Congressional Record, Volume 149 Issue 91 (Thursday, June 19, 2003)

[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 91 (Thursday, June 19, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H5644-H5646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

CONGRATULATING THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS FOR WINNING THE 2003 NBA
CHAMPIONSHIP

Mr. CARTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee
on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the
resolution (H. Res. 279) congratulating the San Antonio Spurs for
winning the 2003 NBA championship, and ask for immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I would be
happy to yield to my colleague, the gentleman from San Antonio, Texas
(Mr. Smith), for an explanation of the resolution.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. GONZALEZ. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from San
Antonio for yielding to me.
Mr. Speaker, first of all I would like to read the resolution
congratulating the San Antonio spurs for winning the 2003 NBA
Championship.
Whereas, on June 15, 2003, the San Antonio Spurs won the National
Basketball Association's Championship best-of-seven series with an 88-
77 victory over the New Jersey Nets;
Whereas the Spurs' victory over the Nets is their second NBA
championship in 5 years;
Whereas this year's Spurs-Nets Finals is the first time two former
American Basketball Association teams have played for the NBA
Championship;
Whereas 7-foot center David Robinson joined the Spurs in 1987, and
Tim Duncan joined the team in 1997;
Whereas last night's match-up was the final game of David Robinson's
14-year career, and his 13 points, 17 rebounds, and two blocked shots
will be remembered as his best performance of the season;
Whereas Tim Duncan's triple-double, 21 points, 20 rebounds, and 10
assists, and his eight blocked shots will be remembered as one of the
greatest individual efforts in finals history;
Whereas Tim Duncan won the regular season Most Valuable Player award
for the second consecutive year, and he was named the Finals Most
Valuable Player following the Spurs victory;
Whereas spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was recognized as the NBA
Coach of the Year for the 2002-2003 season;
Resolved that the House of Representatives congratulates the San
Antonio Spurs and Coach of the Year Gregg Popovich for an unforgettable
season of basketball excellence and for winning the 2003 National
Basketball Association Championship.
Mr. Speaker, this year's NBA champions, the San Antonio Spurs, showed
America their determination and their character. They never gave in and
they never gave up, and that is why they are champions today.
Owner Peter Holt, Coach Gregg Popovich, and the Spurs' players
provided the City of San Antonio with an unforgettable season of
basketball excellence that will be remembered for years. They deserve
the thanks of our grateful city.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to say a few words about
Spurs Center David Robinson. It is fitting that he close his storybook
career as an NBA champion. Few players represent their teams and their
cities with such class and dignity. We all agree that David Robinson
achieved greatness on the basketball court, but what is less known to
the general public is that David Robinson is a man who cares deeply
about the City of San Antonio and the education of our children.
Through the David Robinson Foundation, he donated $9 million toward
the construction and operation of the Carver Academy, a school on the
east side of San Antonio that opened its doors in 2001. David Robinson
serves as the school's chairman. This donation is believed to be the
largest ever made by a professional athlete.
Named for George Washington Carver, the school serves elementary-aged
students from a culturally diverse community. The core curriculum
focuses on excellence in reading and language arts, social studies,
math, science, technology, fine arts, athletics, and foreign languages
including German, Japanese, and Spanish.
David's community involvement is extensive. At Spurs' home games he
reserves special seats for underprivileged families. He has contributed
to the homeless, children's charities, and hurricane victims. In 1991,
he promised 94 fifth graders at San Antonio's Gates Elementary School a
$2,000 college scholarship if they finished high school. Well, in 1998,
50 students graduated at the ceremony that was attended by Robinson
himself.
In 1992, Robinson and his wife Valerie started their foundation,
which supports programs that address the physical and spiritual needs
of the family. He said their goal is ``To build a foundation for future
generations. We want

[[Page H5645]]

to make these children the heroes of tomorrow by teaching them
principles of integrity, discipline and faith.''
Fittingly, David Robinson has been described as the Goliath of
Giving. Every community in America needs a David Robinson. San Antonio
has been blessed by his generosity, thoughtfulness and compassion.
Mr. Speaker, David Robinson's extraordinary ability will be missed on
the basketball court, but it is off the court where his work continues
to give others the opportunity to seek a better and brighter future.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gonzalez),
my colleague from San Antonio, for yielding to me.
Mr. CARTER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. GONZALEZ. I am happy to yield to the chairman for a few words
regarding this particular resolution and the Spurs.
Mr. CARTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me,
and I rise today in support of House Resolution 279 introduced by the
gentleman from my home State of Texas (Mr. Smith).
This resolution congratulates the San Antonio Spurs, again the
champions of the National Basketball Association. On Sunday night, the
Spurs defeated the New Jersey Nets 88 to 77 in game six of the NBA
Finals to win their second championship in the last 5 years. The city
of San Antonio and the entire State of Texas is celebrating the Spurs
great victory on the high stage of basketball.
Mr. Speaker, this San Antonio Spurs team is truly one for the ages.
Beyond being their second title in recent years, this is a team full of
superstars, both on and off the court. The Spurs feature the greatest
player in the NBA today, two-time reigning Most Valuable Player of the
league, Tim Duncan.
Duncan capped off his final performance on Sunday night with a near-
quadruple-double. He scored 21 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, handed out
10 assists, and blocked eight shots during one of his most outstanding
performances of the season.

