WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken marked another historic championship win by the Minnesota Lynx women’s basketball team by introducing a Senate Resolution congratulating the team. In the resolution, the senators recognized the work of the Lynx, who won their third Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Championship in five years. The resolution also recognizes the Twin Cities and state of Minnesota for their enthusiastic support for the team and women’s professional basketball.

"I congratulate the Lynx on their excellent season and for adding yet another championship trophy to their growing collection. Capturing three national championships in the last five years is a very impressive feat," Klobuchar said. "All Minnesotans should be proud of the players, coaches, and staff whose hard work on and off the court has made them an unstoppable force in the league."

“For the third time in five years, the Minnesota Lynx have proven that they are the best of the best,” Franken said. “Minnesotans continue to be inspired by the hard work of the players, coaches, and staff, and I’m looking forward to watching them compete—and continue to dominate—for many seasons to come.”

With a regular season record of 22-12, the Lynx went on to a hard fought playoff season. After defeating the Los Angeles Sparks and the Phoenix Mercury, the Lynx faced the Indiana Fever in the finals. This is the third WNBA Championship for the Minnesota Lynx in five years.

The full text of the resolution is below:

Whereas, on October 14, 2015, the Minnesota Lynx won the 2015 Women’s National Basketball Association (commonly known as the “WNBA”) championship by beating the Indiana Fever 69 to 52 in game 5 at home in Minneapolis;

Whereas this is the third WNBA championship for the Minnesota Lynx in 5 years;

Whereas the Minnesota Lynx have competed in 4 out of the last 5 WNBA Finals;

Whereas the Minnesota Lynx finished the 2015 season with an impressive 22 wins;

Whereas the Minnesota Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks in the Western Conference Semifinals, swept the Phoenix Mercury in the Western Conference Finals, and decisively beat the Indiana Fever in the fifth game of the WNBA Finals;

Whereas a franchise record 18,933 fans attended the clinching game at the Target Center in Minneapolis to cheer on the Minnesota Lynx;

Whereas the Minnesota Lynx—

(1) benefit from stellar leadership from Head Coach Cheryl Reeve and Assistant Coaches Jim Petersen and Shelley Patterson;

(2) feature 5 gold medal-winning athletes, Lindsey Whalen, Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, Asjha Jones, and Sylvia Fowles, the Finals MVP; and

(3) have on the roster highly talented professionals, including Rebekkah Brunson, Renee Montgomery, Anna Cruz, Shae Kelley, Tricia Liston, Kalana Greene, and Devereaux Peters;

Whereas the Minnesota Lynx are 1 of only 4 WNBA teams to win 3 or more WNBA championships; and

Whereas all 3 of the WNBA championships won by the Lynx have come under the coaching of Cheryl Reeve: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate recognizes—

(1) the achievements of the players, coaches, fans, and staff whose dedication helped the Minnesota Lynx win the 2015 WNBA championship; and

(2) the Twin Cities area and the State of Minnesota for enthusiastically supporting women’s professional basketball.

 

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