[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 23, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        RECOGNIZING DEVIN HARRIS

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                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 23, 2004

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Devin Harris of 
the University of Wisconsin men's basketball team, who was recently 
named the 2004 Big Ten Conference player of the year. Devin is only the 
fifth Badger player in history and the first since 1950 to receive the 
honor. He led his team to a twenty-four and six record entering the 
NCAA tournament and a second-place finish in the Big Ten while scoring 
over twenty points a game. He was also among the Big Ten leaders in 
assists, steals, assist-to-turnover ratio, and three-point field goal 
percentage. In addition to being the player of the year, Devin was the 
only unanimous first team all-conference selection, and was also named 
the Most Outstanding Player of the Big Ten Tournament after leading the 
Badgers to the tournament championship, the first in school history.
  Beyond statistics and awards, Devin has continually amazed the Badger 
faithful with his effervescent style of play and penchant for playing 
even better when it mattered most. His silky smooth ballhandling and 
signature step-back jump shot contribute to his astounding ability to 
break down a half-court defense and find a way to score, while his 
speed and leaping ability have led to some spectacular dunks in 
transition. His versatile game makes it difficult for one defender to 
stay with him, which opens up opportunities for his teammates, and he 
consistently gets them the ball when those opportunities arise. 
Everyone plays better when Devin is on the court, and that is what 
makes him a truly special player.
  If Badger fans needed any other reason to love Devin, he is also a 
homegrown talent, coming to UW from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where he was 
the state high school player of the year at East High. Even with that, 
however, it would have been difficult for anyone to predict that he 
would develop into the player that he has. This past fall, when the Big 
Ten coaches named him the pre-season conference player of the year, 
Devin was as surprised as anyone. But there is no surprise left in 
awards for Devin Harris. No one who saw him play this year could doubt 
that he deserves this honor, and our recognition.

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