[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 120 (Thursday, September 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1733-E1734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO THE PHOENIX MERCURY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 1997

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, the Mercury is rising in Phoenix and it's 
not due to the weather.
  I'm referring to the Phoenix Mercury, my hometown's WNBA Western 
Conference Champions.

[[Page E1734]]

  I know that Phoenicians and Arizonans alike join me in congratulating 
the Phoenix Mercury for their successful inaugural season, for which we 
are very proud. Through the energetic leadership of Coach Cheryl 
Miller, former Olympian and a winner of the WNBA Coach of the Year 
Award, the Mercury games led the league in attendance and drew 16,751 
fans for the playoff game.
  As you may know, the Mercury players quickly captured the heart and 
following of many sports fans throughout the country, but especially in 
Arizona. With the team's spark plug, Michele Timms, and the great 
performance of honor roll players such as Bridget Pettis, Jennifer 
Gillom, and Toni Foster, the Mercury had screaming fans with their arms 
outstretched above their heads to raise the roof off the America West 
Arena at every game. This excitement and fever spread throughout the 
Valley of the Sun and the Nation and caught the attention of hundreds 
of young girls and women who themselves now aspire to WNBA careers. 
Through the Mercury players, they have seen that women too can partake 
in professional basketball career opportunities in addition to other 
athletic careers.
  From the beginning of the season, Cheryl Miller promised to give fans 
the championship. While we were disappointed in the loss to New York, 
the fans have not been disappointed in the coach or the players or 
their overall performance.
  Through the ups and downs of the season, they gave it their all and 
we are very proud of them. I want to thank the team, Coach Miller and 
the players, for their fantastic effort and I look forward to a great 
future for the Phoenix Mercury.

                          ____________________