[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 86 (Monday, June 21, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H4607-H4610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING DETROIT PISTONS ON WINNING THE 2004 NATIONAL BASKETBALL
ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 679) congratulating the Detroit
Pistons on winning the 2004 National Basketball Association
championship.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 679
Whereas on June 15, 2004, the Detroit Pistons defeated the
Los Angeles Lakers to win the 2004 National Basketball
Association (NBA) Championship;
Whereas the Pistons defeated the Milwaukee Bucks four games
to one in the first round of the playoffs;
Whereas the Pistons defeated the defending Eastern
Conference Champion New Jersey Nets four games to three in
the hard fought Eastern Conference Semifinals;
Whereas the Pistons defeated the Indiana Pacers, the number
one seeded team in the Eastern Conference, four games to two
in the Eastern Conference Finals;
Whereas the Pistons defeated the Lakers four games to one
in the NBA Finals, winning their first NBA Championship since
1990 and becoming the first Eastern Conference team to win
the championship since 1998;
Whereas the gritty offense of the Pistons was lead by
Richard Hamilton, who averaged more than 21.5 points and 4.2
per assists per game throughout the NBA playoffs;
Whereas Rasheed Wallace overcame a foot injury to provide
26 points and 13 rebounds in the crucial game four victory;
Whereas Ben Wallace, a two-time NBA defensive player of the
year and three-time member of the NBA All-Defensive First
Team, brought the working-class mind-set to the Pistons and
symbolizes the Pistons stifling defense;
Whereas Tayshaun Prince played tenacious defense and
prevented Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant from being an
effective scorer against the Pistons;
Whereas Chauncey Billups was voted the Most Valuable Player
of the Finals for his outstanding performance throughout the
NBA playoffs, averaging 21 points and 5.2 assists while only
committing 2.6 turnovers per game;
Whereas Head Coach Larry Brown did an outstanding job
preparing the Pistons for victory over an exceptional Lakers
team and became the first head coach to win both the NBA and
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball
Championships;
Whereas former Piston and current President of Basketball
Operations Joe Dumars, Coach Brown, and assistant coaches
John Kuester, Mike Woodson, Dave Hanners, Herb Brown, and
Igor Stefan Kokoskov have provided strong leadership and
solid coaching, resulting in a basketball team in which
teamwork and hard work are the rule and not the exception;
[[Page H4608]]
Whereas Pistons fans have shown undying support for their
team, leading the league in attendance in a year where
attendance records were broken throughout the NBA;
Whereas the Pistons exemplify what can be achieved by a
talented group of players working together for a common goal;
Whereas the Pistons have shown that basketball remains a
team sport and have reminded fans that the game is still a
team game with fundamentals at its heart and soul;
Whereas sportswriter Eric Neel wrote of the Pistons, ``Once
upon a time, there was a shared ball on offense and a shared
responsibility on defense. In their Game 5 victory, as in the
previous four games, it was that time all over again. We've
got retro jerseys and throwback sneaks, now we've got a world
champion from back in the day, to go with them.'';
Whereas the success of the Pistons is a result of
contributions from the entire roster of players, including
Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell, Darvin Ham, Richard
Hamilton, Lindsey Hunter, Mike James, Darko Milicic, Mehmet
Okur, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, and
Corliss Williamson; and
Whereas the Pistons displayed tremendous strength, ability,
and perseverance during the 2003-2004 season, attributes that
are reflective of the hardworking people of the metropolitan
Detroit region and the State of Michigan, and have epitomized
the team slogan ``Goin' to work. Every night.'': Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates the Detroit Pistons for winning the 2004
National Basketball Association (NBA) Championship and for
their outstanding performance during the entire 2003-2004
season; and
(2) recognizes the achievements of all the players,
coaches, and staff of the Pistons, who were instrumental in
helping the Pistons win a third NBA Championship.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Michigan (Mrs. Miller) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) 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 and include extraneous material on 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 such time as I
may consume.
June 15, 2004, is a date to be remembered throughout the metropolitan
Detroit area and the entire great State of Michigan. On this Tuesday
night, the underdog Detroit Pistons ended a phenomenal season by
defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 100-87 to win the 2004 NBA
championship four games to one.
Heading into the series, the Lakers were the overwhelming favorites
to defeat the Pistons, but the Pistons possessed one defining
characteristic which did not show up on paper: they were a group of
dedicated teammates working toward a common goal.
{time} 1515
This team, under the great leadership of Coach Larry Brown, showed
unprecedented teamwork and desire. And it was a beautiful thing to
watch.
