ENROLLED SENATE
CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION NO. 37	By:	Halligan, Fields, Adelson, Aldridge, Allen, Anderson, Ballenger, Barrington, Bass, Bingman, Branan, Brecheen, Brinkley, Brown, Burrage, Childers, Coates, Crain, David, Eason McIntyre, Ellis, Ford, Garrison, Griffin, Holt, Ivester, Johnson (Constance), Johnson (Rob), Jolley, Justice, Laster, Lerblance, Marlatt, Mazzei, McAffrey, Newberry, Nichols, Paddack, Russell, Schulz, Shortey, Simpson, Sparks, Stanislawski, Sykes, Treat, Wilson and Wyrick of the Senate

			and

	Denney, Williams, Kouplen, Murphey, Condit, Armes, Casey and Dorman of the House

A Concurrent Resolution congratulating the Oklahoma State University Cowgirls Basketball Team for winning the 2012 Women's National Invitation Tournament; extending condolences; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, the Oklahoma State University Cowgirls Basketball Team has demonstrated courage and tenacity in the face of great tragedy; and

WHEREAS, OSU women's basketball head coach Kurt Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna perished in a plane crash on November 17, 2011, along with OSU alumni, pilot and former Oklahoma State Senator Olin Branstetter and his wife, Paula; and

WHEREAS, the OSU Cowgirls promised to pay honor to those who died and fulfilled that promise by persevering in 2012 under the direction of assistant coach Jim Littell with a 22-12 season.  The team landed a spot in the Women's National Invitation Tournament, marking the sixth straight year the program has competed in postseason play – a school record; and

WHEREAS, the Cowgirls won the WNIT for the first time in program history after defeating James Madison 75-68 in Stillwater; and

WHEREAS, the team honored their lost leaders by allowing Budke's wife, Shelley, to cut the final piece of net from the hoop; and

WHEREAS, the team has a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.04; and

WHEREAS, the OSU women's basketball program was honored by RUSSELL ATHLETIC and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) receiving the inaugural RUSSELL ATHLETIC "Together We R" Team Award, which honors programs that have striven to succeed in the face of adversity, overcoming extraordinary circumstances.  The Cowgirls exemplified a strong commitment to the core values of togetherness, courage, unparalleled work ethic and heart, and personified the "Together We R" belief that teams are stronger than individuals.  The team was presented with the award at the second annual WBCA Awards Show.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 53RD OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN:

THAT the Oklahoma Legislature congratulates the Oklahoma State University Cowgirls Basketball Team for their outstanding 2012 season and for persevering in the face of great tragedy.

THAT the Oklahoma Legislature extends sincere condolences to the Budke, Herrera, Serna and Branstetter families.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to Coach Jim Littell, President Burns Hargis, Athletic Director Mike Holder, the OSU/AM Board of Regents, Shelley Budke, Nettie Herrera, and the Branstetter family.

Adopted by the Senate the 12th day of April, 2012.

	
	Presiding Officer of the Senate

Adopted by the House of Representatives the 12th day of April, 2012.

	
	Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives