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“HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF VENUS AND SERENA WILLIAMS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H6018-H6022 on Sept. 4, 2002.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF VENUS AND SERENA WILLIAMS
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 94) honoring the contributions of Venus and Serena Williams.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 94
Whereas, although Venus and Serena Williams are only 20 and 19 years old and only in their sixth and third full years as professional tennis players respectively, they have over 43 professional titles between them;
Whereas Venus and Serena Williams have broken racial and socioeconomic barriers with pride and poise by showing the world that tennis is a sport for all people;
Whereas Venus Williams is the first African-American woman to win the Wimbledon Championships since 1958, is the first United States woman since 1924 to win an Olympic gold medal in both singles and doubles, holds the women's world record for the fastest serve at 127 miles per hour, and is one of only seven women to win the singles titles in both the Wimbledon Championships and the U.S. Open in the same year;
Whereas Serena Williams is only the second African-American woman ever to win a Grand Slam singles title, is only the sixth American woman to win the U.S. Open singles title since 1968, is only the fifth woman to win both singles and doubles Grand Slam titles in the same year, and is the first woman to reach the finals in a U.S. Open debut since 1978;
Whereas Venus and Serena Williams are the first sisters in professional tennis history to each win a Grand Slam singles title, the first to be ranked in the top ten simultaneously since 1991, the first to win a Grand Slam doubles title together, the first to compete against one another in a Women's Tennis Association Tour final, and the first to win an Olympic gold medal in doubles together;
Whereas Venus and Serena Williams have inspired and encouraged people of all backgrounds and ages, especially those in their hometown of Compton, California, demonstrating through the spirit of sport that education, a good work ethic, teamwork, fortitude, and determination are ingredients for success;
Whereas Venus and Serena Williams are African-American role models, coached to excellence by their father, and encouraged by both parents to be leaders, to demonstrate high moral and ethical standards, to value education, and to never stray from these family values; and
Whereas Venus and Serena Williams have been beacons of light to their community, passing out tennis rackets and conducting tennis clinics for low income children, raising funds for community development, and joining our Nation's leaders in support of the Department of Transportation's seat belt campaign ``Buckle Up America!'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) honors and recognizes the achievements and strides made by Venus and Serena Williams by giving back to their community, promoting excellence, breaking barriers with pride and poise, showing that tennis is a sport for all people; and
(2) urges all Americans to recognize the contributions to American society made by Venus and Serena Williams through their achievements and community involvement.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).
General Leave
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 94.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Maryland?
There was no objection.
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives in recognizing the contributions, heroic achievements and dedicated work of Venus and Serena Williams.
Venus and Serena Williams are only 22 and 20 years of age, respectively, yet they have broken racial and socio-economic barriers with pride and poise by showing the world that tennis is a sport for all people.
Mr. Speaker, Venus and Serena Williams have inspired and encouraged people of all backgrounds and ages, especially those in their hometown of Compton, California. Venus and Serena Williams demonstrate that the spirit of sports, education and a good work ethic, as well as team work, fortitude and determination, are essential ingredients for success.
Venus and Serena Williams are African American role models. Their father coached them to excellence. They were encouraged by both parents to be leaders, to demonstrate high moral and ethical standards, to value education, and to never stray from those family values. Venus and Serena Williams have accomplished many firsts in tennis. Their firsts include being the first sisters in professional tennis history to each win a grand slam singles title and being the first sisters to compete against one another in a Women's Tennis Association tour final.
Venus and Serena Williams have been beacons of light to their community, passing out tennis rackets and conducting tennis clinics for low-income children and raising funds for community development. Venus and Serena Williams joined our national leaders in support of the Department of Transportations's seatbelt campaign, Buckle Up America.
Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that the House recognize the dedicated work and outstanding accomplishments of Venus and Serena Williams today. I ask that all Members support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, July 6, 2002, Serena and Venus Williams captured first and second places in the ladies' singles championship at Wimbledon. The very next day the sisters went on to win first place in the ladies' doubles championship for the second time in three years. Today Venus and Serena are making their way to the U.S. Open quarters in Flushing Meadows on Arthur Ashe Stadium Court and possibly another victory.
Venus and Serena Williams are the youngest of five sisters. Venus broke into the professional women's tennis circuit at the age of just 14. Coached by their father Richard, the sisters learned to play tennis on the courts of Compton, California. Both girls entered the world of professional tennis at the age of 14. At just 18, Serena won her first grand slam title. Venus won her first grand slam the following year at just 20 years of age. Since winning their first grand slam titles both sisters have broken innumerable records. Between Serena and Venus, they have won 16 singles titles in the last year and 7 of the last 12 grand slam events.
