[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.
____________________