[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
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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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