[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4262-S4264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMMEMORATING THE 1996 NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY

  Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Senate Resolution 251 
submitted earlier today by myself.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 251) to commemorate and acknowledge 
     the dedication and sacrifice made by the men and women who 
     have lost their lives while serving as law enforcement 
     officers.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. KEMPTHORNE. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, and that any statements relating to the resolution appear at the 
appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  So the resolution (S. Res. 251) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution with its preamble is as follows:

                              S. Res. 251

       Whereas, the well-being of all citizens of this country is 
     preserved and enhanced as a direct result of the vigilance 
     and dedication of law enforcement personnel;
       Whereas, more than 500,000 men and women, at great risk to 
     their personal safety, presently serve their fellow citizens 
     in their capacity as guardians of the peace;
       Whereas, peace officers are the front line in preserving 
     our childrens' right to receive an education in a crime-free 
     environment that is all too often threatened by the insidious 
     fear caused by violence in schools;
       Whereas, 162 peace officers lost their lives in the 
     performance of their duty in 1995, and a total of 13,575 men 
     and women have now made that supreme sacrifice;
       Whereas, every year 1 in 9 officers is assaulted, 1 in 25 
     is injured, and 1 in 4,000 is killed in the line of duty;
       Whereas, on May 15, 1996, more than 15,000 peace officers 
     are expected to gather in our nation's Capital to join with 
     the families of their recently fallen comrades to honor them 
     and all others before them: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate of the United States of America in 
     Congress assembled, That May 15, 1996, is hereby designated 
     as ``National Peace Officers Memorial Day'' for the purpose 
     of recognizing all peace officers slain in the line of duty. 
     The President is authorized and requested to issue a 
     proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to 
     observe this day with the appropriate ceremonies and respect.

[[Page S4263]]



    CONGRATULATION TO THE SIOUX FALLS SKYFORCE ON WINNING THE 1996 
            CONTINENTAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Senate Resolution 252 
submitted earlier today by Senators Pressler and Daschle.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 252) congratulating the Sioux Falls 
     Skyforce, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on winning the 1996 
     Continental Basketball Association Championship.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, due to a last second shot at the buzzer, 
South Dakota is home to the newest champions of professional 
basketball. Last night, the Sioux Falls Skyforce were crowned Champions 
of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). The Skyforce 
dramatically defeated the Fort Wayne (Indiana) Fury, 118-117, after 
overcoming a 16-point deficit. That is my kind of deficit reduction.
  In honor of this event, I am introducing a Senate resolution 
congratulating the Skyforce, and their fans, for this victory. I am 
pleased that Senator Daschle has also agreed to cosponsor the measure.
  At this time, I want to personally extend my congratulations to the 
owners of the Skyforce, Greg Heineman, Robert J. Correa, and Roger 
Larson, General Manager Tommy Smith, and the Skyforce staff, for 
guiding the Skyforce to its first CBA Championship in the team's 7-year 
history. I also congratulate Head Coach Morris ``Mo'' McHone, Assistant 
Coach Paul Woolpert, and the talented Skyforce players, especially 
Playoff MVP Henry James. Their hard work, sweat, and determination 
really paid off when it counted. The Skyforce won the championship 
convincingly, beating Fort Wayne four games to one.
  Most of all, I congratulate the people of Sioux Falls and the 
surrounding area. They have enthusiastically embraced the Skyforce and 
provided loyal support over the years. The success of the Skyforce, and 
the CBA as a league, prove that professional basketball can survive and 
prosper in smaller cities across the Nation. I have been to many 
Skyforce games. Their games are always very fun and exciting. It is 
family-orientated entertainment at its best.
  Sioux Falls is rapidly becoming a sports mecca in the Midwest. The 
city's current professional baseball team, the Sioux Falls Canaries, 
have been playing in the northern league since 1993. But the city has 
been home to a number of professional baseball teams since the 
beginning of the century. Professional teams from other sports would do 
well to take note of the city's enthusiasm for sports and consider 
moving to Sioux Falls.
  Finally, Mr. President, let me state that I was thrilled to learn of 
the Skyforce victory for personal reasons. Before the final series 
began for the CBA Championship, I made a small wager with the Senator 
from Indiana, Senator Coats. I gambled 12 pounds of South Dakota's 
finest steak, while my colleague risked 12 gallons of Edy's Grand Ice 
Cream, made in Fort Wayne. This afternoon, my good friend from Indiana 
graciously paid off. I will gladly take a scoop or two, but I will be 
sharing the fruits of this victory with several children's charities in 
Sioux Falls.
  Mr. President, I ask consent that a roster of the Skyforce players 
and staff, along with a news article about the Skyforce victory, be 
printed in the Record.
  I yield the floor.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows.

                      1995-96 Sioux Falls Skyforce


                                PLAYERS

       Stevin Smith, Reggie Fox, Trevor Wilson, Henry James, Corey 
     Beck, Carlton McKinney, Emmett Hall, Tony Massop, Rich King, 
     Devin Gray, Mike Williams.


                                COACHES

       Morris ``Mo'' McHone, Paul Woolpert.


                                 OWNERS

       Greg Heineman, Robert J. Correa, Roger Larson.


