[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 72 (Monday, June 12, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4955-S4956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 321--TO CONGRATULATE THE NEW JERSEY DEVILS FOR THEIR 
 OUTSTANDING DISCIPLINE, DETERMINATION, AND INGENUITY, IN WINNING THE 
         2000 NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE'S STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself and Mr. Torricelli) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 321

       Whereas the New Jersey Devils at 45-29-8, posted the second 
     best regular season record in the NHL's Eastern Conference 
     and were awarded the fourth seed in the playoffs;
       Whereas the Devils displayed a potent offense and stifling 
     defense throughout the regular season and playoffs before 
     beating the defending champion Dallas Stars to win their 
     second Stanley Cup in 5 years;
       Whereas the Devils epitomize New Jersey pride with their 
     heart, stamina, and drive and thus have become a part of New 
     Jersey culture;
       Whereas the New Jersey Devils did what no other team had 
     done before, coming back from a three games to one deficit to 
     win a Conference Championship and advance to the Stanley cup 
     Finals;
       Whereas Scott Stevens, winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as 
     the Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup playoffs, is one 
     of the fiercest competitors in the game today and is a true 
     team leader who served as captain of the Devils' 1995 and 
     2000 Stanley Cup Championship teams;
       Whereas Scott Gomez, a gifted, young playmaker was named 
     the league's Rookie of the Year and is the first Hispanic 
     player to compete in the NHL;
       Whereas goalie Martin Brodeur's lifetime goals against 
     average of 2.19 is the best in NHL history and his 162 wins 
     over a four-season span since 1996-97 are the most in league 
     history;
       Whereas head coach Larry Robinson served as an assistant on 
     the 1995 championship team and took over as head coach late 
     this season;
       Whereas the New Jersey Devils take great pride in playing 
     in new Jersey, and spend a great deal of time giving back to 
     the community;
       Whereas Lou Lamoriello, President/General Manager of the 
     New Jersey Devils since 1987, his staff, and his players 
     displayed outstanding dedication, teamwork unselfishness, and 
     sportsmanship throughout the course of the season in 
     achieving hockey's highest honor;
       Whereas longtime team owner John McMullen was born and 
     raised in New Jersey and is responsible for bringing the 
     Devils to the Garden State;
       Whereas the support of all the Devils fans and the people 
     of New Jersey helped make winning the Stanley Cup possible;
       Whereas each one of the Devils players will be remembered 
     on the premier sports trophy, the Stanley Cup, including: 
     Jason Arnott, Brad Bombardir, Martin Brodeur, Steve Brule, 
     Sergei Brylin, Ken Daneyko, Patrik Elias, Scott Gomex, Bobby 
     Holik, Steve Kelly, Claude Lemieux, John Madden, Vladimir 
     Malakhov, Randy McKay, Alexander Mogilny, Sergei Nemchinov, 
     Scott Niedermayer, Krzysztof Oliwa, Jay Pandolfo, Deron 
     Quint, Brian Rafalski, Scott Stevens, Ken Sutton, Petr 
     Sykora, Chris Terreri, and Colin White; now, therefore be it
       Resolved, That the United States Senate congratulates the 
     New Jersey Devils on winning Lord Stanley's Cup for the 2000 
     National Hockey League Championship.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate the New Jersey 
Devils for winning the National Hockey League's 2000 Stanley Cup 
Championship. On Saturday night, the Devils defeated the Dallas Stars 2 
to 1 in double overtime to win the finals in six games. This is the 
second time in five years that the Devils have hoisted Lord Stanley's 
trophy above their heads.
  The Devils are what New Jersey pride is all about. Their heart, 
stamina, and drive have endeared them to millions of fans and have made 
them a permanent part of New Jersey's culture. Team members, who hail 
from all over the globe, also reflect the tremendous diversity of New 
Jersey's population. One player--Scott Gomez--is the first Hispanic 
player to compete in the NHL and the league's rookie of the year. The 
Devils have turned their cultural differences into a source of strength 
and have proved what is possible when team members work together to 
achieve a sport's highest honor.
  Mr. President, apart from their contributions to hockey, the New 
Jersey

[[Page S4956]]

Devils are also outstanding citizens. Defenseman Ken Daneyko, for 
example, is a leader both on and off the ice. Ken is one of the 
original Devil players and was an alternate captain. He has played 
1,071 games in a Devils uniform and has participated in all 109 Devils 
playoff games. Ken is also a community leader who owns an Italian 
restaurant in Caldwell and is an active member of New Jersey's chapter 
of the national Children's Miracle Network. Indeed, all the team 
members are proud to play for New Jersey and spend much of their free 
time giving back to the community.
  The success of any organization starts at the top. And there is no 
question that the success the New Jersey Devils have enjoyed would not 
have been possible without the leadership of two great New Jersey 
citizens: team chairman John J. McMullen and co-owner John C. 
Whitehead. John McMullen is one of the NHL's most innovative, committed 
owners. A graduate of Montclair High School and the Naval Academy, John 
has been honored many times for his civic contributions. He and John 
Whitehead, a former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, brought the team to 
New Jersey as a service to their home state.
  Mr. President, the players, coaches and staff with the New Jersey 
Devils showed outstanding dedication, teamwork and sportsmanship in 
achieving hockey's highest honor. They are not only the best team in 
the NHL, they are one of the finest organizations in professional 
sports.

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