[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 596 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 596
Congratulating the Boston Celtics on winning the 2008 National
Basketball Association Championship.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 19, 2008
Mr. Kerry (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Reed, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Dodd,
Mr. Sununu, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Gregg) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary
June 23, 2008
Committee discharged; considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Congratulating the Boston Celtics on winning the 2008 National
Basketball Association Championship.
Whereas, on June 17, 2008, the Boston Celtics won the 2008 National Basketball
Association Championship (referred to in this preamble as the ``2008
Championship'') in 6 games over the Los Angeles Lakers;
Whereas the 2008 Championship was the 17th world championship won by the
Celtics, the most in the history of the National Basketball Association
(referred to in this preamble as the ``NBA'');
Whereas the 2008 Championship marked the culmination of the greatest single
season turnaround in the history of the NBA, as the Celtics improved
from a record of 24-58 during the 2007-2008 season to a league-best 66-
16 mark during the 2007-2008 campaign;
Whereas the 2008 Celtics NBA Championship team, like all great Celtics champions
of the past, epitomized team work, selflessness, character, effort,
camaraderie, toughness, and determination;
Whereas the 2008 Celtics honored the rich legacy of their franchise, which was--
(1) established by a legion of all-time greats, including Bill Russell,
Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones,
Jo Jo White, Dave Cowens, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, and
Tom ``Satch'' Sanders; and
(2) masterminded by one of the legendary coaches of all sports, Arnold
``Red'' Auerbach;
Whereas Celtics managing partner Wyc Grousbeck and the entire Celtics ownership
group never wavered from paying the price to raise ``Banner #17'' to the
Garden rafters;
Whereas the 2008 Celtics were brought together by a former Celtics player, Danny
Ainge, whose off-season acquisitions of NBA All-Stars Kevin Garnett and
Ray Allen earned him the 2008 NBA Executive of the Year Award;
Whereas the Celtics were led by Doc Rivers, who--
(1) oversaw the smooth integration of new superstars and untested young
players into the Celtics lineup; and
(2) assembled, and ensured the execution of, a masterful NBA Finals
game plan;
Whereas the Celtics featured a 21st century ``Big Three'' comprised of Paul
Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, 3 veteran players who worked
together and never allowed their personal ambition or pursuit of
individual statistics to interfere with the goal of the team to win a
championship;
Whereas a group of talented young players contributed pivotal roles in the march
of the Celtics to the 2008 Championship, including point guard Rajon
Rondo, center Kendrick Perkins, forward Leon Powe, guard Tony Allen, and
forward Glen ``Big Baby'' Davis;
Whereas the valuable bench of the Celtics was stocked with veteran role players
who made significant contributions during the season, including forward
James Posey, guard Eddie House, guard Sam Cassell, forward P.J. Brown,
forward Brian Scalabrine, and center Scott Pollard;
Whereas the 2008 Celtics team demonstrated remarkable poise and gained
invaluable playoff experience in defeating the Atlanta Hawks, the
Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Detroit Pistons in hard-fought series
during which every possession counted at both the offensive and
defensive ends of the floor;
Whereas, after 26 playoff games, the Celtics ultimately secured the 17th NBA
Championship of the franchise in one of the most dominating performances
in NBA history, a 39-point rout of the Lakers in front of a raucous
Garden crowd; and
Whereas the Celtics fans in the State of Massachusetts, in New England, and
throughout the world never gave up hope that the franchise would someday
return to glory and give a new generation of Celtics fans the
opportunity to celebrate a championship: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) congratulates--
(A) the Boston Celtics for winning the 2008
National Basketball Association Championship, including
the players, head coach, coaches, support staff, and
team owners and executives whose ability, hard work,
dedication, and spirit made the season possible; and
(B) the Los Angeles Lakers for their success during
the 2008 season and winning the National Basketball
Association Western Conference Championship; and
(2) directs the Enrolling Clerk of the Senate to transmit
an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
(A) the 2008 Boston Celtics team;
(B) Celtics head coach Doc Rivers;
(C) Celtics general manager Danny Ainge; and
(D) Celtics managing partner Wyc Grousbeck.
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