[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 55 (Wednesday, May 6, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E780]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




WELCOMING CLYDE DREXLER AS THE NEW BASKETBALL COACH FOR THE UNIVERSITY 
                           OF HOUSTON COUGARS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 6, 1998

  Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome the new basketball 
coach for the Cougars at the University of Houston--Clyde Drexler.
  Clyde Drexler is truly a coach who not only understands the game but 
understands basketball in Houston--both collegiate--the Houston Cougars 
and national--the Houston Rockets.
  A perennial All-Star and a member of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team, 
Drexler twice led the Blazers to the NBA finals. It wasn't until he 
joined the Houston Rockets midway through his 12th campaign, however, 
that he finally earned a championship ring.
  He has been a leading scorer at 18.5 points per game for the Rockets. 
The 10-time All-Star missed six games in January with an injured 
shoulder.
  He spent the first 11\1/2\ seasons of his career with the Portland 
Trail Blazers before getting traded to the Rockets on February 14, 
1995.
  As a forward in college, Drexler along with fellow current Rocket 
teammate and All-Star Hakeem Olajuwon, formed a front line that took 
the University of Houston's ``Phi Slama Jama'' team to two straight 
trips to the NCAA Final Four in the early 80s.
  Drexler starred at the University of Houston from 1980-1983. He 
currently ranks 13th on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,383 
points.
  As a player in the NBA, Clyde has always been recognized for his 
character and poise in the public spotlight. Now he will have the 
opportunity to teach a new generation of basketball players how to 
conduct themselves with dignity and professionalism both on and off the 
court.
  Drexler will provide young basketball players with the determination 
and guidance needed to succeed in basketball both at the collegiate and 
national level.
  I am glad to welcome him as the coach for the Houston Cougars. But 
more importantly, I wish him and the team good luck on Drexler's first 
season as coach.

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