[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 83 (Wednesday, June 16, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 380--HONORING THE DETROIT PISTONS ON WINNING THE 
     NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP ON JUNE 15, 2004.

  Mr. LEVIN (for himself and Ms. Stabenow) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 380

       Whereas the Detroit Pistons finished second in the Central 
     Division of the Eastern Conference and won the National 
     Basketball Association (NBA) World Championship for the first 
     time since winning back to back Championships in 1989 and 
     1990;
       Whereas the Detroit Pistons is the first Eastern Conference 
     team to win the Championship since 1998;
       Whereas the Detroit Pistons by defeating the heavily-
     favored Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 1 showed grit, 
     determination, discipline, and unity, thereby securing their 
     third National Basketball Association World Championship;
       Whereas the Detroit Pistons completed an incredible season 
     with strong performances from many key players, including 
     Finals Most Valuable Player Chauncey Billups, two-time 
     Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace, a new head coach in 
     Larry Brown and savvy front office executives such as Joe 
     Dumars;
       Whereas Detroit Pistons owner Bill Davidson became the 
     first owner to win an NBA and WNBA championship, as well as 
     the Stanley Cup championship, in the span of 12 months;
       Whereas President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars built 
     a cohesive championship team through smart draft choices, key 
     free agent signings and bold trades, including the mid-season 
     acquisition of Rasheed Wallace, a vital part of the Pistons' 
     impenetrable frontline;
       Whereas Detroit Pistons Head Coach Larry Brown, the oldest 
     coach to win an NBA Championship, became the first coach to 
     win both an NBA and NCAA championship;
        Whereas each member of the Detroit Pistons roster, 
     including Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell, Tremaine Fowlkes, 
     Darvin Ham, Richard Hamilton, Lindsey Hunter, Mike James, 
     Darko Milicic, Mehmet Okur, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Wallace, 
     Rasheed Wallace, Corliss Williamson, made meaningful 
     contributions to the success of the basketball team and 
     proved once again that the whole can be greater than the sum 
     of its parts;
       Whereas Detroit Pistons fans made a meaningful contribution 
     to the success of their basketball team through their energy 
     and passion which was on display throughout the regular 
     season and playoffs at the Palace at Auburn Hills;
       Whereas the Detroit Pistons became the first team in NBA 
     Finals history to win games 3, 4, and 5 on their home court 
     since the NBA returned to its current format in 1985;
       Whereas in honor of the Detroit Pistons' championship, the 
     Palace of Auburn Hills is officially changing its address to 
     Four Championship Drive; and
       Whereas the Detroit Pistons have demonstrated great 
     strength, skill, and perseverance during the 2003-2004 season 
     and have made the entire State of Michigan proud: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Detroit Pistons on winning the 2004 
     National Basketball Association Championship and recognizes 
     all the players, coaches, support staff, and fans who were 
     instrumental in this achievement; and
       (2) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an 
     enrolled copy of this resolution to the Detroit Pistons for 
     appropriate display.
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SENATE RESOLUTION 381--RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
           CONTRIBUTIONS OF RAY CHARLES TO THE WORLD OF MUSIC

  Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself, Mr. Miller, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. 
Graham of Florida, and Mr. Levin) submitted the following resolution; 
which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 381

       Whereas Ray Charles, born Ray Charles Robinson on September 
     23, 1930, to Bailey and Aretha Robinson in Albany, Georgia, 
     was one of the greatest musical artists of the United States;
       Whereas Ray Charles, who as an infant moved with his family 
     to Greenville, Florida, and, after suffering an illness that 
     left him blind, attended the St. Augustine School for the 
     Deaf and Blind from 1937 to 1945, where he learned not only 
     how to read Braille, but how to write music and play the 
     piano, trumpet, clarinet, and alto saxophone;
       Whereas during the course of his 58-year career, Ray 
     Charles defied easy classification, as his music spanned all 
     genres, and many talented musicians from the world of rhythm 
     and blues, popular music, jazz, gospel, country, and rock and 
     roll have noted his strong influence on their careers;
       Whereas his talent has long been recognized by the 
     recording industry and his many fans, as he has received 12 
     Grammy Awards, with the first in 1960 and the most recent 
     award in 1993, and had 32 of his songs reach the national 
     Billboard's top 40 pop charts between 1957 and 1971;
       Whereas his influence and contributions to the world are 
     evidenced by the numerous honors he has received from 
     organizations, and institutions, including: the Blues 
     Foundation's Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 
     Songwriters Hall of Fame, Georgia Music Hall of Fame, Florida 
     Artists Hall of Fame, a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of 
     the Black Achievement Awards television show sponsored by 
     Johnson Publishing Company, a star on the Hollywood Walk of 
     Fame, the Helen Keller Personal Achievement Award from the 
     American Foundation for the Blind, and an honorary doctorate 
     of fine arts from the University of South Florida in Tampa;
       Whereas Ray Charles has received praise from Republican and 
     Democratic Administrations with the adoption of ``Georgia on 
     My Mind'' as the Georgia State song in 1979, an invitation in 
     1984 to perform at the Republican National Convention and 
     President Reagan's inaugural ball in 1985, recognition in 
     1986 as a legend by the Kennedy Center Honors, and the 
     presentation of a National Medal of Arts by President Clinton 
     in 1993;
       Whereas Ray Charles was a great humanitarian and activist 
     who provided financial support to Dr. Martin Luther King, 
     Jr., during the civil rights struggle, and joined with other 
     recording artists to record ``We Are the World'', a project 
     that brought world awareness and financial assistance to the 
     millions dying from starvation in Africa;
       Whereas during the course of his life he persevered, 
     overcoming the tremendous obstacles that he encountered in 
     the early stages of his career due to racism and prejudice 
     because of his blindness, to become one of the greatest and 
     defining musical talents of all time; and
       Whereas this great American, Ray Charles, died on June 10, 
     2004: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes Ray Charles as one of the greatest American 
     musicians of all time;
       (2) honors Ray Charles for his contributions to music, 
     culture, community, and the United States;
       (3) offers its appreciation to Ray Charles for sharing his 
     musical gifts with the world; and
       (4) extends its deepest sympathy to the family and the 
     loved ones of Ray Charles.

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