Congratulating the Northwestern University Wildcats on winning the 2009 NCAA women's lacrosse championship, and to commend Northwestern University for its pursuit of athletic and academic excellence.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 824, a resolution I introduced to congratulate the Northwestern University women's lacrosse team for winning its fifth consecutive national championship.

Madam Speaker, the Northwestern University lacrosse team completed the 2009 season with a record-setting 21-7 victory over North Carolina in the NCAA championship game on May 24. It capped a perfect 23-0 season for head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller and her team, joining the 2005 team as the second undefeated team in school history.

The Wildcats faced numerous challenges in seeking their fifth consecutive championship, yet they rose to meet that challenge each and every time. For instance, when trailing Penn 12-11 with time running out in the first overtime period of the NCAA semifinals, Katrina Dowd flipped a miracle shot over her shoulder while falling to the turf, which somehow scored with 0.2 seconds remaining, tying the game at 12. The team went on to win the game in the second overtime period.

As a team, the Wildcats set NCAA single-season records for points (570) and goals (407), while also leading the nation in draw controls (16.9 per game). Individually, Hannah Nielsen became the NCAA's single- game (10), single-season (83) and career assist leader (224). Sixteen of Northwestern's 23 wins came against ranked opponents, and they were a perfect 10-0 at home, extending their home winning streak to 54, an NCAA record.

In addition to the team honors, six Wildcats were awarded All- American honors by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) and U.S. Lacrosse. Hannah Nielsen and Katrina Dowd were named to the first team, while Hilary Bowen, Meredith Frank and Danielle Spencer all earned second-team honors and goalkeeper Morgan Lathrop was a third-team selection.

In addition to being successes on the athletic field, this team is a success in the classroom as well. Fourteen members of the team were honored this year as being academic all-Big Ten honorees. The lacrosse team had 14 academic all-Big Ten honorees. And Senior Hilary Bowen was named ESPN the Magazine Women's At-Large Academic All-American of the Year.

Lastly, while this team's intelligence, athletic prowess and determination are evident, I would like to share a story that demonstrates the team's heart and commitment to their community. During the 5-year championship run, the Northwestern lacrosse team has made an enduring and lasting friendship with 10-year-old Jaclyn Murphy. The friendship began as the Wildcats did what they could to raise the spirits of a young girl diagnosed with a brain tumor. Today, that friendship between NU and Jaclyn continues to deepen. After seeing the impact the team had on his daughter, Jaclyn's father Denis started the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, a non-profit organization created to raise public awareness regarding pediatric brain tumors. To date, over three dozen collegiate and high school teams have ``adopted'' children with brain tumors.

In conclusion Mr. Speaker, this team represents our nation's ideal of what the student athlete should be. Not only are the members of this team fantastic athletes and steller students, they are also wonderful people. I would like to recognize all the team members: Bea Conley, Danielle Spencer, Shannon Smith, Katrina Dowd, Rachel Fox, Kim Pantages, Erin Fitzgerald, Lizzie Abramson, Taylor Thornton, Alexandra Frank, Lacey Vigmostad, Colleen Magarity, Samantha Suntulli, Ali Cassera, Amanda Macaluso, Brooke Mathews, Gabrielle Flibotte, Maggie Bremer, Kirstyn Atkinson, Maria Tedeschi, Jessica Russo, Alexa Delyra, Brittany Wilbon, Darby St. Clair-Barrie, Brianne LoManto, and Sara Harrington, as well the coaches Kelly Hiller, Lindsey Munday, Ann Elliot, and Scott Hiller. I feel privileged to represent this team in Congress and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 824) congratulating the Northwestern University Wildcats on winning the 2009 NCAA women's lacrosse championship, and to commend Northwestern University for its pursuit of athletic and academic excellence.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 824 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 824, which recognizes and congratulates the Northwestern University Wildcats for winning the 2009 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship and for pursuing athletic and academic excellence.

The Wildcats posted a 23-0 regular season record and broke NCAA records both for total points and total goals in a season. The team applied the lessons learned during their undefeated year and displayed their outstanding athletic skills and cohesive team strategy in post- season play, trailing only once during the entire tournament.

