Commending the University of Connecticut Huskies for their historic win in the 2010 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament.

Mr. Speaker, Vince Lombardi, the legendary NFL coach once said, ``Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.''

That beautiful statement, I think, really describes to a ``T'' the UConn women's basketball team, which today stands as a history-making organization with 78 straight wins. They are now only 9 wins short of catching the record by the UCLA men's basketball team led by Coach Wooden back in the 1960s. And there are a lot of us in Connecticut, and I am proud to represent the district where the University of Connecticut is located, who are confident that we are actually going to see that milestone fall sometime during next year's basketball season because of the amazing talent that has been assembled at the University of Connecticut campus, but also the system that Coach Auriemma has put together over the last number of years.

Again, I want to thank the other Members who have gone through chapter and verse, in terms of the incredible season, which the UConn women accomplished. Again, it's a team that last year won the national title. There was tremendous pressure every single game to see whether or not their winning streak would actually come to an end. Every team that played them was as pumped up and psyched as any game on their schedule because they saw it as an opportunity to make history, and the pressure on the UConn women Huskies was extraordinary, as was the national media focus as the program, again, advanced its amazing record from one game to another. Again, it was something that these young men and women had to demonstrate that they were capable of overcoming.

As the proponent said earlier, the thing that we are so proud about is that Coach Auriemma has maintained a program where academic excellence, the true ideal of student athletes, is something that has never been forgotten. The graduation rate has been perfect since he has been there. It's, again, a great role model for not just young girls in the U.S. but also young boys in

terms of really the goal of a student athlete path towards success in life.

Mr. Speaker, last year when the UConn women won the national title, they had the exciting honor to go visit the White House for an event at the Rose Garden. President Obama, who was obviously, as we all know, a big basketball fan, welcomed them to the White House. And as the father of two young girls, he spent a lot of time with them, getting a chance to become acquainted and then, actually, challenged them to a game of H-O-R-S-E in the outdoor basketball court which exists at the White House.

Much to the astonishment of people in Connecticut, and also to the women's basketball team, President Obama actually won the game of H-O- R-S-E. And at a reception that we had a short time afterwards, the women were very upset with themselves, but also pointed out correctly that they were playing in high heels and dresses while the President had flat shoes and certainly, I think, had some advantage in terms of that impromptu pickup game which took place last year.

At the Christmas party this year, which I am sure maybe you and others in the Chamber had an opportunity to attend, I reminded the President that the women at UConn were still pretty upset about the fact that they lost that game of H-O-R-S-E at the White House. Mrs. Obama, who is ever gracious, leaned over and said, well, we will invite them back to come back and play again. And I told both the President and the First Lady, don't worry, UConn women are coming back with an invitation, because they are going to win the national title in the 2010 season.

So they have lived up to my prediction, which was made at the Christmas gathering at the White House last year. In a short time, I am sure there will be another Rose Garden celebration of their extraordinary success. I would bet my house and car that they are this year going to win the game of H-O-R-S-E, which they are spoiling for a rematch at the White House with the President.

Again, it's something that the people of the State of Connecticut are so proud of there was a huge celebration last Saturday in Hartford. There were over 25,000 people lining the streets of Hartford to cheer on this amazing group of young women and the amazing program which Coach Auriemma has guided. He will now be the U.S. coach for the national team, women's team, and he will be the coach for the next U.S. Olympic team, which he certainly deserves given the amazing record which, again, the prior speakers have described in chapter and verse.

Again, Coach Lombardi once said, ``Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.'' This young group of women, I think, have shown that they have certainly achieved excellence and they have just about shown perfection with what they have achieved this year, and I hope that this Chamber will affirm that great accomplishment by unanimous support for this resolution. I thank, again, the Speaker and the proponent for giving me the opportunity to speak on behalf of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1239) commending the University of Connecticut Huskies for their historic win in the 2010 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members can revise and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1239 into the Record.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the University of Connecticut's women's basketball team for winning the 2010 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship.

At the final buzzer in this year's championship game, the UConn Huskies roared to their second straight championship win and a history- making 78th straight win of the season. With their 53-47 victory that Tuesday night at the Alamodome, the UConn Huskies and the Stanford Cardinals both played with exceptional talent and dedication. In the end, UConn seized their seventh NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. The Huskies became the first women's basketball team to have back-to- back undefeated national championship seasons. With their 78 straight wins, UConn also broke the NCAA women's basketball record for number of consecutive wins.

The Huskies women's basketball season marked Coach Geno Auriemma's 25th season at UConn, and his seventh NCAA Women's Basketball Championship victory. Auriemma has led UConn to the Final Four a total of 11 times during his time with the team, and this game was his 735th career win as a coach. In fact, he has the highest winning percentage among the Division I active coaches. Auriemma has also guided UConn to five Big East regular season titles and 14 Big East Tournament titles.

The sensational junior forward Maya Moore was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, scoring 23 points during the championship game. She scored 11 of her team's 17 points during the second half, leading UConn's comeback from the first half and giving the Huskies their solid lead. She has been a leader and a remarkable asset to the Huskies all season.

Senior center Tina Charles also proved to be an invaluable player. She was chosen as the Naismith Award winner and Associated Press player of the year. She was later drafted number one overall in the 2010 WNBA draft and recently signed with the Connecticut Sun.

I also congratulate the Huskies on their excellence both on and off the court. The Huskies women's team boasts a flawless 100 percent graduation rate in 2009 amongst all 4-year players. The alumni, faculty, and staff at the University of Connecticut have much to be proud of.

Once again, I congratulate the UConn Huskies winning the national championship, and I thank Mr. Courtney for bringing this bill forward.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield as much time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).

