[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 81 (Friday, June 19, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6696-S6697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                UTAH JAZZ--WESTERN CONFERENCE NBA CHAMPS

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate my home team, 
the Utah Jazz, on their remarkable season and thrilling playoff run. 
For the second straight year, the Jazz won the NBA's Western Conference 
in impressive fashion and lost a well-fought series to the Chicago 
Bulls by the slimmest of margins.
  As one of the team's most faithful fans, I share the heartache of the 
players and coaches, who came so close to reaching their goal only to 
fall one point short of a seventh game. However, I am confident that 
Jazz fans everywhere share my feelings of pride in the season that 
these gutsy, tenacious players gave us to enjoy.
  To those players who believe that professional sports have become 
just another business with big salaries and product licenses, I will 
simply say that the Utah Jazz personify everything that is good about 
the game of basketball. The Jazz believe in teamwork, pure 
fundamentals, courage, and determination.
  Basketball fans throughout the country have become enamored with the

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Jazz and their old-fashioned work ethic. Often facing younger and more 
athletic teams, the Jazz have relied on their trademark discipline and 
teamwork to overwhelm their opponents.
  However, it is not just the Jazz's triumphs on the basketball court 
that are spectacular--such as winning over 76 percent of this season's 
games and compiling an 11-3 mark through the Western Conference 
playoffs, punctuated by a 4-game sweep of the formidable Los Angeles 
Lakers. The examples they set for our youth off the court are just as 
noteworthy. Many of the players give of their time, talents and money 
to better our community. They have been unafraid to display to the 
world that you can be a superstar and a good citizen, friend, and 
father. Our team is made up of high caliber individuals. They have 
worked hard, believed in each other, and have displayed tremendous 
poise and dignity throughout a challenging season.
  Once again this year, Utahns were privileged to watch the timeless 
duo of John Stockton and Karl Marlone work their magic.
  By flawlessly executing there signature pick-and-roll time and time 
again, these two basketball legends led the Jazz to a 62-win season 
that classified as the best record in the NBA this season and included 
2 wins and no losses in match-up with the Bulls. In fact, if you take 
into account every game in which the Jazz and the Bulls faced one 
another this year, each team won four. So, the way I see it, the Bulls 
win in Game 6 achieved a draw in the Jazz-Bulls rivalry for the entire 
'97-'98.

  I do want to congratulate the Chicago Bulls on another fine season 
and a tremendous victory in the Finals. My hat is off to Michael Jordan 
and the Bulls for a spectacular playoff performance. Michael Jordan's 
skills and superb performances will be applauded for many years to 
come. No one can dispute that this team is comprised of very talented 
players who have excited and entertained basketball fans around the 
world for most of this decade.
  Years from now, as I look back at this Jazz team, I will fondly 
remember this remarkable season and the joy they brought to all their 
fans. It has been my pleasure to attend many games at the Delta Center 
and to join in the cheering and excitement. It has been my honor to 
represent the state with the classiest team in the NBA.
  The Utah Jazz would not have been able to achieve such success 
without the contributions and talents of some very key people. I 
commend head coach Jerry Sloan and his staff for the gritty, hard-nosed 
approach that they have given to the team. Coach Sloan never gave 
excuses when things went awry and always expected his players to give 
their best efforts, every minute of every game. He has the complete 
respect of all of his players--the greatest accolade a coach can 
receive.
  Jazz Owner Larry Miller knew what it would mean for Utah to have its 
own NBA basketball team. He enabled the Jazz to stay in Salt Lake City. 
He has displayed great leadership and commitment to the team and the 
community throughout his many years of owning this team.
  Team President Frank Layden has always encouraged, motivated, and 
commanded respect from the players and the community. His enthusiasm 
creates community spirit and strengthens conviction in our team.
  And Scott Layden's savvy, and superb sense of what makes a champion 
has continued to propel the Jazz to greater heights. He has always 
conducted the business of the Jazz with professionalism, and is one of 
the most highly-respected front office people in the league.
  To the players, I offer my congratulations on an exceptional season. 
Each of these fine individuals--Karl, John, Jeff, Byron, Greg, Antoine, 
Shandon, Howard, Chris, Adam, Greg, and Jacque--contributed greatly to 
the success of this team. On behalf of Jazz fans everywhere, I thank 
you all for taking us on yet another memorable journey to the NBA 
Finals. Let's do it gain next year.
  Mr. President, I am proud of the Jazz and the unique spirit of unity 
that they have brought to the state of Utah. Win or lose, they act with 
professionalism and class both on and off the court. They are champions 
in every sense of the word.

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