[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 9, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H887-H888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING DETROIT SHOCK FOR WINNING 2003 WOMEN'S NATIONAL
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 392) congratulating the Detroit Shock
for winning the 2003 Women's National Basketball Association
championship.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 392
Whereas on September 16, 2003, the Detroit Shock won the
2003 Women's National Basketball Association championship,
defeating the 2-time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks;
Whereas the Shock finished at the top of the Eastern
Conference with an outstanding 25-win season;
Whereas the Shock defeated the Cleveland Rockers 2 games to
1 in the first round of the playoffs;
Whereas the Shock defeated the Connecticut Sun 2 games to
none in the Eastern Conference finals;
Whereas in the finals against the Sparks the Shock won 2
straight games after losing the opening game;
Whereas Ruth Riley scored a career-high 27 points in the
final game;
Whereas in the final game Deanna Nolan nailed a 3-pointer
with 53 seconds remaining, and made 4 out of 4 free throws
down the stretch;
Whereas 22,076 attended the final game, setting a new
attendance record for the WNBA;
Whereas the Shock made an unprecedented turnaround in the
2003 season under the leadership of their coach, the former
Detroit Piston and NBA champion Bill Laimbeer, who was named
2003 WNBA Coach of the Year;
Whereas Coach Laimbeer and his staff of Laurie Byrd, Pamela
McGee, and Korie Hlede provided strong leadership and solid
coaching, resulting in a basketball team which has been
undeniably dominant in regular and postseason play;
Whereas many other individuals have contributed to the
Shock's success, including athletic trainer Laura Ramus;
Whereas the Shock's success resulted from contributions
from the entire roster of players, including Swin Cash,
Allison Curtin, Barbara Farris, Cheryl Ford, Kedra Holland-
Corn, Sheila Lambert, Astou Ndiaye-Diatta, Deanna Nolan,
Elaine Powell, Ruth Riley, Stacey Thomas, Petra Ujhelyi, and
Ayana Walker;
Whereas 3 Shock players, Cheryl Ford, Swin Cash, and Deanna
Nolan, were named to the all-WNBA second team;
Whereas Cheryl Ford was named 2003 WNBA rookie of the year,
receiving 49 out of 54 possible votes;
Whereas Ruth Riley was named Most Valuable Player of the
2003 WNBA Finals MVP;
Whereas the WNBA and the Shock exemplify the highest
standards of sportsmanship and success, and help to encourage
the participation of women in professional sports; and
Whereas the Shock have displayed great strength, ability,
and perseverance this season, which are all reflective of the
hardworking people of the metropolitan Detroit region and the
great State of Michigan: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates the Detroit Shock for winning the 2003
Women's National Basketball championship and for their
outstanding performance during the entire 2003 season, and
congratulates all of the 8 WNBA teams who played in the
postseason;
(2) salutes the achievements of all of the players,
coaches, and staff of the Shock, who worked hard and who were
instrumental in bringing the City of Detroit its first WNBA
championship;
(3) commends the Los Angeles Sparks for a valiant
performance during the playoff finals and for displaying
their strength and skill as a team; and
(4) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to
transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the Shock
players, Head Coach Bill Laimbeer, and President and team
owner William Davidson.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Michigan (Mrs. Miller) and the gentlewoman from the District of
Columbia (Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).
General Leave
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and
extend their remarks on H. Res. 392, the resolution under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as
I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 392 congratulates the Detroit Shock for winning
the 2003 Women's National Basketball Association championship; and
first of all, I would like to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Conyers) for introducing this resolution, and I also want to thank all
of my fellow colleagues from the Michigan delegation who have joined me
in cosponsoring H. Res. 392.
Mr. Speaker, on September 16, 2003, the Detroit Shock defeated the 2-
time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks to win their first WNBA
championship. The Shock team is comprised of a wonderful group of women
who continue the strong tradition of professional basketball in
Michigan. In fact, the Shock are coached by one of the leaders of the
2-time NBA champion Detroit Pistons, the ultimate bad boy, the baddest
of the bad boys, Bill Laimbeer.