Serena Williams is only the second African American woman to ever win a grand slam, while Venus is the first African American woman to win at Wimbledon since 1958.
In 1999, for the first time in over 115 years, sisters met in the finals at Wimbledon. In September of that same year, Serena was named female athlete of the month by the United States Olympic Committee. Venus is the first United States woman since 1924 to win Olympic gold in both the singles and doubles tournaments. These are only a few of the sisters' many accomplishments in their lives. Serena and Venus Williams strive to make a difference both on and off the court. The sisters support and participate in events sponsored by Oracene Williams Learning Foundation, an organization that seeks to help children with learning disabilities.
Additionally, in 1995, Venus, Serena and Richard Williams conducted a clinic with the California Tennis Association for underprivileged youth. This clinic has since developed into a full year tutoring tennis academy for the underprivileged youth in California. Venus and Serena Williams have become role models for many African American children. In Monday's Washington Post, columnist Courtland Milloy noted the impact the sisters have had on the Means sisters, four sisters aged 8 through 12, who live here in Washington, D.C. The Means sisters play tennis and do after-school work at the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center in the District of Columbia. When asked about what impact Serena and Venus Williams have had on their lives, the Means sisters were quoted as saying, ``They show us we can compete against one another and still be friends. They let us see ourselves as champions. We might even end up being number one, two, three and four.''
House Resolution 94 congratulates the Williams sisters for all of their dedication and extraordinary accomplishments, and I join with my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald), in not only supporting this resolution, but in commending the Williams sisters, who did not choose to be sisters, but have in fact chosen to be friends and champions.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I have no requests to speak, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 4\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald), the originator of this resolution.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my dear friend the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and my dear friend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for helping to usher this to the floor, along with my thanks to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman), who helped to ensure this piece of legislation came to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today to respect the two outstanding young women who have taken the tennis courts by storm. They happen to be my former constituents from the City of Compton.
I first introduced this bill in March of 2001 expressing the sense of Congress in its admiration of the achievements of these two remarkable sisters, Venus and Serena Williams, tennis champions and first class human beings. I am pleased that hundreds of my esteemed colleagues have agreed to cosponsor this measure with me.
Since this measure was introduced, another year has only brought added luster to Venus' and Serena's professional triumphs. They are the first sisters in the history of the Women's Tennis Association tour to attain number one and two ranking, and of course, they are the first Americans to achieve this exalted status. This alone should encourage us to acknowledge their prowess and courage on the courts which follows the illustrious and historic achievements of the African American tennis champion Althea Gibson in the 1950s.
As of July 9, Serena Williams moved to number one in the WTA tour ranking after winning the French Open and the women's Wimbledon title and is the 11th woman to hold this title since the ranking system began in 1975.
Venus Williams has moved to number two after having held three stints at number one for a total of 11 weeks since February.
On July 7, at Wimbledon, the sisters united to win their second doubles title victory in 3 years.
However, in saluting these remarkable young women and their achievements in the sport of tennis we must not lose sight of the other contributions of these sisters as citizens. We must also give recognition to their parents, Oracene and Richard Williams, who had the foresight to see their daughters as winners and the sacrifice to make this attainment possible. By this recognition, too, we celebrate the African American family and its demonstration of solidarity, initiative and resolve.
In particular, though, Mr. Speaker, the unselfish coaching of their father, Richard Williams, of his daughters over many years that provided both a healthy sense of self-regard and a sense of confidence must be commended. This outstanding father, who knew not how to coach, had never coached in his life, took this on. He saw the talents in his young daughters, and he coached them through the streets and through the hard cement courts of Compton to bring them to where they are today.
From those cement courts of Compton to the grass groomed courts of Wimbledon, Serena and Venus Williams have triumphed over an enormous scale, but we should also salute them because they are giving back and sharing their prosperity and talent with children from minority communities in our country, as well as in Africa's impoverished neighborhoods, which they will soon be traveling to.
In Los Angeles, many inner city high school players are advancing in the game of tennis due to the support of the Venus and Serena Williams Tutorial/Tennis Academy. These students who enroll in the tutorial program also are mentored on college and career possibilities. They see that need as well, Mr. Speaker.
The Williams sisters also support the J.P. Morgan Chase Tennis Challenge, the proceeds of which are directed to the OWL Foundation, which is named after their mother, Oracene Williams Learning Foundation, which was started by their money to provide grants for at-
risk students to participate in educational remedial assistance programs. The foundation's mission is to ensure that every child is treated as an individual and provided the opportunity to learn.