                                 STAFF

       Tommy Smith, John Etrhelm, Renae Sallquist, Tom Savage, 
     Laura Musser, Sandra Hogan, Tim Hoover, Trent Dlugosh, Scott 
     Brako, Scott Johnson.
                                                                    ____


           [From the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader, Apr. 25, 1996]

             We're No. 1--Gray's Shot Gives Skyforce Title

                            (By Stu Whitney)

       Fort Wayne, Ind.--If Devin Gray didn't have NBA playoff 
     tickets, the Skyforce might not be the Continental Basketball 
     Association champions today.
       But he does. And Sioux Falls has something to scream about.
       Gray wanted to end the CBA Finals on Wednesday night so he 
     could catch tonight's first-round game in Indianapolis 
     between the Pacers and Atlanta Hawks. He got front-row 
     tickets from his friend Dale Davis, who plays for Indiana.
       The rookie forward made it happen by swishing a leaning 7-
     footer at the buzzer, giving the Skyforce a 118-117 Game 5 
     win over the Fort Wayne Fury before 4,377 at the Allen County 
     War Memorial Coliseum.
       Gray's drive from the right side sealed the fifth 
     consecutive road victory for Sioux Falls, which took the 
     best-of-seven series 4-1.
       And after seven years of searching for greatness, this 
     ambitious franchise has finally--and emphatically--reached 
     the top.
       ``If I had to draw the play up, I'd do it the same way,'' a 
     beaming Gray said as his teammates eagerly embraced the Jay 
     Ramsdell Trophy with help from owners, wives, girlfriends and 
     fans.
       ``I was looking to get the rock and go to the hole, and I 
     figured I'd either make it or get fouled. They didn't call 
     the foul, so I'm glad it went in. I was laying on the court 
     when it did.''
       Playoff MVP Henry James led Sioux Falls (42-26) with 26 
     points, while Trevor Wilson added 24 and Reggie Fox had 20 
     behind four 3-pointers.
       James was hugged by his mother, Betty, after winning his 
     second CBA title before 75 family members and friends in his 
     hometown.
       And he professed faith in the timely touch of Gray.
       ``I was used as a decoy, and I knew his shot was going 
     in,'' said James, donning a freshly furnished Skyforce 
     championship cap and T-shirt.
       ``He was able to lower his shoulder moving along the 
     baseline, and you can't let him do that. He's too strong. 
     We've all seen him make that shot a million times.''
       But Fort Wayne--which got 29 points from Jaren Jackson and 
     Carl Thomas--refused to end its surprisingly successful 
     season without an admirable and fitting fight.
       The Fury (32-38) led by as many as 15 points in the third 
     quarter and nearly forced Game 6 in Sioux Falls with a heroic 
     shot of its own.
       Thomas, who struggled mightly in the first four games, 
     gently coaxed in a driving one-hander with 2.9 seconds left 
     to give his team a 117-116 lead that delighted the devoted 
     crowd.
       But during the ensuing timeout, Skyforce coach Mo McHone 
     figured that Fort Wayne would be mainly concerned about the 
     Skyforce/See 5C perimeter potency of James and Fox.
       Having seen Gray perform with toughness and maturity 
     throughout the playoffs, he called upon his seventh-round 
     draft pick out of Clemson, who finished with 17 points.
       Gray had missed two crucial free throws with 35 seconds 
     left, but he had also preceded Thomas' basket with a strong 
     drive that put Sioux Falls briefly ahead by one.
       ``Devin's been on five for us, and Trevor set him up with a 
     great (inbounds) pass,'' said McHone, who is the first coach 
     to claim consecutive CBA titles since Bill Musselman won four 
     in a row (1985-88).
       ``We've been winning games like this, and this was such a 
     great way to end it. We just fought hard all night, because 
     we had to. They pretty much outplayed us.''
       But never was McHone worried, not with a team that has 
     frequently floored him during a magical playoff run.
       By winning three straight to clinch the title on Fort 
     Wayne's floor, the Skyforce once again displayed a maturity 
     that stemmed from having a meaningful mission.
       ``We were lucky and good--and we came together when it 
     counted,'' said Wilson, who added 11 rebounds and six 
     assists.
       ``Earlier in the season, we were trying to win, but guys 
     were also worrying about NBA callups and overseas offers. 
     There was a little more selfishness at that point.
       ``When the playoffs started, everyone realized there was 
     one common goal, and we did what we had to do.''
       Both Wilson and Fox said they wanted to return to Sioux 
     Falls, but not for a basketball game. Only for a celebration.
       And when the CBA's finest team crooned ``We Are The 
     Champions'' as cameras captured the moment, it seemed 
     celebrating was the only logical thing to do.

  Mr. KEMPTHORNE. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed 
to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon 
the table, and that any statements relating

[[Page S4264]]

to the resolution appear at the appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  So the resolution (S. Res. 252) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution with its preamble is as follows:

                              S. Res. 252

       Whereas the Sioux Falls Skyforce are the 1996 Champions of 
     the Continental Basketball Association, a professional 
     basketball league consisting of 12 teams from around the 
     country;
       Whereas the Sioux Falls Skyforce defeated the Fort Wayne 
     Fury, of Fort-Wayne, Indiana, 4 games to 1 in the best-of-
     seven championship series;
       Whereas the 1996 Continental Basketball Association 
     Championship is the first championship in the 7-year history 
     of the Sioux Falls Skyforce;
       Whereas the Sioux Falls Skyforce players exemplify the 
     virtues of hard work, determination, and a dedication to 
     developing their talents to the highest levels; and
       Whereas the people and businesses of Sioux Falls, South 
     Dakota, and the surrounding area have demonstrated 
     outstanding loyalty and support for the Sioux Falls Skyforce 
     throughout the 7-year history of the team: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Sioux Falls Skyforce and their loyal 
     fans on winning the 1996 Continental Basketball Association 
     Championship;
       (2) recognizes and commends the hard work, determination, 
     and commitment to excellence shown by the Sioux Falls 
     Skyforce owners, coaches, players, and staff throughout the 
     1996 season; and
       (3) recognizes and commends the people of Sioux Falls, 
     South Dakota, and the surrounding area for their outstanding 
     loyalty and support of the Sioux Falls Skyforce throughout 
     the 7-year history of the team.

                          ____________________