{time} 1500
Under the leadership of Coach Bill Laimbeer and of his staff of
Laurie Byrd, Pamela McGee, and Korie Hlede, the Detroit Shocks made an
unbelievable turnaround during the 2003 season to become champions. The
team won 25 games last summer, after winning only nine games the year
previously.
In an era where some athletes are embroiled in steroid scandals,
salary contract negotiations, and legal battles, the women of the
Detroit Shocks, and I think the entire WNBA serve as a valuable role
model to millions of young girls. I applaud every member of the Shock
roster for their dedication and for their hard work, and I thank them
for their commitment to our community. Even though they are champions
on the court, each member of the team is a champion in her own right
off the court as well.
Mr. Speaker, the Detroit Shocks have made the metropolitan Detroit
area and the great State of Michigan proud. In fact, 22,076 fans
attended the final game of the season, which was a new attendance
record for the WNBA. Three of their players, Cheryl Ford, Swin Cash,
and Deanna Nolan were named to the all-WNBA second team; and Ruth Riley
2003 WNBA finals MVP. But unlike many professional teams in sports
today, there are no individuals on this team. They are simply the
Detroit Shocks, and they are champions.
Mr. Speaker, I support House Resolution 392.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
The Detroit Shocks proved they were the best team in the league last
September when they came from behind and knocked out the two-time
defending champions the Los Angeles Sparks before the league's largest
crowd in history, with a score of 83 to 78.
The Shocks started the game with a 14-point lead, but the Sparks kept
coming back. With less than a minute left in the game, Deanna Nolan
nailed a three-pointer from the corner and gave the Shocks a 75-73
lead. Then Cheryl Ford hit three free throws and it was a four-point
lead with 43 seconds left.
[[Page H888]]
Just when you thought the Shocks had it all wrapped up, the Sparks
made a comeback, twice. But the Shocks pulled out a win, and a
franchise that was down and out a year before was accepting the Women's
National Basketball Association championship.
Head Coach Bill Laimbeer and his staff of Laurie Byrd, Pamela McGee,
and Korie Hlede provided strong leadership and solid coaching. This has
resulted in a basketball team that is hard working and dominates on the
basketball court.
The Women's National Basketball Association and the Detroit Shocks
exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship and success, and as
such, have encouraged girls and women across the country to participate
in professional sports. I congratulate them on a well-deserved win and
urge the passage of this resolution.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the women of the
Detroit Shock Women's National Basketball Association team. On
September 16, 2003, the ladies of the Detroit Shock made history with
their first ever Women's National Basketball Association championship,
defeating the 2-time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks. Through the
leadership of Rookie of the Year Cheryl Ford, Playoff MVP Ruth Riley,
and Coach Bill Laimbeer, the Shocks displayed strength, resolve and the
highest standard of sportsmanship.
It is fitting that H. Res. 392 will be passed today, just one day
after International Women's Day and during National Women's Month. This
month we are celebrating the great strides women have made in society,
and must recognize and highlight the advancements women have made in
professional sports. Since the passage of Title IX, which mandates
gender equity in school sports, we have seen women's athletics flourish
as a tool for empowering young girls. College basketball programs
across the country have produced some of the most dynamic athletes of
our time--including Cheryl Ford and Ruth Riley of the Shock, as well as
Diana Taurasi of the University of Connecticut. These young women are
clear examples to the younger generation of girls that the pursuit of
athletic excellence can produce the highest rewards for women and men
alike.
The Detroit Shock team has made metropolitan Detroit and greater
Michigan proud by displaying the trademark Michigan values of hard
work, dedication, and perseverance. We honor these women for their
strength and resolve, and for being leaders of the next generation of
women in sports. We look forward to another win this year!
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I urge
all Members to support the adoption of H. Res. 392, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 392.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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