[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 4, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E766]]
               WIZARDS OF WESTWOOD RECLAIM NATIONAL TITLE

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                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 1995
  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the new NCAA 
National Basketball Champion UCLA Bruins.
  It was a night for the ages. It was a night for the new to replenish 
the old, a night to cast-off the shackles of history of the glory of 
the present, a night for old ghosts to summon new heroes. It was a 
night for the UCLA Bruins to sustain its magnificent legacy with a 
performance worthy of its storied past. The Bruins delivered--
emphatically.
  The game between the UCLA Bruins and defending national champion 
Arkansas Razorbacks was truly a battle of titans. The Razorbacks were 
trying to become only the second NCAA basketball champion to repeat in 
22 years. The Bruins were trying to win their first championship in 20 
years. They did not disappoint. They played with the skill, intensity, 
and determination that befitted champions, past and present. It was 
like Ali and Frazier, Secretariat and Affirmed, Magic and Bird. 
Champions who transcended their sport and brought out the best in each 
other.
  The game was played with Bruins past and present watching from the 
sidelines. The Wizard of Westwood, John Wooden, was in the stands. Tyus 
Edney, the Little General, was sitting on the bench with a badly 
sprained wrist. It was said that the Bruins could not match the 
Arkansas bench. It was said that Bruins could not match Arkansas size 
and strength. Finally, it was said that the Bruins simply could not 
match the skill and resiliency of the defending champions. But the 
Bruins were more than a match for the Razorbacks.
  When the Razorbacks pressed, the Bruins attacked with speed and 
precision. When the Razorbacks took it to the hole, the Bruins blocked 
shots, stole passes and held the vaunted Arkansas inside game to season 
lows in points and rebounds. When the Razorbacks shot the rock from the 
perimeter, the Bruins held Arkansas sharpshooters to an abysmal 10 of 
28. And when the Razorbacks made a final frenzied run, the Bruins 
kicked out the jams and ran away for a 89-78 victory.
  The critics have been silenced. Digger Phelps, Dickie V. and the rest 
of hoop punditry must now pay the Bruins their due respect as the 11th 
NCAA National Championship banner is hung from the rafters of Pauly 
Pavilion.


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