The Pistons are really fitting representatives for the people of
Southeast Michigan. They might not be media superstars. They might not
have the Hollywood elite watching them from their courtside, but they
have a blue-collar work ethic and they thrive on great teamwork. And
when everything is working against them and their backs are up against
the wall, they rise to the occasion. The Pistons proved that strong
defense and selfless play can deliver overwhelming victory.
Mr. Speaker, the ``Bad Boys'' of Detroit are back; and the people of
Michigan are proud to call this team our own. The Pistons motto is
``Going to work.'' Their spirit and their desire is a reflection of
Michigan. This attitude is not pretty. It is not flashy. It is gritty.
It leads to scraped elbows, bloody noses. But most importantly, it
conceives a desire to get the job done.
Team president Joe Dumars, a great champion as a Pistons player
himself, took control of the team when a championship was really only a
dream. He brought in players who display the same work ethic as he was
known for as a player. He hired coaches who understand the role of
individuals within a team and who could get these players to perform to
their full potential, and despite the critics, the results speak for
themselves. Well done Joey D.
Mr. Speaker, prior to the championship series, people around the
Nation were not giving the Detroit Pistons a chance. But as the series
progressed, it became apparent who was the best team in the NBA.
Finals MVP Chauncey Billups was scoring and passing with the heart of
a champion. Rip Hamilton ran circles around defenders. Ben Wallace
defended and rebounded like a man possessed. Fear the 'fro, NBA.
Rasheed Wallace provided veteran leadership and intimidation like no
one else. Tayshaun Prince scored and defended with an elegance that
seemed effortless.
And when the Detroit bench was called to duty, the players answered
the call. Each and every player knew that as a team, they would be
successful, they knew that the work would not be done until the final
buzzer.
Mr. Speaker, the entire team showed what teamwork and hard work can
do, and Larry Brown was the perfect coach. No coach in sports is more
respected than Larry Brown, and I can speak for all Pistons fans in
hoping that he will call himself a Detroit Piston for many years to
come.
And, finally, Mr. Speaker, we cannot honor the Pistons without
mentioning their owner, Bill Davidson. He is a great man who is
renowned for his generosity in his charitable works, not just in
Michigan or in Southeast Michigan, but throughout our entire Nation
and, in fact, the world. His players are a reflection of him, hard
working, selfless, and they care about their communities. I
congratulate and thank Mr. Davidson.
So, Mr. Speaker, the House solutes the Detroit Pistons for winning
the 2004 NBA championship, and after the fireworks have gone off and
the parades are over, one team stands above all the rest, the Detroit
Pistons.
I encourage all Members to agree to House Resolution 679.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take the time today to congratulate the
Detroit Pistons on their inspiring run through the NBA season and
playoffs and on their first NBA as championship since 1990.
Behind the leadership of the legendary Head Coach Larry Brown, the
Pistons displayed a sense of purpose and energy often missing in the
NBA game today.
On the court a trio of stars and an excellent supporting cast led the
team brilliantly. Despite suffering a broken bone in his face, Richard
Hamilton led the Pistons offensively all season and played his best
basketball of the season in the playoffs, when he averaged 21.5 points
per game.
The Pistons' vaunted defense was led all season by two-time NBA
defensive player of the year, winner Ben Wallace, who brought a no-
nonsense style to the Pistons.
Though one of the league's best teams last year, team finally came
into championship form in mid-season this year when a trade brought
forward Rasheed Wallace to the team. Mr. Wallace's veteran experience
was the final piece needed as the Pistons stormed through the regular
season and the playoffs.
In the finals, the Pistons were regarded as the heavy underdog to the
Los Angeles Lakers. However, once again, the Pistons bucked these
seemingly insurmountable odds and won the championship series in games.
This was basketball at its best.
In closing, I join my colleague. I too want to congratulate the
Pistons for their spectacular season, and I look forward to watching
them bring the same sort of excitement to basketball again next year.
It was basketball, good basketball, wonderful basketball.
I have a lot of relatives living in Detroit, and they were rooting
for the Pistons, and I was rooting with them for the Pistons. Go
Pistons, go.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Unfortunately, I missed the last game because we were here voting,
but
[[Page H4609]]
I was at game 4, where I had my thundersticks. Go Pistons.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to
congratulate the Detroit Pistons on winning this year's National
Basketball Association championship. It has been 14 long years since
the Pistons last brought the Larry O'Brien championship trophy home,
but their hard won victory of defeating the Lakers is the epitome of
the teamwork at its absolute best. If ever a championship fits the
personality of a community, this one does.
