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[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 291 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 291

  Congratulating the University of Oklahoma Sooners softball team on 
   winning the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's 
                         College World Series.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 24, 2021

   Mr. Inhofe (for himself and Mr. Lankford) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
                           and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Congratulating the University of Oklahoma Sooners softball team on 
   winning the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's 
                         College World Series.

Whereas, on June 10, 2021, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the University of 
        Oklahoma Sooners softball team (referred to in this preamble as the 
        ``Sooners'') won the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association 
        Women's College World Series;
Whereas, after losing the first game in the championship series, the Sooners won 
        2 consecutive games to beat Florida State University;
Whereas the Sooners, over the 46-year history of the University of Oklahoma 
        softball program--

    (1) have won 5 Women's College World Series championships, including 3 
championships in the past 5 years; and

    (2) have competed in 13 Women's College World Series;

Whereas the 2021 national championship for the Sooners builds on the strong 
        tradition of success for the University of Oklahoma athletics 
        department, the teams of which have delivered 39 team national 
        championships and 295 conference titles throughout the rich history of 
        the department;
Whereas the Sooners were the best team in the United States during the 2021 
        season, having never lost consecutive games all season and maintaining a 
        perfect record in their home stadium to finish the season with 56 wins 
        and 4 losses;
Whereas, during the 2021 season, the Sooners set records for team batting 
        average, team slugging percentage, on-base percentage, home runs, and 
        runs scored on their way to a fifth national championship;
Whereas Giselle ``G'' Juarez was named Most Outstanding Player of the Women's 
        College World Series, throwing 218 pitches and 2 complete games to sweep 
        the Florida State Seminoles in the final 2 games of the championship 
        series;
Whereas Jocelyn Alo was named the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and 
        the Jim Thorpe Oklahoma Athlete of the Year, hitting 34 home runs and 
        maintaining a 0.475 batting average during the 2021 season;
Whereas the Sooners players should be applauded for their outstanding 
        contributions to the University of Oklahoma, to the achievement of 
        winning a national championship, and to the sport of softball, including 
        Rylie Boone, Kinsey Koeltzow, Grace Lyons, Shannon Saile, Taylon Snow, 
        Paige Knight, Olivia Rains, Kinzie Hansen, Nicole Mendes, Mackenzie 
        Donihoo, Macy McAdoo, Brooke Vestal, Nicole May, Jana Johns, Grace 
        Green, Lynnsie Elam, Tiare Jennings, Jayda Coleman, Raylee Pogue, Zaida 
        Puni, Giselle Juarez, Alanna Thiede, and Jocelyn Alo;
Whereas the Sooners coaches should be applauded for their outstanding leadership 
        of the University of Oklahoma softball program and their role in guiding 
        and mentoring young women at the University of Oklahoma, including Patty 
        Gasso, Jennifer Rocha, JT Gasso, Erin Arevalo, Kelsey Arnold, and Sydney 
        Romero;
Whereas head coach Patty Gasso has become a distinguished coach and leader in 
        the softball community, which is evidenced by her--

    (1) leading the Sooners to each of the 5 national championships in the 
history of the University of Oklahoma softball program; and

    (2) racking up more than 1,300 wins in her coaching career at the 
University of Oklahoma;

Whereas the second game in the championship series was viewed by more than 
        2,600,000 people, setting a new viewership record for the Women's 
        College World Series; and
Whereas the Sooners bring pride to the State of Oklahoma and the entire softball 
        community: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) commends the University of Oklahoma Sooners softball 
        team on winning the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic 
        Association Women's College World Series;
            (2) recognizes the excellence and dedication of all 
        coaches, support staff, and players whose contributions led to 
        the victory in the 2021 Women's College World Series;
            (3) celebrates alongside the students and faculty of the 
        University of Oklahoma and Sooner fans around the United 
        States; and
            (4) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
        transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
                    (A) Joseph Harroz, Jr., President of the University 
                of Oklahoma;
                    (B) Joseph Castiglione, Director of Athletics and 
                Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletic Programs of 
                the University of Oklahoma; and
                    (C) Patty Gasso, head coach of the University of 
                Oklahoma Sooners softball team.
                                 <all>
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