[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 134 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      CONGRATULATING THE LA SPARKS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MAXINE WATERS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my hometown 
WNBA team, the Los Angeles Sparks. Today we passed H. Res. 532 which 
honors the Los Angeles Sparks players and staff for winning the WNBA 
championship and completing a remarkable season.
  On August 30th, they won the WNBA title for the second year in a row. 
The Sparks were competing against New York Liberty for this year's 
title. It was a competitive series and the decisive game went down to 
the last couple of seconds. With the game tied at 66, rookie Nikki 
Teasley got the ball and scored the winning basket--a three pointer, 
putting the team up for good and clinching the championship. Both teams 
played superbly. It was exciting, a great show of gamesmanship and the 
fans were treated to an exceptional game. Lisa Leslie was named the 
series Most Valuable Player. This is an honor she received last year, 
as well. She finished the game with seventeen points.
  With this championship, the LA Sparks join the Houston Comets as the 
only multiple titleholders in the league's six-year history. In 
addition, by winning every playoff game they played, they tied the 
Comets record of sweeping all six playoff games. The team's winning 
streak is nine if you count the last three games of the regular season.
  It was not an easy season, but the women worked hard, played hard and 
were rewarded for their efforts. That is something from which we can 
all learn. So as I close, I would like to congratulate the Sparks and 
thank them for being leaders. I hope they continue to set good examples 
for our city.

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