The Pistons entered this year's NBA tournament as the definitive dark
horse. While Detroit's stifling defensive was universally acknowledged,
few outside of the Detroit Metro area and the Piston fan diaspora
thought the Pistons' gritty offense and stifling defense could beat the
defending Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Nets. However, the
Pistons, like they did all year, proved their critics wrong.
Demonstrating the strength and determination that would become their
hallmark in the series against the Lakers, the Pistons came back to win
the series against the Nets after a triple overtime loss in Game 5 as
well as a heart breaking loss to the Lakers in game 2 of the Finals.
Indeed, the Pistons' ability to rebound after stunning losses have
gained the admiration of America.
This team was about true sportsmanship and selflessness. Every Piston
could vie for the Most Valuable Player award because each of them
played with remarkable fortitude and consistence. Whether Detroit won
because of the stepped up play of Richard ``Rip'' Hamilton (averaging
over 21.5 points and 4.2 assists per game throughout the post-season),
Ben Wallace's season-long hard nosed defensive leadership (averaging a
double-double in points scored, with 10.3 per game, and rebounds, with
14.3 per game), Chauncey Billups's post-season play against the Lakers
(averaging 21 points and 5.2 assists for the Pistons despite being
guarded by two future Hall of Famers, Gary Payton and Kobe Bryant), or
the tremendous Pistons bench. They are a true model of what can be
achieved with team work: success.
I am particularly excited that the city of Detroit won this
championship at this time. Mr. Speaker, during the past few years the
Metro Detroit area has lost tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs,
some of which will never come back to this great city. The Detroit
Pistons winning this championship has brought back hope and a sense of
optimism that Detroit desperately needs. Specifically, the team's
motto, ``Goin' to work. Every night,'' exemplifies the strength and
tenacity both of the Pistons and of the great citizens of Detroit.
The moral of this championship is that you never know what you can
achieve until you try. Go Pistons.
Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Detroit
Pistons. Tuesday night, playing at the Palace of Auburn Hills in my
district, the Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers to win the 2004
NBA championship.
From top to bottom, the Pistons were a model of teamwork and
dedication. Owner Bill Davidson provided the foundation for the
Pistons' championship and has been a positive member of the Detroit and
southeast Michigan community for years. President of Basketball
Operations Joe Dumars built this team and coach Larry Brown molded the
Piston players into a cohesive, team-first group.
This has been a very exciting season for the people of Michigan. They
have embraced the Pistons, as millions outside of Michigan have. Fans
identified with this team. The Pistons represented core American values
of hard work, persevering through difficult times, and sharing both
success and failures with family and loved ones.
I want to thank the Pistons and everyone in their organization for
giving us from Michigan a team to be proud of.
Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I am very glad to join my Michigan
colleagues in congratulating the Detroit Pistons on winning the 2004
National Basketball Association (NBA) Championship. This is truly a
remarkable achievement and the entire city of Detroit and the State of
Michigan are very proud. I have had the pleasure of representing the
city of Auburn Hills, location of The Palace, home of the Detroit
Pistons. I have also been lucky enough to see firsthand the Detroit
Pistons in action there.
On June 15, 2004, the Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers to win
the title. This amazing accomplishment came from a great team comprised
of players Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell, Darvin Ham, Richard
Hamilton, Lindsey Hunter, Mike James, Darko Milicic, Mehmet Okur,
Tayshaun Prince, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, and Corliss Williamson.
I am especially proud of Pistons Forward Darvin Ham who is a Saginaw,
Michigan native. His mother is Wilmer Jones-Ham, the mayor of Saginaw.
Darvin played high school basketball at and graduated from Saginaw High
School. He went on to play college basketball at Texas Tech University
where he helped lead the Red Raiders to a 1996 NCAA Sweet 16
appearance. Darvin played an integral role with the team and is highly
deserving of the championship ring he will now wear.
Darvin and the rest of the Pistons who many had said could not
compete with the Lakers are truly representative of Saginaw and the
entire State of Michigan. Their hard work and never-say-die attitude
will hopefully bring them more championships in the very near future.
Once again, I congratulate the Detroit Pistons for winning the 2004 NBA
Championship.
[From the Saginaw (MI) News, June 16, 2004]
``Mama Ham'' Cheers Darvin
(By Greg Mancina)
``Mama Ham'' was doing a jig early this morning while
waiting for her World Champion son, Darvin, to come back out
of the Detroit Pistons locker room in The Palace of Auburn
Hills.
