Congratulating the Kenyon College Ladies swimming and diving team for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Women's Swimming and Diving National Championship.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi), for yielding me this time. He is a neighbor of ours. I have the Knox County area, and we share Licking County. So I want to thank him for carrying this. I also want to thank, obviously, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner). The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) who is here today, I want to thank the gentlewoman for helping with this resolution on the floor.

Also, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Owen Beetham of our staff, who is a graduate of Kenyon College who happened to prepare this resolution, so it is kind of Kenyon College Day.

But right now, Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I introduce this resolution congratulating the Kenyon College Ladies swimming and diving team for claiming the 2004 NCAA Division III swimming and diving national championship. They captured it by scoring an impressive 506 in points.

The win was particularly impressive due to the fact that the team roster was limited this year. In past years, the Ladies swam to the title with a full or nearly full championship roster of 18 swimmers. This year, however, the Kenyon team had a roster of 14 swimmers and still managed to post a winning point total.

Mr. Speaker, we all recognize that winning a national athletics championship is a tremendous accomplishment, but for these young ladies, this year's championship marks something more. It was the 20th time the Kenyon Ladies returned from the NCAA national championship victorious.

I think it is also important to take a moment to recognize Jim Steen, who is in his 28th year as the head coach of the Kenyon Swimming and Diving Program. Coach Steen's consistent and innovative contributions have produced unparalleled results: 300 men and women, All-America swimmers who have together earned nearly 2,500 All-America awards since his arrival on campus in 1976. His teams have won more NCAA events and set more national records than any other school in history.

But Coach Steen is perhaps even more proud of the fact that his swimmers have compiled a record number of athletic postgraduate scholarship awards. In fact, many of the swimmers exemplify something that is often overlooked in college athletics: the importance of being both hard-working athletes and strong academics. At Kenyon, swimming, like academics, is something one does because one wants to do it, not because one has to do it. They like the challenge and enjoy the rewards of their hard work.

I think it is safe to say Kenyon's reputation as one of the top swimming programs in the country nicely complements the fact that it is one of the elite schools of higher education in the United States because of the students and their desire to have an education and acquire an education. That marriage of athletics and academics, of hard work and strong intellect is what makes Kenyon College a remarkable place for swimmers and students alike.

We should all be proud of the accomplishments of the Kenyon Ladies swimming and diving team. The Ladies have shown us the real definition of what it is to be champions. Their hard work, dedication and desire will preserve their place in the history of collegiate athletics as the most successful women's athletics program in any division.

I could not be more pleased to represent the Ladies here today. I could

not be more pleased to represent Kenyon College in the Eighteenth District of Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 634) congratulating the Kenyon College Ladies swimming and diving team for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Women's Swimming and Diving 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 H. Res. 634.

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

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise in support of House Resolution 634. I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney), for bringing this resolution forward today. This resolution honors Kenyon College Ladies swimming and diving team for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Women's Swimming and Diving National Championship.

Today we recognize this team and the first-class athletic program at Kenyon College. Since its inaugural season in 1975-1976, the Ladies swimming and diving team has developed into a national powerhouse and has been the dominant force in Division III. Dating back to the 1983- 1984 season, the Ladies have captured 20 out of 21 NCAA national championships contested. From 1984 through 2000, the Ladies won 17 straight national championships, the second-longest national championship streak in the history of the NCAA, including all sports and all divisions.

This past season, the Ladies nailed down their twentieth national title in St. Peters, Missouri. The women won 10 of the 20 events, set two NCAA records, and posted a winning team total of 507 points. No other women's program, Mr. Speaker, in the history of the NCAA has had as many team titles as the Kenyon College Ladies Swimming and Diving programs.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney), whose district Kenyon is in.

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

Again, it is a pleasure for me to be here to honor the Kenyon College Ladies, a distinction earned by the student athletes. The remarkable repeat victories of the team reflect the dedication of each athlete, the leadership of Coach Steen, supportive family and friends and fans.

I extend my congratulations to each of the hard-working competitors on the swimming and diving team, to Coach Steen, and to Kenyon College. I am happy to join with my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney), my neighbor in Ohio, and all my colleagues in honoring the accomplishments of this team and wish them continued success.

Once again, I strongly support House Resolution 634 and ask my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 634, a resolution congratulating the Kenyon College Ladies Swimming and Diving Team for winning the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Women's Swimming and Diving National Championship.

In March, the Kenyon Ladies captured the national championship for a record 20th time in just 21 years. The Ladies' record 20th national championship came a month after placing second to Denison University at the North Coast Athletic Conference, NCAC, championships in mid- February.

I want to extend my congratulations to head coach Jim Steen, who has a remarkable record. Coach Steen has won a combined 41 NCAA titles with both the Lords and Ladies swimming and diving teams at Kenyon over the past 28 years. Seven former Kenyon swimmers are now college head coaches, while nine others are assistants. Since Steen's arrival in 1976, more than 300 Kenyon swimmers and divers have become all- Americans.

I also want to congratulate team standouts Beth Galloway for winning the 100-yard back stroke and setting a new NCAA record in this event and Agnese Ozolina, who captured first place in the 200-yard individual medley. Together, these two seniors hold 23 national titles.

I also want to extend my congratulations, Mr. Speaker, to Denison and Emory universities, who won second and third place in the final overall team standings this year. Winning the championship has cemented Kenyon University's place among collegiate sports dynasties.

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

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