WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Rand Paul, both of Kentucky, announced today the Senate passed their resolution honoring the University of Louisville men’s and women’s basketball teams. The text of the resolution reads as follows:

S.Res.100 – University of Louisville Basketball

Commending and congratulating the University of Louisville men's basketball team for winning its third Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association championship, and the University of Louisville women's basketball team for being runner up in the 2013 Women's Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball Tournament.

Whereas, on April 8, 2013, the University of Louisville Cardinals defeated the University of Michigan Wolverines, 82 to 76, in the final game of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as “NCAA”) Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia;

Whereas the Louisville Cardinals have won 3 national titles and appeared in 10 NCAA Final Fours, their first title and third Final Four appearance under Coach Rick Pitino;

Whereas Hall of Fame Coach Rick Pitino is the only coach to win NCAA national men’s basketball championships at 2 universities;

Whereas senior guard Peyton Siva has led the Cardinals to 2 Big East Conference Tournament Championships, 2 NCAA Final Fours, and 1 NCAA national title while playing for the University of Louisville men’s basketball team;

Whereas junior center Gorgui Dieng was named Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Big East, along with junior guard Russ Smith;

Whereas junior forward Luke Hancock was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2013 NCAA Final Four, the first nonstarter to win the award;

Whereas each player, coach, athletic trainer, and staff member of the University of Louisville men’s basketball team dedicated their season and tireless efforts to a successful team effort;

Whereas the University of Louisville women’s basketball team inspired the people of the Commonwealth with its memorable and exciting run in the tournament and for being the lowest-seeded team to make it to the NCAA title game since the inaugural women’s championship game in 1982;

Whereas residents of the City of Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky and Cardinal fans worldwide are to be commended for their long-standing support, perseverance, and pride in this team; and

Whereas Coach Rick Pitino, Coach Jeff Walz, and the University Louisville Cardinals have brought pride and honor to the City of Louisville and the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky this season, which is rightly known as the college basketball capital of the world:

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) commends and congratulates the University of Louisville Cardinals on its outstanding accomplishment; and

(2) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the president of the University of Louisville.