[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 20, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S5469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 324--TO COMMEND AND CONGRATULATE THE LOS ANGELES 
LAKERS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING DRIVE, DISCIPLINE, AND MASTERY IN WINNING 
         THE 2000 NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mrs. Boxer) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 324

       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the greatest 
     sports franchises ever;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers have won 12 National 
     Basketball Association Championships;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers are the second winningest 
     team in National Basketball Association history;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers, at 67-15, posted the best 
     regular season record in the National Basketball Association;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers have fielded such superstars 
     as George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, 
     Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson, and now, 
     Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant;
       Whereas Shaquille O'Neal led the league in scoring and 
     field goal percentage on his way to winning the National 
     Basketball Association's Most Valuable Player award, winning 
     the IBM Award for greatest overall contribution to a team, 
     and becoming just the sixth player in the history of the game 
     to be a unanimous selection to the All-National Basketball 
     Association First Team;
       Whereas Shaquille O'Neal was named Most Valuable Player of 
     the 2000 All Star game, scoring 22 points and collecting 9 
     rebounds;
       Whereas Shaquille O'Neal dominated the 2000, playoffs 
     averaging 38 points per game and winning the Most Valuable 
     Player award in the National Basketball Association Finals;
       Whereas Kobe Bryant overcame injuries to average more than 
     22 points a game in the regular season and be named to the 
     National Basketball Association All-Defensive First Team;
       Whereas Kobe Bryant's 8-point performance in the overtime 
     of Game 4 led the Los Angeles Lakers to 1 of the most 
     dramatic wins in playoff history;
       Whereas Coach Phil Jackson, who has won 7 National 
     Basketball Association rings and the highest playoff winning 
     percentage in league history, has proven to be 1 of the most 
     innovative and adaptable coaches in the National Basketball 
     Association;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers epitomize Los Angeles pride 
     with their determination, heart, stamina, and amazing 
     comeback ability;
       Whereas the support of all the Los Angeles fans and the 
     people of California helped make winning the National 
     Basketball Association Championship possible; and
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers have started the 21st 
     century meeting the high standards they established in the 
     20th century: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States Senate congratulates the 
     Los Angeles Lakers on winning the 2000 National Basketball 
     Association Championship Title.

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to salute the new reigning 
champions of the National Basketball Association--California's own Los 
Angeles Lakers.
  The tradition of greatness continues in Los Angeles. Building on the 
excellence personified by the likes of Jerry and Wilt the Silt, and 
later by Magic and Kareem, today's Lakers regained that status by 
players known around the world by two words: ``Kobe'' and ``Shaq.''
  What can you say about Shaquille O'Neal? He is the most dominating 
force in the game today. He was the most valuable player in the All-
Star Game, the regular season and the NBA finals.
  Kobe Bryant has that creative, slashing style that is pure 
excitement. The way he fought through tough injuries to spark the 
Lakers was an inspiration.
  And Mr. President, I would like to acknowledge the rest of the Lakers 
team. The steady hand and championship experience of Ron Harper was 
crucial. Robert Harry's stifling defense, strong rebounding and 
opportunistic scoring were key. Rick Fox, whose ten years' experience 
and clutch three-pointer in the waning moments of Game Six were 
invaluable. The persistent of Glenn Rice was matched only by the beauty 
of his jump shot. A.C. Green, who came back to the Lakers for this 
championship season, reminded us of his original ``Showtime'' days when 
he was running the wing with Magic and Worthy. And Brian Shaw and Derek 
Fisher made big shots and took care of the ball during minutes off the 
bench. What a team!
  Finally, the man who brought all of these elements together, is 
simply the best of all time--the man they call Zen master, coach Phil 
Jackson.
  The Lakers victories were made more special by the determination of 
their opponents. Larry Bird and the Indiana Pacers deserve the respect 
of basketball fans everywhere.
  Mr. President, on behalf of millions of adoring Angelenos, California 
and basketball fans everywhere congratulations to the 2000 World 
Champion Los Angeles Lakers.

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