``I'm trying to keep my composure, but it's hard,''
admitted Wilmer Jones Ham, called ``Mama Ham'' by the Pistons
players.
``The winning spirit of victory is in the air.''
That winning spirit came from a 100-87 shellacking of
Shaquille O'Neal's Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday that gave the
Pistons their third NBA title and Darvin Ham his first
championship ring after what many national pundits are
calling the biggest upset in NBA Finals history.
The Pistons were low-down underdogs to the powerful L.A.
Lakers, and its star-studded roster, bench and crowd. But
something happened on the way to their coronation--a better
team showed up, one that included Saginaw's Darvin Ham.
``I'm just trying to soak it all in,'' said Ham, who
finally emerged from the locker room and popped into the
team's post-game dinner in an upstairs dining room at the
Palace at about 2:30 a.m. ``We did it, baby!''
And Darvin Ham knew it all along.
``I knew back in February we had a championship quality
ballclub,'' he said.
Now the rest of the world knows it, too.
``Don't nobody play D like this, never, ever, not for the
long periods of time that we keep our defensive pressure
consistent at that high of a level,'' Ham explained. ``It is
nothing like anything that's come along in the NBA.''
``Larry Brown preached defense, rebound, share the ball,
defense, rebound, share the ball, defense, rebound, share the
ball, and it rings true. That's why he won a championship in
college and in the NBA.
``It's not rocket science, it's a simple formula, but I
wish I could bottle it up and create a championship wine
cellar so I can pop it open whenever I want.''
Adding to Ham's championship experience was sharing it with
his family, his mother, and the more than 250 extended family
members who somehow found a way into the Palace for Game 5.
``God allowed me to give birth to a World Championship
basketball player,'' Wilmer Jones Ham said. ``Isn't that
something?''
Wilmer Jones Ham, the mayor of Saginaw who Darvin says
``has a bigger name than I do,'' attended her first
basketball game in its entirety since a fainting spell during
a City Council meeting last month.
The mayor went to Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, but
could only stay until halftime ``by doctor's orders.''
But Tuesday was different. Tuesday was close-out day
for the Pistons and there was no way Ham was going to miss
what turned into the title-clinching victory.
``Guess what? I stayed the whole time and I'm wringing with
sweat,'' Wilmer Jones Ham said. ``My heart has been beating,
it's never stopped fluttering.''
``I would sit down and put a cold rag to my head, saying to
myself `exhale, inhale, exhale, inhale.' ''
The mayor sat in the first row along the baseline by a
basket and near enough to the Pistons' bench that they kept
asking ``You alright Mama Ham? You alright?''
``She got to see the important (game),'' Darvin Ham said.
``It's been incredible.''
The family atmosphere also permeates the team, said Darvin
Ham, who said that in all of his NBA stops he's never
experienced anything like the camaraderie he's had with this
team.
``Joe Dumars created an environment where it's easy to come
to work, and you look forward to seeing your teammates,''
Darvin Ham said.
And right on cue, the Palace turned into a hug-fest after
the victory.
``Everybody is holding onto Darvin, hugging him,'' Wilmer
Jones Ham said.
``This just shows you that hard work pays off,'' she
explained. ``They can be an example for all young people--you
don't give up, you don't throw in the towel.''
Darvin Ham is practically the poster child of not throwing
in the towel.
A reserve player on his Saginaw High School basketball
team, Ham worked through junior college to latch onto a
scholarship at Texas Tech.
Then he turned his reputation as a defender and ``banger''
into a profession, first playing in one of basketball's minor
leagues before signing an NBA free agent contract with the
Denver Nuggets.
He played for five more teams before finally landing in
Detroit in September of last year.
Darvin Ham came to the Pistons as a defensive specialist
and used his work ethic
[[Page H4610]]
and infectious personality to catch the attention of coach
Larry Brown, who also gave Mama Ham a hug after the final
horn.
Ham earned extended playing time in early-season games, and
two starting assignments, based on his work ethic and defense
in practice, an attitude Brown was trying to instill in the
rest of his team.
``I earned my minutes and recognition through the practice
floor,'' he said.
``Darv is such a good-hearted person and they told me he is
the joy of the team,'' Mama Ham said. ``He's the mover and
the shaker, `Hey, we can do it. We can work through it.' ''
In 370 career NBA games, Ham's averaged 3.0 points and 2.5
rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game, and he's had to bang a lot
of bodies in practice to earn those minutes. In Detroit this
season, he averaged 1.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 54 games.
