[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 99 (Friday, June 16, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S8527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HOUSTON ROCKETS WIN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, on Wednesday a team from my home 
State, the Houston Rockets, won their second consecutive NBA 
Championship, defeating the Orlando Magic four games to none. The 
Rockets overcame everything from injuries to midseason trade to, 
finally, one of the toughest playoff schedules over.
  To understand the full significance of Wednesday night's victory, Mr. 
President, you must understand the history of Houston's two star 
players, Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. Both attended the 
University of Houston in the first part of the 1980's. In 1983 and 
1984, Olajuwon and Drexler took their University of Houston team to the 
NCAA National Championship game. Soon after, they both went their 
separate ways. But this past Valentine's Day, in a trade many sports 
critics called unnecessary, the Rockets put Drexler back with his old 
college teammate Olajuwon. Wednesday night, the critics were proven 
wrong.
  The Houston Rockets set an NBA playoff record by winning seven road 
games in a row. On their way to the NBA title, they won 11 out of their 
last 13 games. In the Western Conference Finals, they defeated the team 
with the best record in the regular season, another treasured Texas gem 
the San Antonio Spurs. As a team that never got the respect that it 
deserved when it won the title last year, Houston can now celebrate a 
title that will long be remembered. For most of the team, the second 
one is so much sweeter; but to Clyde Drexler, after 12 years in the 
NBA, this is the sweetest.
  Mr. President, to repeat as champions with a four-game sweep is 
unprecedented. Five times the Rockets faced elimination and five 
times--with poise, determination, and character--they prevailed. The 
championship was a total team effort and everyone contributed.
  Mr. President, I am sure that my colleagues will be glad to join me 
in congratulating the 1995 NBA World Champion Houston Rockets. For a 
team that started the playoffs with the sixth seed in the tournament, 
they are the lowest seed ever to win a World Championship. The Rockets 
showed their most adamant critics that they were not about to give up. 
In the words of head coach Rudy Tomjonavich, ``Never underestimate the 
heart of a champion.''
  Mr. President, I just wanted to make sure that we recognized this 
great team effort, and the heart of these champions. And I am very 
proud of the Houston Rockets today, as last year, for their repeat 
world championship in basketball Wednesday.
  I yield the floor, and I thank you, Mr. President.

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