[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 17, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3478-S3479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CHICAGO BULLS WIN 70 GAMES

  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, I want to take this opportunity to 
commemorate a historic moment for the city of Chicago and the State of 
Illinois. Over the years, the members of this greatest deliberative 
body have engaged in some of the most compelling debates the world has 
ever heard: issues of States' rights, war and peace, and individual 
liberty. But as of last evening, one debate need no longer be 
considered: which is the greatest NBA team of all time, at least 
through the regular season. By recording their unprecedented 70th win 
of the regular season, the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls are one of the best 
teams of all time, and when they go on to secure an NBA championship, 
they will be without question, the greatest team in the history of 
professional basketball.
  In the 49-year history of the National Basketball Association, no 
team has won 70 games in one season until the Chicago Bulls 
accomplished that remarkable feat--I am sad to say to my dear friend 
and colleague from Wisconsin, Senator Kohl--by defeating the Milwaukee 
Bucks last night 86 to 80. By winning their 70th game in 79 tries, the 
Bulls eclipsed a 24-year-old record set by the Los Angeles Lakers and 
now stand alone on the other side of what once was considered an 
impregnable barrier.
  This year's Bulls team has elevated itself to an elite level in the 
history of sports. This team deserves to be ranked on the same level as 
the 1927 New York Yankees, the 1972 Miami Dolphins, and the 1977 
Montreal Canadiens--all teams that embodied perfection in sports. It 
might also be noted that with this 70th win, Chicago now holds the 
distinguished honor of having or sharing three of the four major sports 
records for most wins in a regular season--the 1906 Cubs in baseball, 
116 wins, the 1985 Bears in football, 15 wins and now, the Chicago 
Bulls. I know I speak for Bulls fans across the country in saying that 
we are energized and excited by the zealous pursuit of victory 
exhibited by our team this year.

  It is no coincidence that the greatest team of all time is being 
propelled by the greatest player of all time--Michael Jordan. Michael 
Jordan has a combination of power and panache unmatched in the history 
of the NBA. He refuses to lose and his competitive nature, floor 
leadership, and will to win lifts the playing level of all those around 
him.
  Mr. President, we all know that in team sports, true greatness cannot 
be achieved alone. Michael Jordan is surrounded by outstanding players 
in their own right--Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoc, and the 
rest of the lineup. Coach Phil Jackson has been able to skillfully mesh 
all the personalities of this team into an extraordinary combination of 
teamwork and individual achievement. The result is the 70-win 
accomplishment that has eluded basketball's best players and teams for 
decades.

[[Page S3479]]

  On behalf of the city of Chicago and the State of Illinois, I want to 
offer my State's hearty congratulations to Coach Jackson and the entire 
Bulls organization for winning 70 games in the 1995-96 regular season, 
a record that may never be equaled.

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