[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 78 (Thursday, June 13, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S5561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRATULATING THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed 
to the consideration of S. Res. 286 submitted earlier today by Senators 
Feinstein and Boxer.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 286) commending and congratulating 
     the Los Angeles Lakers for their outstanding drive, 
     discipline, and mastery in winning the 2002 National 
     Basketball Association Championship.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Madam President, I rise today with my friend and colleague from 
California, Senator Barbara Boxer, to commend and congratulate the Los 
Angeles Lakers for winning the 2002 National Basketball Association 
Championship last night.
  Clearly, the Lakers are one of the most distinguished franchises in 
the history of professional sports. In sweeping a talented and game New 
Jersey Nets team, the Lakers won their third straight championship and 
their fourteenth overall.
  Led by coach Phil Jackson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant, the 
Lakers could not be denied. Shaquille O'Neal dominated the Finals and 
won his third straight National Basketball Association Finals Most 
Valuable Player award after scoring a record 145 points in a four game 
series.
  Another superstar, Kobe Bryant, averaged 26.8 points, 5.3 assists, 
and 5.8 rebounds during the Finals series after being named to the 
2001-2002 All-National Basketball Association First Team. In addition, 
he delighted fans with his usual collection of highlight material 
plays.
  Coach Phil Jackson also had a record breaking night. He won his ninth 
National Basketball Association title, tying the record of the 
legendary Boston Celtics coach, Red Auerbach. In addition, he won his 
156th post-season game, surpassing former Lakers coach Pat Riley to 
become the winningest playoff coach in National Basketball Association 
history.
  But it should be pointed out that the Lakers could not have won the 
championship without the hard work and dedication of the entire team: 
Rick Fox, Derrick Fisher, Robert Horry, Brian Shaw, Devean George, 
Lindsey Hunter, Samaki Walker, Mark Madsen, Slava Medvedenko, and Mitch 
Richmond.
  I also want to congratulate team owner Dr. Jerry Buss, General 
Manager Mitch Kupchak and all the others who put in the time and effort 
to bring another championship to the City of Angels. And, most 
importantly, I would like to thank the Laker fans in Los Angeles and 
throughout the state for being there for the team every step of the 
way.
  The 2001-2002 Los Angeles Lakers have written another chapter in the 
history of one of the National Basketball Association's storied 
franchises and will certainly go down as one of the greatest teams of 
all time.
  They have made the City of Los Angeles and the State of California 
proud.
  The Los Angeles Lakers are a team with a tremendous amount of heart, 
stamina, determination and a clear will to win. I have no doubt that 
this team stands ready to make a run at a fourth straight championship 
and add yet another banner to the rafters of the Staples Center.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I was pulling for the Sacramento team. I 
have to say, as much as I dislike the Lakers, they sure came through in 
the clutch. They really know how to win. You have to admire them for 
that.
  I ask unanimous consent the resolution and preamble be agreed to en 
bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, and any statements 
relating thereto be printed in the Record, without further intervening 
action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 286) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 286

       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers are 1 of the greatest sports 
     franchises in history;
       Whereas the Laker organization has won 14 National 
     Basketball Association Championships;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers are only the fifth team to 
     win 3 consecutive National Basketball Association 
     Championships and the seventh team to sweep the finals 4 
     games to none;
       Whereas the Laker organization has fielded such legendary 
     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 won his third straight National 
     Basketball Association Finals Most Valuable Player award, 
     joining Michael Jordan as the only player to win 3 
     consecutive awards;
       Whereas Shaquille O'Neal scored a record 145 points in the 
     2002 4-game finals series;
       Whereas Shaquille O'Neal's 59.5 percent career field goal 
     percentage in National Basketball Association Finals games is 
     number 1 all-time and his 34.2 point scoring average ranks 
     second;
       Whereas Kobe Bryant was named to the 2001-2002 All-National 
     Basketball Association First Team after averaging 25.5 points 
     per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, and 5.5 assists per game 
     during the regular season;
       Whereas Kobe Bryant averaged 26.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 
     5.3 assists during the 2002 National Basketball Association 
     Finals;
       Whereas Coach Phil Jackson won his ninth National 
     Basketball Association title, tying the record of legendary 
     Boston Celtics coach, Red Auerbach;
       Whereas Coach Phil Jackson won his 156th postseason game, 
     surpassing former Lakers Coach Pat Riley to become the 
     winningest playoff coach in National Basketball Association 
     history;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers epitomize the spirit of 
     their hometown with their determination, heart, stamina, and 
     amazing comeback ability;
       Whereas the support of all the Los Angeles fans and the 
     people of California propelled the Los Angeles Lakers to 
     another National Basketball Association Championship; and
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers are poised to win a fourth 
     straight National Basketball Association Championship next 
     season: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate commends and congratulates the 
     Los Angeles Lakers on winning the 2002 National Basketball 
     Association Championship Title.

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