Another initiative supported by the sisters and Doublemint provides grants to recognize the contributions that college students and student service organizations make on campuses and in communities.
Mr. Speaker, Serena and Venus were also instrumental in assisting the founding of the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center in Washington, D.C., and helped to open this extensive facility in April of last year.
Mr. Speaker, on and off the courts Venus and Serena Williams are indeed giving back, and we should take pride and pleasure in their accomplishments and salute them for their fine sportsmanlike or sportswomanlike conduct and citizenship.
I cannot say enough about these outstanding two young women who happen to be black but indeed are outstanding citizens to this America, and for that, Mr. Speaker, I salute them and ask for a successful passage.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek), a great athlete, former coach, great dancer, great African American, great humanitarian and legislator.
Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, first of all, for his great oratorical skills as well as his academic prowess.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) and her colleagues on the other side of the aisle who have seen to it, specifically the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald), who just persevered and kept pushing this resolution when many thought it would never come to the floor.
I am glad that it is here, Mr. Speaker, because it speaks very loudly for this Congress to see the advent of these two young women who belie many of the stereotypical ideas about African Americans when it comes to sports such as tennis. They have shown America and shown the world that with their long muscle prowess and their beauty and their grace and just the refinement which they have shown and the femininity is great for America.
That is why I want to thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) and commend her for this. Mr. Speaker, Venus and Serena, they are great tennis champions, but they are even more than that, Mr. Speaker, because what they are doing is legendary and has turned around the tennis world.
I am, as my good friend from Illinois mentioned, an old athlete. I remember when black women had a very difficult time in tennis. I remember two other Williams sisters, very, very old from Wilberforce, Ohio. Wilberforce was one of the first universities that really pushed tennis for African Americans, and these two Williams sisters were there. I was in school with Althea Gibson, who rose to great heights in the tennis world and was recently honored by the Republican Party and the Speaker down at one of the women's groups here. That to me was a great thing as well.
I look forward to this kind of honor for women athletes who have been able to really persevere and come forward in the sports world.
These two women are wonderful women because they are tremendously talented and they make role models for other women, not only African American women but women of all races, colors, creeds, and they have come to this achievement and they have come to it with grace, and when we see them on television and see them being interviewed, we can see the grace, politeness and intelligence and confidence and good humor, and we can see the beauty. We can see why her name is Venus because, in mythology, Venus was a beautiful and strong woman. She was not small of build either. She was well-appropriated, and so is Venus. It is good to see this in tennis here in America, and I want to compliment them for another thing.
They have made the black family look better because stereotypically people do not believe many times that the black family is strong but it is. Here is a father, a father, as my good colleagues have said, who has shown that there is perseverance, there is tenacity, there is this family connection, and it can be spent in strengthening the American family, and athletics is one way it can be strengthened. Scholarship and good skills is another.
Mr. Speaker, I could say a lot more, but that is good. I just want to say that these two women have shown America that. It has gotten a message to America and has done us all proud.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Florida for her history of female athletics, and it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings).
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time, and I thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-
McDonald) for sponsoring this resolution and certainly the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman).
Mr. Speaker, we have heard already the great achievements of these two wonderful young ladies, and I cannot help but think about the words of Swindall, the great theologian, when he said that so often people do things which are unnoticed, unseen, unappreciated and unapplauded, and the fact is that so often they do these things quietly, and then there comes a time when all of that hard work and all of that effort and all the things that they have done behind closed doors and behind closed walls suddenly emerges into the spotlight of the sun.
We have two wonderful young ladies here who have worked very hard, and it has already been said, worked hard within a family structure, a father who stood up for them over and over and over again, who saw in them so much. He had a vision, Mr. Speaker, but not only did he have a vision, he turned the vision into a mission. So often what happens is that folks have visions but they never do anything with it, but he saw in these two wonderful ladies something that would be great, and in other words, what he saw and if others, Mr. Speaker, had told him many years ago that his daughters would achieve all these things, some people may have considered it the impossible, but Richard was about the business of doing the impossible and he did. So I come here to salute these wonderful ladies.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, one of the greatest moments of my life came at Howard University's graduation just this May when Venus Williams was being awarded a special award by the president of the university, and she really literally took all of our breaths away when she got up and she spoke about her sisters who had graduated from my alma mater, by the way, Howard University, and then she said something that really struck everybody in the audience. She said, ``They say I am worth millions, but I would give every penny I have got if I could walk across the stage like you are doing today,'' talking to the graduates, and I think that really touched everybody and put everything into context. One of the things she also said is that ``I have been busy playing tennis and making money, but I am going to return and make sure I get my degree.''
