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[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 168 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>

117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 168

 Congratulating the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats men's 
  basketball team on winning the 2021 NCAA Men's Division II National 
                             Championship.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 21, 2021

    Mr. Blunt (for himself and Mr. Hawley) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Congratulating the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats men's 
  basketball team on winning the 2021 NCAA Men's Division II National 
                             Championship.

Whereas, on March 27, 2021, the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats 
        men's basketball team (in this preamble referred to as the ``Bearcats'') 
        clinched their third National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) 
        Division II National Championship in 5 years in a landslide 80-54 
        victory over the West Texas A&M University Buffaloes;
Whereas the Bearcats should be proud of their University's storied history 
        dating back to the inception of the school in 1905;
Whereas the Bearcats should be commended for their success and perseverance 
        throughout the 2020-2021 season despite uncertainty during the 
        coronavirus outbreak;
Whereas the Bearcats' victory marked the men's basketball team's second 
        consecutive national championship, cementing the Bearcats' place atop 
        NCAA Division II men's basketball;
Whereas the West Texas A&M University Buffaloes should also be commended on 
        their efforts and success throughout an unprecedented season during the 
        COVID-19 pandemic;
Whereas the city of Evansville, Indiana, and the NCAA should be commended for 
        their efforts in providing a safe environment for the student athletes 
        and staff during the championship tournament;
Whereas the Bearcats went 3-0 during the championship tournament with an average 
        margin of victory of 26 points;
Whereas the Bearcats clinched a first round victory against West Liberty by a 
        score of 98-77;
Whereas the Bearcats clinched a second round victory against Flagler by a score 
        of 77-46;
Whereas the Bearcats claimed their title as back-to-back national champions by 
        defeating West Texas A&M by a score of 80-54;
Whereas Ryan Hawkins should be commended for his role in the Bearcats' national 
        championship victory by scoring a game-high 31 points while securing 18 
        rebounds;
Whereas 3 additional starting members of the Bearcats, Wes Dreamer, Trevor 
        Hudgins, and Luke Waters, each scored in the double digits in the 
        championship game and should be commended for their scoring efforts;
Whereas Wes Dreamer and Ryan Hawkins should each be commended for achieving a 
        double-double in the championship game by scoring and rebounding in the 
        double digits;
Whereas Ryan Hawkins and Trevor Hudgins should be celebrated for their selection 
        to the Elite Eight All-Tournament Team;
Whereas Ryan Hawkins should further be recognized for being named as the Elite 
        Eight's Most Outstanding Player;
Whereas the entire Bearcats roster should be commended for their 50 percent 
        field goal percentage and 47 percent 3-point shooting;
Whereas the entire Bearcats roster contributed to the national championship 
        victory, including Spencer Schomers, Diego Bernard, Jaran Richman, 
        Isaiah Jackson, Wes Dreamer, Byron Alexander, Trevor Hudgins, Mitch 
        Mascari, Daric Laing, Ryan Hawkins, Christian Stanislav, Luke Waters, 
        and Daniel Abreu;
Whereas the entire Bearcats coaching staff contributed to the national 
        championship victory, including Ben McCollum, Zach Schneider, Xavier 
        Kurth, Dray Starzl, Nick Peters, Justin Dickerson, Sam Hawley, and 
        Landon Graver; and
Whereas the Bearcats back-to-back national championships provide a sense of 
        excitement and pride to the City of Maryville and Bearcat nation across 
        Missouri: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) congratulates the Northwest Missouri State University 
        Bearcats men's basketball team and the entire University, Mayor 
        of Maryville Benjamin Lipiec, University President Dr. John 
        Jasinski, Governor Mike Parson, and fans of the Bearcats on 
        their national championship; and
            (2) respectfully directs the Secretary of the Senate to 
        transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
                    (A) the President of Northwest Missouri State 
                University;
                    (B) head coach Ben McCollum; and
                    (C) Mayor Benjamin Lipiec.
                                 <all>
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