``It's just being focused and competing,'' Darvin Ham said.
``Everybody matters. We all pushed . . . Darko (Milicic)
pushed our big guys every day in practice. That's stuff not
written about in the papers and people don't get to see it.
The thing I love the most is they recognize that around
here.''
The fans will recognize that over the next few days when
Ham and his teammates have a slate of parties, parades and
rallies planned beginning Thursday morning.
``I'm not sleeping until Labor Day,'' Darvin Ham said.
Greg Mancina is a sports writer for The Saginaw News. You
may contact him at 776-9670.
Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, congratulations to the Detroit Pistons
and their Coach, Larry Brown, for winning the 2004 National Basketball
Association Championship, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, four games
to one.
Congratulations for Most Valuable Player Chauncey Billups, Richard
``Rip'' Hamilton who was the high scorer for the Pistons in game five
with 21 points, leading rebounder Ben ``Fear the Fro'' Wallace with 22
rebounds, Tayshaun Prince with his great defense against Kobe Bryant,
and Rasheed Wallace who helped neutralize Shaquille O'Neal and scored
11 points.
The Detroit team displayed unstoppable teamwork, determination and
perseverance to bring this championship to Detroit. I credit former
Detroit ``Bad Boy'' and President of the Detroit Pistons' organization,
Joe Dumars for assembling this team. He traded Grant Hill for Ben
Wallace and acquired Rasheed Wallace in a trade in February. Dumars was
on the Detroit Pistons' Championship teams in 1989 and 1990.
The Las Vegas betting lines had the Pistons the 6-1 underdogs going
into the finals against the Lakers. I suppose a lot of people lost a
lot of money after this team pulled off the biggest upset in NBA finals
history.
This is a great year for Pistons' owner Bill Davidson whose Detroit
Shock won the WNBA Championship last season, Tampa Bay Lightning won
the Stanley Cup this season and now the Detroit Pistons winning the NBA
Championship.
This team believed in themselves and the Detroit fans knew they could
win it all. Go Pistons--National Basketball Association World Champions
2004.
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Detroit
Pistons on winning the 2004 National Basketball Association
Championship. After only five games, the Detroit Pistons won their
third NBA title June 15, with a 100-87 victory over the heavily favored
Los Angeles Lakers. The Pistons showed great strength under pressure
and proved that desire, perseverance and teamwork could triumph over
talent, experience and individual play. I applaud their hard work and
their championship.
I would like to offer my personal congratulations to Chauncey
Billups, Ben Wallace, Mike James, Darvin Ham, Lindsey Hunter, Mehmet
Okur, Taysharun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, Darko Milicic, Richard
Hamilton, Corliss Williamson and Elden Campbell.
Furthermore, I also want to congratulate Pistons owner William
Davidson, team executives Tom Wilson and Joe Dumars and Coach Larry
Brown. Their vision has once again returned the Larry O' Brien Trophy
home to Detroit where it rightfully belongs.
The Detroit Pistons has made Metro Detroit and the State of Michigan
proud. Their teamwork has taught Michiganders that you do not need
stars to win a championship, you need unity. Once again, I congratulate
the Detroit Pistons and their leaders on winning the 2004 NBA
Championship.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.
Res. 679 congratulating the Detroit Pistons on winning the 2004
National Basketball Association championship on June 15, 2004. We must
always recognize honor where honor is due. The Pistons' win against the
Lakers in the 5th game of the series this year is admirable and
therefore, must be honored.
This commemoration will go a long way. In celebrating this win, we
congratulate the players. They are more than just athletes, but they
are also role models, fathers, brothers, sons, and husbands. Under the
leadership of Coach Larry Brown these players came together to form the
most outstanding team of 2004.
Indeed, the Pistons are outstanding off the court as well. We must
acknowledge the Pistons' work in the Detroit community. From
establishing 4 reading and learning centers, holding an essay contest,
and running book drives and clothing drives for needy children in the
winter, the team shows that it is committed to giving back to the
community that gives so much to them.
And certainly the citizens of Detroit must be commended for their
support of the Pistons. At Pistons' games, the love of team abounds.
Families, friends, and fans pack bleachers at every game and show the
Pistons what love is all about. This year the Pistons and the citizens
of Detroit are reaping the rewards of hard work. In Texas, we recognize
when hard work pays off. Today, we ask that Washington do the same.
Mrs. Miller of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, 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. 679.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________