So it is that kind of spirit. It is a spirit that Swindall talks about, unnoticed, unappreciated, unapplauded and unseen, and so they are now in the sunlight of life, and they have so much to give and so many people to inspire, so many little girls looking up to them, and by the way, little boys also looking up to them. We salute them today and may God bless these great ladies.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson).
Ms. WATSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 94, honoring the sisters Venus and Serena. Congratulations are indeed in order for these champions. My colleagues have already outlined some of the outstanding accomplishments that these two young women from Compton, California, have achieved, and I too pay my respects to the number one and the number two ranked Women's Tennis Association players in the world.
These young adults have created many first-time achievements for American women in world tennis. Their skill, charisma, dedication, plus love for the sport herald an exciting era in women's tennis.
Venus and Serena have shown not only athletic dominance on the court but social consciousness and mature contributions off the court and have made wise contributions of not only their time but their money as well.
The Williams sisters who grew up in Compton, California, have overcome considerable odds to excel in their chosen sport.
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Their accomplishments similar to those of Tiger Woods in golf prove that with hard work, dedication, the right kind of guidance, and nurturing, all Americans can achieve and succeed in activities and careers that have been traditionally reserved for those with a higher economic status. The Williams sisters exemplify this and have smashed many contemporary barriers, providing a beacon of light for all Americans; and so many people have said this could not be done. I commend Venus and Serena for their past deeds and look forward to what their future brings, and we will enjoy the seeds that they have sown across America for years to come.
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to cosponsor H. Res. 94.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I know that the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) was trying to get in before we closed. He is a great tennis player himself and has been playing a long time.
Mr. Speaker, I simply want to commend the gentlewoman from California
(Ms. Millender-McDonald) for her sensitivity in bringing this legislation before us, and I also want to express my appreciation for the opportunity to work with the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella). It is always indeed a pleasure to work with her, and I thank her so much.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
In closing, I also want to thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald), my friend, for introducing this resolution. It does say a lot to the fact that people can make a difference and inspire others to great heights. So I urge adoption of this measure.
Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the achievements and determination of Venus and Serena Williams. These two young women 20 and 19 years old respectively are only in their sixth and third full years as professional tennis players and they have over 43 professional titles between them.
Venus Williams is the first African-American woman to win the Wimbledon Championships since 1958 and she is the first United States woman since 1924 to win an Olympic gold medal in both singles and doubles. She also holds the women's world record for the fastest serve at 127 miles per hour, and is one of only seven women to win the singles titles in both the Wimbledon Championship and the U.S. Open in the same year.
Serena Williams is only the second African-American woman ever to win a Grand Slam singles title and is only the sixth American woman to win the U.S. Open singles title since 1968. Ms. Williams is only the fifth woman to win both singles and doubles Grand Slam titles in the same year, and is the first woman to reach the finals in a U.S. Open debut since 1978.
They are impressive women who overcame social and racial barriers to achieve excellence. Venus and Serena Williams have inspired and encouraged people of all backgrounds and ages, especially those in their hometown of Compton, California, demonstrating through the spirit of sport that education, a good work ethic, teamwork, fortitude, and determination are ingredients for success.
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, in viewing the tremendous achievements of tennis players Venus and Serena Williams, once again on display for the pleasure of their many fans at the U.S. Open in my hometown, New York, one must acknowledge the legacy of past trailblazers, the parental roles of Richard and Oracene Williams and the natural ability of tennis's most recent stars.
Tennis pioneers Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe successfully gained national and international status despite legal and customary exclusion of African-Americans from tennis during most of the 20th century. In 1951 Althea Gibson was the first African-American of either gender to play in U.S. Open and also in 1951 she became the first black American to play at Wimbledon. In 1957 Gibson made history by winning the Wimbledon singles and doubles championships. Breaking ground in the game of tennis, she also became the first Black female to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Despite the confines of race, gender, and class, she transcended the role of black female athletics and became a spokesperson for racial equality and inclusion by challenging racial segregation in American society. By challenging and ultimately transforming the racial and social climate in sports, Gibson created a legacy and opened opportunity for future black tennis players. Similar to the achievements of Gibson, Richmond, Virginia native Arthur Ashe rose to prominence in tennis. Noted for his grace, hard-hit topspin, and outstanding backhand, Ashe won the 1968 U.S. Open, the Australian Open, and the Wimbledon title in 1975.
Following in a great tennis legacy, Venus and Serena Williams have also made history by becoming the first sisters to win Grand Slam crowns individually and collectively in the 20th century.
