Congratulating the Emporia State University Lady Hornets women's basketball team for winning the 2010 NCAA Division II National Championship.

Madam Speaker, I rise and join my colleagues here today to recognize a group of young women from Kansas who exemplify the meaning of teamwork: the 2010 Emporia State University Lady Hornets, who this year won the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship.

Teams in my home State of Kansas and across the plains know the Emporia State University Lady Hornets all too well. Under the direction of Head Coach Brandon Schneider, the Lady Hornets have developed into a powerhouse of women's college basketball from the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, the MIAA.

Heading into the 2009-2010 season, Coach Schneider had led the Lady Hornets to 10 NCAA tournament appearances, six MIAA regular season conference championships, three MIAA tournament conference championships, four NCAA South Central Regional Championships, and two NCAA Division II Final Four appearances. Moreover, at the conclusion of this season, Emporia State University had been ranked as the NCAA Division II Top 25 for the last 13 seasons and has been ranked in the top 10 in weekly polls for a total of 125 weeks since 1998, more than any other program in the country.

So what's the secret to success with this program? Ask anyone at Emporia State University, and they will point out that the young women are more than just a collection of basketball players. As the 2009-2010 Women's Basketball Media Guide explains: ``Being part of a women's basketball program is special because not only do the Lady Hornets come together to win games on the court, but they also come together as a family off the court.''

Even while players have been selected to the All-MIAA team, the MIAA- All Tournament team and even the Division II All-American Team, being a part of the Lady Hornets is not about the individual accolades, it is about teamwork, and teamwork has been their recipe for success.

Expectations were high for the 2010 season. And the Lady Hornets did not disappoint. They began the season by winning 19 of their first 20 games and were ranked as high as number four in the national polls. However, they lost three of their last five games, including the second round upset in the MIAA tournament in Kansas City. Their season seemed to be heading off track. Most teams with such high hopes and high expectations would have easily lost that hope, but the Lady Hornets were determined to overcome these setbacks and never let their dream of becoming a national championship team die.

After a quiet trip home from Kansas City to Emporia following the loss, and a little time together, the team refocused on their ultimate goal and traveled to Canyon, Texas, for the South Central Regional. Emporia State University dominated the regional and left West Texas with a ticket to the Elite 8 where the Hornets would next meet some of their fiercest competition of the year.

After wins against the number 3-ranked Michigan Technological University Huskies and the number 1-ranked Gannon University Lady Knights, the Hornets headed to the national championship game. On March 26, 2010, the Lady Hornets defeated the Fort Lewis Skyhawks by a score of 65-53 to capture their first-ever women's basketball championship.

Emporia State University athletes, coaches, students, alumni, faculty, and fans have much to be proud of after a season of hard work and dedication. After appearances in six national championship games in four sports, this is the first national championship in any sport since being crowned the 1984 MIAA Women's Softball National Champions. But this victory is special because it a testament to the power of teamwork. Good teams are able to overcome adversity, and that is exactly what the 2010 Emporia State University Lady Hornets managed to do en route to a national championship.

Congratulations to the Lady Hornets team, seniors Cassondra Boston, Jamie Augustyn, Lacy Corker, and Sophia Lenard; juniors Ashley Ferrell, Negesti Taylor, Kayla Krueger, Dava Logsdon, and Alli Volkens; sophomore Brittney Miller; and freshmen Rachel Hanf, Jocelyn Cummings, and Kelsey Newman. Congratulations to the ESU coaches, head coach Brandon Schneider and assistant coaches Jory Collins and Kiel Unruh.

Also, ESU athletic director Kent Weiser and ESU president Michael Lane deserve credit for all of their support of the team, as does assistant athletic director for media relations Donald Weast. Finally, congratulations to the Emporia State fans, some of the most dedicated in all of college basketball who have waited a long time for this accomplishment.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in commending the outstanding accomplishments of the 2010 Emporia State University Lady Hornets, a truly great team of players who know there is no ``I'' in team. Please join me in supporting H. Res. 1292 today.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1292, congratulating the Emporia State University Lady Hornets women's basketball team for winning the 2010 NCAA Division II National Championship.

On March 26, 2010, the Emporia State University Lady Hornets defeated the Fort Lewis Skyhawks 65-53 in the NCAA Division II women's basketball national championship in St. Joseph, Missouri, and captured the Hornets' first-ever women's basketball national title and the university's first national title since 1984.

