[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S7059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         COMMENDING NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 383 introduced 
earlier today by Senators Nelson of Florida and Graham of Florida.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 383) commending the National Hockey 
     League Tampa Bay Lightning for winning the 2004 Stanley Cup 
     Championship.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Madam President, Senator Graham of Florida and 
myself congratulate the Tampa Bay Lightning for winning the 2004 
National Hockey League Stanley Cup Championship.
  In only its 12th year as a team, the Tampa Bay Lightning has reached 
the pinnacle of hockey for the first time in its existence. The past 12 
years have been rather difficult for the team and it has undergone 
turbulent changes. In the history of the Lightning, not only have there 
been three ownership groups, but there have also been five coaches and 
four general managers. To top it all off, just 3 years ago the team 
finished last in the league.
  However, due to their determination, resilience, and tenacity the 
Lightning has accomplished what National Hockey League teams all over 
the country strive to achieve. While all National Hockey League teams 
start the season with the Lord Stanley's Cup in mind, only one gets the 
privilege of gaining such an honor.
  As hockey fans looked at this year's National Hockey League Season, 
it was obvious that the Lightning was the underdog and few people 
considered the team a contender because of the numerous changes and 
setbacks. However, the Lightning believed in itself and was full of 
determination. A wise person once said: Anything the mind can perceive, 
and the heart can believe, one can achieve. The Lightning has taken 
this to heart, and it makes me proud to say that Lightning has struck 
in the Tampa Bay Area.
  Under the leadership of head coach John Tortorella, who has just 
become only the third American-born coach to ever win the Stanley Cup, 
the Lightning deserves to be commended. Throughout the season, all of 
the players, coaches, managers, and fans have taught the Nation a 
valuable lesson, in any equation for success, there are three factors: 
determination, drive, and tenacity. I offer congratulations to all 
members of the Tampa Bay Lightning, their families, and their fans 
throughout the State of Florida.
  Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and 
preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid upon 
the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any 
statements related to the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 383) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 383

       Whereas on Monday, June 7, 2004, the National Hockey League 
     Tampa Bay Lightning team won the Stanley Cup, becoming the 
     second team in 30 years to overcome a 3-2 deficit in the 
     National Hockey League finals to win Lord Stanley's Cup;
       Whereas the Tampa Bay Lightning entered the Eastern 
     Conference of the National Hockey League in 1992;
       Whereas the Tampa Bay Lightning is the 86th National Hockey 
     League team to win the Stanley Cup;
       Whereas coach John Tortorella has become the third 
     American-born coach to win the Stanley Cup;
       Whereas left wing Dave Andreychuk has played for and won 
     his first career Stanley Cup during a 22-year career after 
     playing a record 1,758 games and 162 playoff games;
       Whereas center Brad Richards was awarded the Conn Smythe 
     2004 National Hockey League Playoff MVP Trophy for finishing 
     the playoffs with 12 goals, including a National Hockey 
     League record of 7 game-winners, and 14 assists in 23 games;
       Whereas Brad Richards led the league in playoff scoring 
     with 26 points and scored 2 power-play goals in Game 6 of the 
     finals, making Game 7 necessary;
       Whereas left wing Fredrik Modin served to assist in 1 of 
     Brad Richards's 2 goals in Game 6;
       Whereas left wing Ruslan Fedotenko suffered a head injury 
     in Game 3, missed Game 4, returned for Game 5, and scored 2 
     goals in Game 7, including the game-winning goal;
       Whereas right wing Martin St. Louis, winner of the Art Ross 
     Trophy, awarded to the player who leads the National Hockey 
     League in scoring points at the end of the regular season, 
     has made significant contributions to the team;
       Whereas goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, a 2-time National Hockey 
     League All-Star, has earned the nickname ``The Bulrn Wall'' 
     because of his blockage of countless shots; and
       Whereas the Tampa Bay Lightning, in its 12-year history, 
     has overcome great odds, including 3 ownership groups, 5 
     coaches, 4 general managers, and being last in the league 
     just 3 years ago: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the Tampa Bay Lightning National Hockey League 
     team for winning the 2004 Stanley Cup;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of all the players, 
     coaches, and support staff who were instrumental in assisting 
     the team to win the Stanley Cup and invites them to the 
     United States Capitol Building to be honored; and
       (3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit 1 
     enrolled copy of this resolution to the owner, and 1 enrolled 
     copy of this resolution to the coach, of the 2004 National 
     Hockey League champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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