[Pages H4095-H4096]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

CONGRATULATING THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY NORSE WOMEN'S
BASKETBALL TEAM, CHAMPIONS OF THE 2008 NCAA DIVISION II TOURNAMENT

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1147) congratulating the Northern
Kentucky University Norse women's basketball team, champions of the
2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II tournament,
as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:

H. Res. 1147

Whereas on March 29, 2008, the Northern Kentucky University
Norse defeated the University of South Dakota Coyotes 63-58
to become the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) Division II women's basketball national champions;
Whereas the Norse overcame a 9 point deficit with 6 minutes
remaining to secure the victory;
Whereas the Norse had to win 10 of their last 11 games to
win the tournament;
Whereas the team finished their extraordinary 2007-2008
season with a 28-8 record;
Whereas Angela Healy, a senior from Fort Thomas, was named
the Elite Eight's Most Outstanding Player;
Whereas this championship marks the second time the North
Kentucky University women's basketball team has won the
national title;
Whereas by excelling in academics and athletics, Nicole
Chiodi, Angela Healy, Karen Brackman, Cassie Brannen,
Danyelle Echoles, Jessie Slack, Jessica Wendeln, Rachel
Lantry, Kendra Caldwell, Diondra Holliday, and Rita Stefan
are great role models for young women across the Nation;
Whereas Head Coach Nancy Winstel, Assistant Coach Matt
Schmidt, Assistant Coach Danielle Zimmerman, and Strength and
Conditioning Coach Livey Birkenhauer deserve recognition for
their work guiding the Norse to their second national
championship;
Whereas the Norse players, coaches, and those associated
with the women's basketball team represented Northern
Kentucky University and the Commonwealth of Kentucky with
exemplary sportsmanship and competitiveness throughout the
season; and
Whereas residents of Kentucky and Norse fans worldwide are
to be commended for their longstanding support, perseverance,
and pride in the team: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the amazing performance of the Northern
Kentucky University Norse in the National Collegiate Athletic
Association Division II women's basketball tournament; and
(2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches,
students, and support staff who were instrumental in the
Norse championship.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlemen from New
York (Mr. Bishop) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.

General Leave

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days
during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous
material on H. Res. 1147 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
I rise today to congratulate the Northern Kentucky University Norse
women's basketball team for their victory in the NCAA 2008 Division II
tournament. On March 29, women's basketball fans were treated to an
exceptional game as Northern Kentucky University overcame a nine-point
deficit, with 6 minutes remaining, to clinch its second national team
title. The show-stopping 63-58 defeat over third-ranked North Dakota
broke the Coyotes' 31-game winning streak. The Norse women's basketball
team had been strong all season, but was unranked going into the
tournament. By winning 10 of their last 11 games, they were able to
prove that they should indeed be considered number one.
I want to extend my congratulations to coach Nancy Winstel, who
returned to her alma mater to lead the team to an impressive 28-8
record in her 25th season as head coach. Coach Winstel has been
involved with the women's basketball program for 30 years at NKU, and
reached the 500-win plateau as a college coach 3 years ago. Assistant
coaches Matt Schmidt, Danielle Zimmerman, and strength and conditioning
coach Livey Birkenhauer round out the coaching team.
Congratulations are also in order for senior Angela Healy of Fort
Thomas, Kentucky. Healy, a strong inside scorer and rebounder, was
named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. During the final game
she produced a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 13
rebounds, to lead her team to victory.
The Northern Kentucky University women's basketball program is the
only school in the State of Kentucky to win a national championship in
a women's sport, and it now boasts two. The Norse women's basketball
program is top notch, and the extraordinary achievement of this season
is a tribute to the skill and dedication of the many

[[Page H4096]]

players, coaches, students, alumni, families, and fans that have
cheered NKU along the way.
Winning the national championship and finishing the season with a 28-
8 overall record has brought national acclaim to Northern Kentucky
University. I know the fans of the university will revel in this
accomplishment as they look forward to next season.
Mr. Speaker, I once again congratulate Northern Kentucky University
for their success.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1147,
congratulating the Northern Kentucky University Norse women's
basketball team, the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association
Division II tournament champions. How far women have come since the
days that women basketball players were required to play half court
only. I remember those days. This has really changed.
On March 29, 2008, and before a crowd of 3,067, the unranked Northern
Kentucky Norse, from Highland Heights, Kentucky, put an end to the
third-ranked University of South Dakota's Coyotes' 31-game win streak.
NKU's women's basketball team used a 23-9 run to overcome a nine-point
deficit and beat South Dakota 63-58 in the 2008 NCAA Division II
national championship game.
Only 3 weeks earlier, NKU was just hoping to make it into the NCAA
tournament. The Norse improved its NCAA chances by advancing to the
Great Lakes Valley Conference finals, where it lost to Drury. Despite
the loss, the team received a fourth seed in the Great Lakes regional.
Earlier in the tournament, NKU had to overcome a 15-point deficit to
win its first round games against Indianapolis, 55-54. The Norse then
whipped Drury, 84-65, and edged Missouri S&T, 60-52, on the path to the
finals.
NKU is led by one of the top coaches in the NCAA Division II women's
basketball, Nancy Winstel. Currently in her 25th season as head coach
at Northern Kentucky University, Coach Winstel reached the 500-win
plateau 3 years ago. With this most recent championship, Coach Winstel
has led NKU to two national titles, having earlier guided NKU to the
1999-2000 NCAA Division II national championship.
We should recognize Northern Kentucky University for embracing a
regional stewardship role as reflected by its significant consideration
to the intellectual, social, economic, cultural, and civic vitality of
the region and the commonwealth. NKU supports multidimensional
excellence across the full breadth of its work: Teaching and learning,
research and creative activity, and outreach and public engagement. The
university fosters a community that values openness, inclusion, and
respect, and is committed to intellectual and creative freedom and to
the open expression of ideas.
I extend my congratulations to the university's President, Dr. James
Votruba; Athletic Director Jane Meier; Head Coach, Nancy Winstel, and
her staff; and all of the hardworking the players, the fans, and to
Northern Kentucky University. I am happy to be joined by my good friend
and colleague, Representative Geoff Davis, in honoring this exceptional
team and all of its accomplishments, and wish all involved continued
success. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
If there are no further speakers on the other side, I would yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. BISHOP of New York. We yield back the balance of our time as
well.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1147, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________