{time} 1800

After the game on Sunday night, Duncan was deservedly awarded the
finals' Most Valuable Player trophy. After being the number one pick in
the NBA draft in 1997, Tim Duncan's first 6 years have been
extraordinary, and I commend his efforts.
The accolades extend to the Spurs' outstanding head coach, Gregg
Popovich, who earned this season's NBA Coach of the Year award. Coach
Popovich won his second well-deserved NBA title on Sunday, and I
congratulate him for this momentous accomplishment. I am concerned that
Coach Popovich may be underappreciated across the country, but I can
assure this House that the people of San Antonio and the fans of the
Spurs know that Gregg Popovich is a great coach.
The Spurs also feature such outstanding standouts as Tony Parker,
Stephen Jackson, Bruce Bowen, Manu Ginobili, veterans Kevin Willis and
Steve Kerr, among many other players. But I want to particularly
recognize another great Spurs player who has been one of the NBA's very
best ambassadors over the last decade. David Robinson played his last
game in the NBA on Sunday, finishing with 13 points and 17 rebounds.
This very strong effort completed a 14-year career, over which Mr.
Robinson averaged 21 points and nearly 11 rebounds per game.
Also a U.S. Naval officer and compassionate humanitarian, David
Robinson was named one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1996, as
well as the 1995 MVP, the 1992 Defensive Player of the Year, and the
1990 rookie of the year. I think it is important to note that David
Robinson earned his final honor after serving a 2-year Naval Academy
commitment, prior to which he was the first selection in the 1987 NBA
draft. I congratulate David Robinson for winning this year's NBA
championship, for going out on top, and for his remarkable career.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the San Antonio Spurs for winning the
2003 NBA championship. I urge passage of House Resolution 279, and I
thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding me this time.
Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. GONZALEZ. Further reserving the right to object, I yield to the
gentleman from Texas.
Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, what a privilege to stand in the United
States Capitol to honor the World Champion San Antonio Spurs. In life,
it is not just how you win, but it is how you play the game.
America has seen that the Spurs are a team of character. There are no
ball hogs, no billboard tattoos, no nose rings or show boats. It is a
team that works like a well-oiled machine. No longer can anyone in the
NBA say that nice guys finish last.
David Robinson is not just a basketball icon; he is known
internationally as a great community servant. It is appropriate that
the NBA renamed its community service award after David.
Tim Duncan, the Tower of Power. Those blocked shots in the final game
will always be remembered as part of an all-time great performance, and
the list goes on and on.
Tony Parker's trademark clutch tear-drop shots and the interviews he
would do with the French media speaking French gave a new twist to the
finals.
Bruce Bowen's defense and the 3-point bonanza in a critical game
against the Lakers is something we are still talking about.
Steve Jackson's three pointers, and Malik Rose's intensity and
willingness to bang hard under the basket at crucial times in the game,
Manu Ginobili's ability to defy gravity and make those clutch shots and
steal the ball at critical times. He became Charles Barkley's favorite
player, and Charles loved yelling his name out, Manu Ginobili, during
the beginning of the game and afterwards.
Then there is Steve Kerr. Boy, did he give the Spurs a boost with
those heart-stopping three-point shots in the fourth quarter just when
we needed them. This is Steve Kerr's sixth championship ring, and we
congratulate him.
The rest of the guys all played vital roles just when they were
needed, Speedy Claxton, Danny Ferry, Steve Smith, and Kevin Willis. And
Coach Gregg Popovich now has two NBA titles with the Spurs. A lot of
political bigshots could, frankly, take a lesson from Popovich. He
always believes in doing what is right, the media be damned.
Congratulations to the owners, Peter and Juliana Holt, two friends
and wonderful people who are so deserving. They also set an example for
patience and doing what is right for the Spurs, and they continue to
serve the community every day of their lives.
From all of us in the congressional delegation of San Antonio, thank
you for making us proud. And the best news is next year the Spurs are
expected to be even better.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. GONZALEZ. Further reserving the right to object, I yield to the
gentleman from Illinois.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I simply rise to say we are
always delighted and pleased to see Steve Kerr display the skill and
talent he learned in Chicago. But more importantly, I rise to
congratulate the city of San Antonio for being one of the most
beautiful cities in the country and also the great championship, the
skill displayed by the Spurs as they won the 2003 NBA championship.
But, Mr. Speaker, I was really touched hearing of the great
contributions of David Robinson, not just on the court but off the
court in the community, in the neighborhood, his willingness to give of
his resources and of himself, to display what it really means to be a
great American. And so I rise to really congratulate him.
Oftentimes we hear that athletes are not willing to give back, that
they get whatever it is that they get from being what they are and who
they are and do not necessarily give back to the rest of the world.
Well, I think that David Robinson is the epitome of a gentleman, a
great man; and I congratulate all of you for the fact that he is a
Texan and part of the San Antonio Spurs.
Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, it is a great honor to
join my colleagues. This is an occasion of bipartisan pride, and it is
a wonderful occasion; but the Spurs did not get there, and it was not
an easy road for them. I think Members know

