[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 138 (Thursday, October 2, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN HONOR OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DALLAS STARS

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                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 2003

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 10th 
Anniversary of the Dallas Stars first regular season NHL hockey game in 
Dallas. The Dallas Stars had a successful start to their career in Big 
D, as the Stars defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-4 at Reunion Arena on 
October 5, 1993.
  In the ten years since the Stars moved to Dallas from their previous 
home in Minnesota, The Stars have advanced to the playoffs eight years, 
with playoff berths in 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 
2003. The Stars won Lord Stanley's Cup in 1999 in a six-game series 
against the Buffalo Sabres. The championship Stars team was captained 
by defenseman Derian Hatcher, the very first American born Captain of a 
Stanley Cup championship team in the history of the NHL. The Stars then 
repeated as Western Conference Champions the following year.
  In addition to the exceptional record of the Dallas Stars over the 
past ten years, the moving of the Stars to Dallas has created a huge 
expansion of hockey throughout our schools and communities in North 
Texas. Before the Stars came to Dallas, it was almost unheard of for 
schools to have interscholastic hockey teams. The North Texas community 
has not only fully embraced the Stars, but has taken a heart to the 
sport of hockey. Without the Stars, none of this expansion of hockey 
throughout North Texas would have occurred in such a rapid fashion.
  Under the leadership of head coach Dave Tippett, general manager Doug 
Armstrong, and owner Thomas O. Hicks, the Dallas Stars are poised to 
start another great season. I wish the Dallas Stars all the best for 
their season opener against the Mighty Ducks on October 8th at the 
American Airlines Center in Dallas, and for the rest of the upcoming 
season. Congratulations to the Stars franchise on their 10th year 
anniversary of their move to the Lone Star State of Texas.

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