 2003-2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey 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 630.

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

Mr. Speaker I rise today in support of House Resolution 630, and I thank my colleague, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), for bringing this resolution forward.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution recognizes the achievement of the University of Minnesota women's hockey team, the Minnesota Golden Gophers for their NCAA Division I championship. The Golden Gophers championship win marked a triumphant end to a remarkable season, winning 30 of 36 games and becoming the only women's team from the University of Minnesota to win an NCAA championship. The Golden Gophers defeated Harvard University by a score of 6 to 2 in the championship game, after defeating Dartmouth College by a score of 5 to 1 in the semi-final game.

In addition to their team victory, five players received individual recognition: Named to the 2003-2004 NCAA All-Tournament team. Head Coach Laura Halldorson was also honored as ``Division I Women's Coach of the Year,'' receiving this distinction for the third time since 1998.

I extend my congratulations to all of the hard-working players, Coach Halldorson and her staff, the great Gopher fans, and the University of Minnesota. I am happy to join my colleagues in honoring the accomplishments of this team, and I wish them continued success. I ask 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 just to again thank my colleagues for their kind words today and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo) for bringing this resolution forward. I am very proud to support it and encourage all of my colleagues to support it.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the University of Minnesota women's hockey team, which has added new and indisputable evidence to boost Minnesota's reputation as the State of Hockey.

The Golden Gophers women's hockey team won the NCAA championship in March, beating Harvard 6-2 in the NCAA Frozen Four in Providence, RI.

Mr. Speaker, Minnesota is truly the State of Hockey, and the members of the University of Minnesota women's hockey team are true national champions.

This was the Gophers' first NCAA championship but its second national title in 5 years, as the Gophers won the AWCHA title in 2000 before the NCAA started holding a tournament.

Mr. Speaker, I salute Coach Laura Halldorson, her staff and her great team--including all-tournament players Krissy Wendell, Natalie Darwitz, Jody Horak, Allie Sanchez, and Kelly Stephens--on their national championship and the impressive way the Golden Gophers handled themselves on and off the ice.

Krissy Wendell, of Brooklyn Park in the Third Congressional District, led the Gophers to a 30-4-2 record in this remarkable championship season. She had a goal and 3 assists in the championship game and 8 points during the Frozen Four. Krissy Wendell was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament, and the people of our area are very proud of her and her teammates.

The greatness of the University of Minnesota's 2003-2004 Golden Gopher women's hockey team is now a part of NCAA women's athletics history.

Mr. Speaker, that greatness was recognized at the White House on May 19 when the Golden Gophers women's hockey team was honored by President Bush. As the President said that day: ``I was pleased to know the University of Minnesota women's hockey team's slogan this year was `Get it done, and meet George.' It's my pleasure to meet you.''

Mr. Speaker, It is my pleasure to extend heartfelt congratulations to our national champions, the University of Minnesota women's hockey team. Congratulations on your great accomplishment, and many thanks for making the State of Hockey proud.

Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to be here to support House Resolution 630, congratulating the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers women's hockey team for their NCAA 2003-2004 women's ice hockey championship. I also want to congratulate head coach Laura Halldorson on being named the American Hockey Coaches Association's Coach of the Year for the third time since 1998.

This women's hockey team is the first women's team at the University of Minnesota to win an NCAA championship. We are all proud of the extraordinary accomplishment of all of these women. The success this team has achieved this year will help to continue to fuel women's hockey, which is exploding in Minnesota and across the country.

The success of the Golden Gophers and the ever-growing opportunities for women in sports remind us of the importance of title IX, the landmark legislation that banned sex discrimination in schools. Since its passage over 30 years ago, title IX has kicked open the door for women and girls in athletics and education; and since the passage of title IX, girls and women have gone from hoping for a team to hoping to make the team, from ringette to ice hockey.

Unfortunately, there are still some who would like to turn back the clock and see this law weakened. But as women continue to make strides toward equal opportunity, title IX must continue to remain strong. We must uphold the progress we have made, and we need to continue to expand the opportunities for our daughters, our granddaughters, our nieces, and for the next generation of young girls. Every girl and young woman must be given a chance one day to become a national champion, just as these Golden Gophers women had the chance.

Once again, I congratulate the University of Minnesota Lady Gophers on their extraordinary year.

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

I rise in support of H. Res. 630, a resolution congratulating the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women's Ice Hockey National Championship.

In March, the Gophers won their third consecutive national title, defeating the Harvard Crimson 6 to 2. I want to congratulate Shannon Miller, the 2003 American Hockey Coaches Association ``Coach of the Year,'' in leading the Golden Gophers women's ice hockey team to their third national title in just 4 years.

In addition to the titles, Coach Miller holds the top spot among all women's college hockey coaches with a .818 winning percentage.

I also want to congratulate Krissy Wendell, who led the Golden Gophers with a goal and 3 assists and scored a total of 8 points during the national semi-final and championship games. Due to her excellent play, Wendell was named the ``outstanding player'' of the tournament.

In addition, Wendell's Gopher teammates, Natalie Darwiz, Jody Horak, Allie Sanchez and Kelly Stephens also took home NCAA All-Tournament honors.

I also want to congratulate the Harvard women's hockey team for their strong performance at the Final Four on Ice this year.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), an athlete himself.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum).

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

I thank the gentlewoman from California for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, on March 28, 2004, the State of Hockey made history once

again. The University of Minnesota Golden Gopher women's ice hockey team defeated Harvard 6-2 to win the NCAA women's ice hockey championship. This marks the first NCAA championship for any women's sport at the University of Minnesota and was a true Minnesota effort as 12 of the 20 women on the roster are Minnesotans.

Winning the national championship was the crown jewel on an already spectacular season. The Golden Gophers defeated Dartmouth in the national semifinal 5-1 and former national champions the University of Minnesota-Duluth for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association championship. The Golden Gophers' final record for 2003-2004 was a stunning 30 wins, 4 losses and 2 ties.

The Gophers' championship season also yielded a number of individual honors. Coach Laura Halldorson was named the American Hockey Coaches Association's Division I Women's Coach of the Year. Sophomore Krissy Wendell was named tournament MVP. Five Golden Gophers were named to the NCAA all-tournament team: Krissy Wendell, Natalie Darwitz, Allie Sanchez, Jody Horak, and Kelly Stephens. This represents the most national all-tournament honors awarded to any Golden Gophers team in history.

Mr. Speaker, Minnesota is, and will always remain, the State of Hockey. I congratulate the players, coaches, staff, and fans for this wonderful achievement. And with most of the team back next year, we hope to be back here celebrating again.