The Hornets' success was due, in large part, to Alli Volkens. Alli Volkens was named the overall Most Outstanding Player of the tournament and recorded 16 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks in the championship game alone. While this player was recognized for her outstanding play, the entire team is responsible for the success of the team as NCAA Division II national champions.

The national accolades bestowed upon this team can only be attributed to Head Coach Brandon Schneider and assistant coaches Jory Collins and Kiel Unruh.

While athletic success is what brings us here today, Emporia State is also known for its excellent academics. Emporia State University aims to provide a dynamic and progressive student-centered learning community that fosters student success through engagement in academic excellence, community and global involvement, and the pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment. Emporia State University is located in the heart of the Flint Hills, Kansas, area. The university serves 6,500 students in four different colleges. Founded in 1863, ESU is noted today for their programs in business, library and information management, and liberal arts and sciences.

I extend my congratulations to Emporia State University Head Coach Brandon Schneider and his entire staff, the hardworking players, and the fans. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, seeing no other requests for time, I yield such time as he may consume to our colleague from Kansas, Jerry Moran.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1292) congratulating the Emporia State University Lady Hornets women's basketball team for winning the 2010 NCAA Division II National Championship, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for 5 legislative days during which Members can revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 1292.

Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Emporia State University women's basketball team for winning the 2010 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship.

The Emporia State Lady Hornets defeated the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks 65-53 in an exciting game. The Lady Hornets took home their school's first-ever women's basketball

national championship title. Their victory was also Emporia State's first national championship win in any sport since 1984.

This Lady Hornets women's basketball season marked Coach Brandon Schneider's 10th season with Emporia State University. Coach Schneider and assistant coaches Jory Collins and Kiel Unruh guided the Lady Hornets to a final record of 30 wins and only five losses.

Sensational junior center and Elite 8 Most Outstanding Player Alli Volkens led the Hornets to their victory with 16 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks in the game. A back-and-forth night for most of the game, the Lady Hornets started to pull away midway through the second half thanks to a 10-0 run. Rachel Hanf scored 15 points and was a perfect 3 for 3 from behind the arc.

The alumni, faculty, and staff of Emporia State University have much to be proud of. Once again I congratulate the Lady Hornets on winning their first NCAA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship and I thank Mr. Moran for bringing this resolution forward.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of H. Res. 1292, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor the legislative week of Tuesday, May 18, 2010.

For Tuesday, May 18, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 273 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 2288), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 274 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 4614), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 275 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1327).

For Wednesday, May 19, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 276 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 1514), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 277 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 5325), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 278 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1325), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 279 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1362), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 280 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 5099), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 281 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 403), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 282 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1292), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 283 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1364).

For Thursday, May 20, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 284 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 5327), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 285 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1256), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 286 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1336), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 287 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1361), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 288 (on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 1363), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 289 (on agreeing to H. Res. 1363), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 290 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 5128).

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H. Res 1292, and to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Emporia State University Lady Hornets for winning the 2010 NCAA Division II National

Championship, their first national championship. They continue the proud tradition of Kansas basketball, going all the way back to James Naismith.

The Lady Hornets had a difficult road to the championship, defeating Tarleton State and West Texas A&M to reach the Sweet Sixteen. Their solid defense helped them advance with an impressive 76-45 win over Northeastern State. They reached the Final Four with a win over Michigan Tech. The very next day they faced top-ranked and undefeated Gannon University. The game went into overtime, but Emporia State prevailed, 97-94. The Lady Hornets earned the national championship with their 65-53 win over Fort Lewis College. We were impressed with all of the Hornets, and especially with junior Alli Volkens, who led the team with 16 points, 15 rebounds, 5 blocked shots, and earned the title of Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

I want to recognize head coach Brandon Schneider, assistant coaches Jory Collins and Kiel Unruh, and the entire Lady Hornets team-- Cassondra Boston, Jessen Tucker, Rachel Hanf, Jocelyn Cummings, Jamie Augustyn, Lacy Corker, Kelsey Newman, Brittney Miller, Sophia Leonard, Ashley Ferrell, Negesti Taylor, Kayla Kruger, Dava Logsdon, and Alli Volkens. Their championship is a testament to their hard work throughout their season, their effective coaching, and their dedication to teamwork. Congratulations, Lady Hornets.