Several members of Iowa’s federal delegation will introduce a resolution Tuesday to congratulate University of Iowa women’s basketball guard Caitlin Clark for becoming the NCAA all-time leading scorer in both men’s and women’s basketball.
Clark beat the men’s record previously held by LSU guard Pete Maravich during a game against the now-ranked No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday.
Iowa’s Republican U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley are leading a Senate resolution to commemorate Clark’s record, while Iowa’s Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who represents the University of Iowa campus, is leading a House version of the resolution.
The resolution also recognizes the impact the Iowa women’s basketball team has had on women’s sports.
“Because of [Caitlin] Clark and the University of Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team, women’s sports are being covered and talked about at the national level in the United States with the same fervor as men’s sports,” a copy of the draft resolution provided to The Daily Iowan states.
Ernst said Clark’s dedication should be an example to young women everywhere that “nothing is impossible with hard work and dedication.”
Clark announced last week that this season will be her last so she can enroll in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Currently, Clark is the top pick in the WNBA draft which is held by the Indiana Fever.
“Iowans are beyond proud of Caitlin Clark and thankful for the opportunity to watch one of the greatest athletes to ever play the game compete in our home state,” Ernst said in a statement to the DI. “As she begins her WNBA career, Clark should know that all of Iowa is behind her.”
Grassley said all eyes will be on her as she begins her journey in the WNBA.
“Caitlin Clark is a true generational talent who has cemented herself as the greatest college basketball player of all time,” Grassley said in a statement to the DI. “Clark, alongside the entire Iowa women’s basketball team, is an inspiration to athletes of all levels, across all sports. All of Iowa will continue to cheer her on as she begins her professional career.”
Miller-Meeks, who frequently attends games when Congress is sent home, said she was honored to witness Caitlin’s “out-of-this-world skills and team cohesion.”
“Caitlin Clark inspires us all,” Miller-Meeks said in a statement to the DI. “I am proud that our delegation is recognizing our very own basketball phenom, and I cannot wait to see what records Caitlin will crush in the future.”
Clark’s role in inspiring young women is not lost on Iowa’s federal delegation and they hope to encapsulate her legacy in the resolution, which a copy is to be delivered to Clark, head coach Lisa Bluder, and UI Athletics Director Beth Goetz upon its passage.
“Clark serves as a role model, demonstrating that dreams are achievable with hard work and dedication,” the draft resolution states. “Iowans are proud of Clark and thankful for the opportunity to watch Clark, one of the greatest athletes to ever play college basketball, compete for the Hawkeyes.”
