[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 176 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 176

Recognizing the National Hockey League's New Jersey Devils and National 
  Basketball Association's New Jersey Nets for their accomplishments 
                      during the 2002-2003 season.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 19, 2003

 Mr. Corzine (for himself and Mr. Lautenberg) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the National Hockey League's New Jersey Devils and National 
  Basketball Association's New Jersey Nets for their accomplishments 
                      during the 2002-2003 season.

Whereas the New Jersey Devils defeated the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 3-0 on June 9, 
        2003 to win the Stanley Cup in 7 games;
Whereas the New Jersey Nets won the National Basketball Association (NBA) 
        Eastern Conference Championship and reached the NBA Finals for the 
        second consecutive year before losing a closely contested series to the 
        San Antonio Spurs in 6 games;
Whereas the Devils won their third Stanley Cup in the last 9 years, as many as 
        any other team in that period;
Whereas the Devils and Nets have won over the State of New Jersey (where the 
        first professional basketball game took place in 1898) with their 
        skillful offenses and stifling defenses;
Whereas the Devils and Nets have come to epitomize the never-say-die spirit of 
        the people of New Jersey and have both become an important part of the 
        State and its identity;
Whereas the fans of both New Jersey teams have shown the same spirit and 
        determination in support of their teams and deserve commendation for 
        their loyalty in this season's playoffs;
Whereas the Devils had a 12 win, 1 loss record at the Continental Airlines 
        Arena, the most home wins in the history of the Stanley Cup playoffs;
Whereas the Nets swept both the Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons during a 
        10-game winning streak in this season's playoffs;
Whereas Pat Burns, head coach of the New Jersey Devils, has enjoyed the kind of 
        success that has eluded so many other great coaches, winning his first 
        Stanley Cup title in his first season as head coach of the Devils;
Whereas Byron Scott, head coach of the New Jersey Nets, has guided the Nets to 
        the most wins in franchise history, and has led them to the NBA Finals 
        in 2 of his 3 seasons as head coach;
Whereas Martin Brodeur, regarded by many as the premier playoff goaltender in 
        hockey history, recorded 3 shutouts in the Finals, giving him 7 shutouts 
        during this season's playoffs and 20 during his illustrious postseason 
        career;
Whereas the outstanding playmaking abilities of Jason Kidd, widely regarded as 
        the best point guard in the NBA, has been key to the success of the Nets 
        during the past 2 seasons;
Whereas the outstanding play of Ken Daneyko, Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens, 
        Sergei Brylin, and Scott Neidermayer has been a vital part of each of 
        the 3 Stanley Cup Championships enjoyed by the New Jersey Devils 
        organization;
Whereas Jason Kidd has superb teammates in Brandon Armstrong, Jason Collins, 
        Lucious Harris, Richard Jefferson, Anthony Johnson, Kerry Kittles, Donny 
        Marshall, Kenyon Martin, Dikembe Mutombo, Rodney Rogers, Brian 
        Scalabrine, Tamar Slay, and Aaron Williams, allowing the team to win its 
        second consecutive NBA Eastern Conference championship; and
Whereas the name of each Devils player will be inscribed on the Stanley Cup, 
        including Tommy Albelin, Jiri Bicek, Martin Brodeur, Sergei Brylin, Ken 
        Daneyko, Patrik Elias, Jeff Friesen, Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez, Jamie 
        Langenbrunner, John Madden, Grant Marshall, Jim McKenzie, Scott 
        Niedermayer, Joe Nieuwendyk, Jay Pandolfo, Brian Rafalski, Pascal 
        Rheaume, Mike Rupp, Corey Schwab, Richard Schmelik, Scott Stevens, 
        Turner Stevenson, Oleg Tverdovsky, and Colin White: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the Senate congratulates--
            (1) the New Jersey Devils for their determination, 
        perseverance, and excellence in winning the National Hockey 
        League's 2003 Stanley Cup; and
            (2) the New Jersey Nets for their success during the 2002-
        2003 NBA season.
                                 <all>