Commending University of Minnesota Golden Gophers for Winning 2003-2004 NCAA Division I National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey Championship

COMMENDING UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS FOR WINNING 2003-2004 NCAA DIVISION I NATIONAL COLLEGIATE WOMEN'S ICE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP -- (House of Representatives - June 22, 2004)

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 630) commending the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers for winning the 2003-2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey Championship.

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to be here to support House Resolution 630, congratulating the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers women's hockey team for their NCAA 2003-2004 women's ice hockey championship. I also want to congratulate head coach Laura Halldorson on being named the American Hockey Coaches Association's Coach of the Year for the third time since 1998.

This women's hockey team is the first women's team at the University of Minnesota to win an NCAA championship. We are all proud of the extraordinary accomplishment of all of these women. The success this team has achieved this year will help to continue to fuel women's hockey, which is exploding in Minnesota and across the country.

The success of the Golden Gophers and the ever-growing opportunities for women in sports remind us of the
importance of title IX, the landmark legislation that banned sex discrimination in schools. Since its passage over 30 years ago, title IX has kicked open the door for women and girls in athletics and education; and since the passage of title IX, girls and women have gone from hoping for a team to hoping to make the team, from ringette to ice hockey.

Unfortunately, there are still some who would like to turn back the clock and see this law weakened. But as women continue to make strides toward equal opportunity, title IX must continue to remain strong. We must uphold the progress we have made, and we need to continue to expand the opportunities for our daughters, our granddaughters, our nieces, and for the next generation of young girls. Every girl and young woman must be given a chance one day to become a national champion, just as these Golden Gophers women had the chance.

Once again, I congratulate the University of Minnesota Lady Gophers on their extraordinary year.