Mr. Speaker, again, I ask all my colleagues to support House Resolution 1239, as amended.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1239, Commending the University of Connecticut Huskies for their historic win in the 2010 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament. On March 6, 2010, the Huskies capped an undefeated season by beating the University of Stanford Cardinal 53-47 in the NCAA Championship game. There are many things that make this team impressive, but to show just how dominant they were, this was their only victory all season where they defeated an opponent by less than 10 points. With 78 straight wins, they broke their own record for all-time consecutive victories.

Throughout their unbelievable run, the UConn women's basketball team has captivated the state of Connecticut with their awe-inspiring talent. Tina Charles' tremendous play at center earned her recognition as both the United States Basketball Writers Association and the Associated Press Player of the Year. Additionally, she was named the Naismith Award winner and the Wooden Award winner. Although she will graduate this year, she will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the all-

time greats to play for the Huskies. Junior Maya Moore received outstanding honors by being named the State Farm Wade Trophy Player of the Year and being named the Most Valuable Player in the Final Four. Both Moore and Tina Charles were chosen as First-Team All-Americans.

Connecticut is home to one of the most accomplished and successful teams in the history of collegiate athletics. Under Head Coach Geno Auriemma, we in Connecticut have become accustomed to excellence year in and year out. He has led the Huskies to seven championships, including four undefeated seasons. He also holds the highest winning percentage of any active coach in women's collegiate basketball.

The Women Huskies have captured the hearts of fans all across the nation with their exemplary work on and off the court. In every game, the team played with a passion and desire only displayed by champions. This entire team of remarkable women: Heather Buck, Tina Charles, Lorin Dixon, Caroline Doty, Kelly Faris, Jacquie Fernandes, Meghan Gardler, Kalana Greene, Tiffany Hayes, Kaili McLaren, and Maya Moore exemplify what a student-athlete is supposed to be. As they carry their winning streak into next season, I know they will continue to make us proud.

I am proud to join Connecticut's Congressional Delegation, my colleagues in the House of Representatives, and Husky Nation in celebrating the UConn Women Basketball team's seventh NCAA Women's National Basketball Championship, second perfect season in a row and record 78-game winning streak.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1239, commending the University of Connecticut Huskies for their historic win in the 2010 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women's Basketball Tournament.

On April 6, 2010, the University of Connecticut Huskies defeated the Stanford University Cardinals 53-47 in the NCAA Division I women's basketball national championship in San Antonio, Texas, capturing the Huskies' seventh national title. As a Stanford graduate, I was disappointed, but the undefeated Huskies overpowered each of their regular season opponents as well by more than 10 points, certainly a very worthy opponent.

In large part, the Huskies' success was due to senior center Tina Charles and junior forward Maya Moore. Tina Charles was chosen as the Naismith Award winner, Wooden Award winner, United States Basketball Writers Association player of the year and Associated Press player of the year. Moore was chosen as the State Farm Wade Trophy player of the year and as the Women's Final Four Most Valuable Player. While these two women were recognized for their outstanding play, the entire team deserves our praise and for the unparalleled success of the team as NCAA Division I national champs.

However, this program would not be what it has turned out to be today without the outstanding efforts of the head coach Geno Auriemma. During his illustrious tenure, the coach has transformed a program from only one winning season to a team with a record that includes seven national championships, four undefeated seasons and a record 78 consecutive wins. Not bad.

While athletic success is what brings us here today, the University of Connecticut is also known for its excellent academics. The University of Connecticut is the State's flagship institution of higher learning and was founded in 1881 as the Storrs Agricultural School and became the University of Connecticut in 1939.

In fact, the university has more than 70 focused research centers where faculty, graduates students and undergraduate students conduct research on everything from improving human health to enhancing public education and protecting the country's natural resources.

I extend my congratulations to the university, the president of the University of Connecticut, Head Coach Geno Auriemma and his staff, and the hard-working players and the fans.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1239, which recognizes the tremendous accomplishments of the University of Connecticut women's basketball team. The University of Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team has emerged as one of the most outstanding teams in the history of college sports. On April 6, 2010, the Huskies defeated the Stanford Cardinal in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA, Division I women's basketball national championship in San Antonio, Texas.

This victory gave the Huskies their seventh national championship, second only to the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers' eight championships. This season the Huskies went undefeated, ending the season on a record 78 game winning streak, a streak that has lasted since the beginning of the 2008-2009 season. As a former college basketball player, I understand the hard work, intense focus, and tireless dedication required to achieve a single season as successful as the Huskies' was this year. So, the kind of repeated success that the University of Connecticut women have seen over the years is truly impressive.

The Huskies' coach, Geno Auriemma, is the president of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and holds the highest winning percentage among active coaches. Coach Auriemma is also a coach of the 2012 United States Olympic Team. In addition to these successes, Coach Auriemma should be most appreciated for the role model that he is to his players and the positive impact he has on their lives.

The Huskies basketball team is comprised of some of the most talented athletes in the Nation. Junior forward Maya Moore and senior center Tina Charles were both selected as first team All-Americans and as members of the Final Four All-Tournament Team. Maya Moore was also chosen as the State Farm Wade Trophy Player of the Year and the Women's Final Four Most Valuable Player. Tina Charles was selected as the winner of the Naismith Award, the Wooden Award, the United States Basketball Writers Association Player of the Year Award, and the Associated Press Player of the Year Award.

I salute the hard work and dedication of the University of Connecticut Huskies players and coaches. I commend their exceptional record, athleticism, and consistent display of sportsmanship.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1239.