On May 24, 2009, the University of North Carolina Tar Heels cut the Northwestern Wildcat's lead to two goals midway through the first half of the championship game. Northwestern responded with 10 consecutive goals to win its fifth straight NCAA championship in women's Division I lacrosse. The team's 21-7 victory over the Tar Heels set the record for goals scored in the title game.

Special congratulations are due to Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller, who now boasts a 20-1 record in the NCAA tournament. Amonte Hiller took over a program that had club status, and not only brought the team to official collegiate standings, but amassed five national championships and six conference titles in just eight seasons. The seniors on this team had one of the most successful collegiate athletic careers.

Recognition also should be given to senior Hannah Nielsen, who won the Tewaaraton Trophy for the second year in a row. This award is given to the Nation's top lacrosse player by the Tewaaraton Foundation.

Northwestern University succeeds not only on lacrosse fields, but in its classrooms as well. It ranks 12th in the 2010 national university rankings issued by U.S. News & World Report and boasts a 92.5 percent graduation rate, an amazing statistic for any university.

In addition to over 70 established majors, Northwestern University empowers students to choose or design nontraditional concentrations and offers a wide range of field experiences and internships. It is an institute of higher learning from which its graduates, including its athletes, go on to accomplish great things and make important contributions to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, once again I congratulate the Northwestern University women's lacrosse team on its 2009 Division I NCAA championship title. I wish the program much success in the 2010 season.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Having no additional speakers, Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues support the resolution, congratulating the Northwestern University Wildcats for winning the 2009 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. 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.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 824, congratulating the Northwestern University Wildcats on winning the 2009 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship and to commend Northwestern University for its pursuit of athletic and academic excellence. As a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law myself, I am especially proud to join in honoring these talented women and the school they represent.

On May 24, 2009, the Northwestern University women's lacrosse team, the Wildcats, capped a perfect 2009 season by routing third ranked North Carolina 21-7 to capture its fifth straight national championship, finishing the year 23-0.

The Wildcats continued to etch its place as one of the top programs in the history of the sport, becoming just the second team to win five consecutive national titles. They are just two shy of Maryland's seven straight wins from 1995 to 2001, and the victory over the Tar Heels, 16-5, was Head Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller's 20th consecutive tournament victory.

At Northwestern University, these dynamic women demonstrate excellence on the athletic field as well as in the classroom. Founded in 1854, Northwestern University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment that transcends traditional academic boundaries. It provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal, and professional growth.

Northwestern is recognized both nationally and internationally for the quality of its educational programs at all levels. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks the university's undergraduate and graduate programs among the best in the country. The Northwestern women's lacrosse team serves as an important role model to young athletes.

Congratulations to Northwestern University's president, Morton Schapiro; athletic director, James Phillips; head coach, Kelly Amonte Hiller; senior, Hannah Nielsen, who won the Tewaaraton Trophy given to the Nation's top player; the entire Wildcat team; the faculty, staff, and Northwestern students on this victory.

Today, we recognize and commend Northwestern University for its pursuit of athletic as well as academic excellence. I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 824.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Northwestern University Wildcats women's lacrosse team as the 2009 NCAA champion. This season marks the team's fifth straight national championship win and solidifies Northwestern University as a national leader both in academic and athletic excellence.

The Northwestern University women's lacrosse team is looked upon as a role model by young athletes in the Chicagoland area, maintaining the highest standard of excellence both in the classroom and on the field. Most noted, is senior Hannah Nielson. Hannah has been honored as the nation's top lacrosse player with the Tewaaraton Trophy due to her exemplary performance as the Wildcat's all-time leader in points and by helping to lead her team to 23-0 victory in 2009.

Furthermore, I would like to extend my congratulations to the 10 Wildcat seniors Hilary Bowen, Mary Kate Casey, Laura Clemente, Casey Donohoe, Meredith Franks, Caitlin Jackson, Ali Jacobs, Morgan Lathrop, Hannah Nielson and Meghan Plunkett who have finished their amazing collegiate careers with an 85-3 record including four American Lacrosse Conference titles and four NCAA national titles.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.