Almost fifteen years ago, Richard Williams stood on a crumbling tennis court in Compton, California and told his daughter Venus that she was going to be one of the best tennis players in the world. For Williams, a neighborhood tennis coach, this was a bold and idealistic vision because no Black person had excelled in the game since tennis greats Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe. However, despite the odds and the inability to provide expensive and private tennis lessons, Williams and his wife recognized and nurtured the natural ability of Venus and her youngest sister Serena. Similar to the challenges faced by Gibson and Ashe, the issues of race and class were always prevalent in their matches against white competitors. In meeting those obstacles, their parents fostered a work ethic that encouraged them to play aggressively and to always strive to be the best. While catering to their talents, the Williams also valued the education of their daughters and did not allow their schooling to take a back seat. Unlike some parents who sacrificed schooling for competitions, the Williams strongly advocated education and viewed it as a top priority. By instilling a victorious attitude, value in education, and graceful demeanors, Richard and Oracene Williams have given sports and the world two talented athletes and young women who are true role models.
Considered the most dominant players in recent tennis history, Venus and Serena Williams have revolutionized and literally transformed the sport with forty-three professional titles between them. Venus and Serena have broken racial and socio-economic barriers with pride and poise by illustrating to the world that tennis is a sport for all people. The pair made history by becoming the first African-Americans to win national and international titles since tennis pioneers Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe.
Claiming her first Grand Slam victory in 2000 at the age of twenty, Venus Williams became the first African-American female champion at Wimbledon since Gibson in 1957 and 1958. Elevating her game to the next level, Venus is the first American woman since 1924 to win an Olympic gold medal in both singles and doubles. She holds the women's record for the fastest serve at 127 miles per hour, and is one of the seven women to win the singles title in both the Wimbledon Champions and the U.S. Open in 2000 and 2001.
Creating history in her own right, Serena Williams is currently the number one ranking female tennis player. Following in the footsteps of her older sister, Serena is only the second African-American woman ever to win a Grand Slam singles title. She is also the sixth American woman to win the U.S. Open singles title since 1968 and is the fifth woman to win both singles and doubles Grand Slam titles in 2002.
Among other note-worthy titles, the sisters are the first in professional tennis history to each win a Grand Slam singles, the first to be ranked in the top ten simultaneously since 1991, the first to win a Grand Slam doubles title together, the first to compete against one another in Women's Tennis Association Tour Final, and the first to win an Olympic gold medal in doubles together. Recently, rated the numbers one and two women players in professional tennis, the Williams sisters have broken ground in rewriting tennis history with their historic wins.
Inspiring and encouraging thousands of young players from different racial and socio-economic backgrounds, Venus and Serena have become role models for young women of their generation. They have gracefully illustrated and proven that through hard work, dedication, teamwork, and determination all dreams can be achieved. Moreover, the sisters have embraced the notion that high moral and ethical standards and strong family values are the ingredients to success. Putting rhetoric with action, the Williams sisters are actively engaged in encouraging young people in minority communities to become interested in tennis. They are opening doors of opportunity in tennis for young people of color all over this nation and as a result of their work will leave a living legacy of young champions of color in the years to come.
In viewing their accomplishments, the Williams sisters have continued the long tradition and outstanding achievements of blacks in tennis. Furthermore, they have shown the world the continued legacy of Blacks in tennis, the spirit of sportsmanship, and the gift of serving and encouraging young people around the world.
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H. Res. 94, a resolution honoring the contributions and accomplishments of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.
To say that Venus and Serena Williams are trailblazers would be an enormous understatement. The first sisters ever to be ranked number one and two in women's tennis, they have achieved a feat worthy of congressional recognition and international praise.
The Williams sisters first came to the public's attention in 1997 shortly after they began their road to becoming a tennis powerhouse. During that year, the sisters lost nearly every game they played and despite the media attention and the multi-million dollar endorsements, a long-term career in tennis looked bleak. However, within five years these two young ladies managed to propel themselves to arguably become the best women tennis players and most recognized of all time, winning more than seven Grand Slam titles between the two of them.
Mr. Speaker, in their efforts to establish themselves as great athletes, they also established themselves as great role models. Through the Venus and Serena Williams Tutorial/Tennis Academy each year their foundation helps more than 40 inner city kids through the workings of after school programs, summer tennis camps, mentoring, and cultural enrichment education. As a result now more than ever, young African American children are playing sports and participating in programs traditionally played by whites.
With Venus and Serena's performance at the U.S. Open this week, I cannot think of a more fitting time for this resolution to come before the House of Representatives. They have shown and continue to show their dedication to their career and community. They are young leaders who have vowed to take the world by storm, working to defeat everyone in their path so they may reign as tennis champions.
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-
McDonald) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 94.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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