Title: A resolution congratulating the Fighting Irish of the University of Notre Dame women's basketball team for winning the 2018 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I women's basketball championship.
Policy area: Sports and Recreation

Summary:
Congratulates the University of Notre Dame women's basketball team for its victory in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament claiming the 2018 NCAA Division I title.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 493 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 493

   Congratulating the Fighting Irish of the University of Notre Dame 
   women's basketball team for winning the 2018 National Collegiate 
    Athletic Association Division I women's basketball championship.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 26, 2018

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Congratulating the Fighting Irish of the University of Notre Dame 
   women's basketball team for winning the 2018 National Collegiate 
    Athletic Association Division I women's basketball championship.

Whereas, on Sunday, April 1, 2018, the University of Notre Dame Women's 
        Basketball Team (referred to in this preamble as the ``Fighting Irish'') 
        won the 2018 National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in 
        this preamble as the ``NCAA'') Division I title with a 61-58 win over 
        the Mississippi State Bulldogs, becoming 1 of only 7 women's basketball 
        programs to win multiple NCAA championship titles;
Whereas the Fighting Irish displayed their grit and determination to overcome a 
        15-point disadvantage to the Bulldogs in the championship game, setting 
        a record for the largest comeback in a NCAA title game;
Whereas the victory marked the second national title, the first of those titles 
        coming on Sunday, April 1, 2001, for the Fighting Irish under the 
        leadership of Head Coach Muffet McGraw;
Whereas Head Coach McGraw has excelled during her 31 seasons with the Fighting 
        Irish, having--

    (1) led the Fighting Irish to their 800th win under her leadership to 
secure their second national championship title;

    (2) been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 
2017; and

    (3) been named 2018 AP, USA Today, and espnW Coach of the Year;

Whereas Head Coach McGraw has been supported by assistant coaches and staff 
        including--

    (1) Carol Owens;

    (2) Niele Ivey;

    (3) Beth Cunningham;

    (4) Katie Capps;

    (5) Erica Williamson; and

    (6) Sharla Lewis;

Whereas the full roster of the 2017-2018 national championship Fighting Irish 
        team includes--

    (1) Kristina Nelson;

    (2) Lili Thompson;

    (3) Mychal Johnson;

    (4) Kathryn Westbeld;

    (5) Brianna Turner;

    (6) Marina Mabrey;

    (7) Maureen Butler;

    (8) Arike Ogunbowale;

    (9) Jessica Shepard;

    (10) Kaitlin Cole;

    (11) Jackie Young;

    (12) Mikayla Vaughn;

    (13) Nicole Benz; and

    (14) Danielle Patterson;

Whereas Arike Ogunbowale, junior guard for the Fighting Irish, was awarded Most 
        Outstanding Player of the Final Four and scored 145 total points 
        throughout the course of the 2018 NCAA tournament, which included the 
        game-winning shots in both the semifinal and final rounds of play;
Whereas Jackie Young, sophomore guard and a native of Princeton, Indiana, led 
        the Fighting Irish to a victory over the then-undefeated University of 
        Connecticut Huskies with a dominant, breakout performance, racking up 32 
        points and pulling down 11 rebounds;
Whereas the tradition of the Fighting Irish of excelling in both athletics and 
        academics continues to advance the sport of women's basketball and 
        provide inspiration for future generations of young female athletes; and
Whereas the spirit and achievement of the Fighting Irish in the face of 
        adversity and the dramatic conclusion of their championship run inspired 
        the respect and admiration of the basketball-loving State of Indiana: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) congratulates the University of Notre Dame women's 
        basketball team for its victory in the National Collegiate 
        Athletic Association (referred to in this resolving clause as 
        the ``NCAA'') tournament claiming the 2018 NCAA Division I 
        title;
            (2) recognizes the dedication, perseverance, and hard work 
        of the players, coaches, students, alumni, administration, and 
        support staff that directly contributed to the victory of the 
        University of Notre Dame in the NCAA women's basketball 
        championship; and
            (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
        transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
                    (A) Reverend John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., President of 
                the University of Notre Dame;
                    (B) Muffet McGraw, Head Coach of the University of 
                Notre Dame women's basketball team; and
                    (C) Jack Swarbrick, Vice-President and Athletic 
                Director of the University of Notre Dame.
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