[[Page H5646]]

those playoffs were tough, and I would like to acknowledge the
adversary and that is the New Jersey Nets, which put up a noble fight;
but the better team did win for many, many reasons. It was not just
athletic ability, though.
I think some of my colleagues have touched on what makes this team so
special. It is about character, and when we talk about individuals like
David Robinson, we understand what character is all about. It has been
pointed out this is a Naval Academy graduate who put in his military
obligation and finished that and then went on to his professional
basketball career.
We also speak about Tim Duncan, and we have forgotten a very
important chapter in Tim Duncan's life, and I think Members may have
heard this story before, but these are role models. These are the kinds
of models that we need to display and demonstrate to all of the youth
in this country.
Tim Duncan had an opportunity to leave Wake Forest early. He did not
have to get a degree, but his family instilled that kind of
appreciation. His mother wanted him to graduate. As a result of a
promise made to his mother, he remained at Wake Forest before he
pursued his professional basketball career; and it has been an
incredible time for not just Tim Duncan, but for all his fans.
This type of class, this type of character starts at the very top;
and I have to say that you start with the owner, Mr. and Mrs. Holt.
Next, look at the coach, Coach Popovich. Then look at the first string,
but also at the bench; and this is a lesson to all of us. We cannot all
be starters, but we can all make a contribution because this
championship belongs to that entire team. Also the staff that supports
the Spurs and the very special San Antonio fans second to none in the
United States.
It was a class act, and one of skill and challenge. If you have
character, I think you will always be a winner. In this instance they
do have the ring. They are going to have the trophy, but I think they
have something which is so much more important, and that is an
accomplishment which is earned through character, skill, dedication,
and commitment.
Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, as the mighty San Antonio Spurs entered
the arena on game six of the NBA National Championship you could tell
that it was going to be an amazing game. The crowd was on their feet
chanting Go Spurs Go, non-stop, it was energizing. Every player from
Tim Duncan to Kevin Willis had their game faces on. There was something
in their look as if they knew what was going to happen, as if they had
dreams of three point shots and death defying dunks the night before.
They had hoop dreams.
The New Jersey Nets put up a great fight, but the Spurs' dominance of
the fourth quarter seemed too much for even the Nets to overcome. After
a 19 point scoring run, from a combination of aerial and ground
attacks, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Nets 88-77.
Similar to the likes of Jordan/Pippen, Bird/McHale, Magic/Jabbar. Tim
Duncan and Dave ``the Admiral'' Robinson proved to be an unstoppable
force. With Duncan's field goals and amazing drives along with
Robinson's dominance on the paint they helped lead the Spurs to their
second championship season.
The 2003 NBA Finals MVP was Tim Duncan; he gave an amazing
performance, scoring 20 points and 20 rebounds, 10 assists and 8
blocked shots. Robinson scored 13 points and 17 rebounds in the final
game of his amazing Spurs career.
This propelled the Spurs to their second championship win in less
than 5 years.
It is my pleasure to congratulate the San Antonio Spurs on a great
season and a great championship. This is not only a great day for San
Antonio and San Antonians, but for all of Texas. Great job Spurs. Go
Spurs go.
Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Franks of Arizona). Is there objection
to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

H. Res. 279

Whereas, on June 15, 2003, the San Antonio Spurs won the
National Basketball Association's (NBA) Championship best-of-
seven series with an 88-77 victory over the New Jersey Nets;
Whereas the Spurs' victory over the Nets is their second
NBA championship in five years;
Whereas this year's Spurs-Nets Finals is the first time two
former American Basketball Association teams have played for
the NBA Championship;
Whereas seven foot center David Robinson joined the Spurs
in 1987, and Tim Duncan joined the team in 1997;
Whereas last night's match-up was the final game of David
Robinson's 14-year career, and his 13 points, 17 rebounds,
and two blocked shots will be remembered as his best
performance of the season;
Whereas Tim Duncan's triple-double, (21 points, 20
rebounds, and ten assists), and his eight blocked shots will
be remembered as one of the greatest individual efforts in
Finals' history;
Whereas Tim Duncan won the regular season Most Valuable
Player award for the second consecutive year, and he was
named the Finals Most Valuable Player following the Spurs
victory;
Whereas Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was awarded the Red
Auerbach Trophy as the NBA Coach of the Year for the 2002-03
season; and
Whereas Gregg Popovich is the first Spurs coach in
franchise history to win the Red Auerbach Trophy: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates
the San Antonio Spurs and Coach of the Year Gregg Popovich
for an unforgettable season of basketball excellence and for
winning the 2003 National Basketball Association
Championship.

The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________