[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 20, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6187-S6188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COMMENDING THE CAROLINA HURRICANES

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 517 which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 517) commending the Carolina 
     Hurricanes for winning the 2006 National Hockey League 
     Stanley Cup.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 517) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 517

       Whereas on June 19, 2006, the Carolina Hurricanes toppled 
     the Edmonton Oilers in one of the most exciting National 
     Hockey League (NHL) Finals in history by a score of 3-1 in 
     the seventh and final game;
       Whereas this is the first Stanley Cup for the Carolina 
     Hurricanes;
       Whereas the Hurricanes are the first professional sports 
     team in North Carolina history to win a major sports 
     championship;
       Whereas the Hurricanes finished at the top of the Southeast 
     Division of the Eastern Conference during the regular season 
     with a record of 52-22-8;
       Whereas the Hurricanes rallied from a 2-game deficit, 
     winning 4 consecutive games to defeat the Montreal Canadians 
     in the first round of the playoffs;
       Whereas the Hurricanes rolled over the New Jersey Devils in 
     the second round of the playoffs, winning the series in only 
     5 games;
       Whereas the Hurricanes showed their desire to win a 
     championship by defeating the Buffalo Sabres in the seventh 
     game of the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the 
     Stanley Cup Finals;

[[Page S6188]]

       Whereas in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals the Hurricanes 
     became only the sixth team in NHL Finals history to overcome 
     a 3-goal deficit to win;
       Whereas Cam Ward became the first rookie goaltender to win 
     a Stanley Cup in 20 years, and with 22 saves in Game 7, was 
     named the MVP of the playoffs, becoming the fourth rookie and 
     second-youngest player to be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy;
       Whereas Hurricanes head coach Peter Laviolette won his 
     first Stanley Cup in his first full season at the helm of the 
     team;
       Whereas defensemen Aaron Ward and Frantisek Kaberle scored 
     goals during the first period in Game 7 to put the Hurricanes 
     up 2-0;
       Whereas with the team only 1 goal ahead, Justin Williams 
     sealed the 3-1 victory with an empty net goal in the final 
     minute of the game;
       Whereas a sold-out crowd of 18,978 at the RBC Center in 
     Raleigh, North Carolina celebrated as the final horn sounded, 
     announcing the Hurricanes' championship;
       Whereas the Hurricanes veteran captain Rod Brind'Amour, who 
     demonstrated great leadership throughout the entire season, 
     won his first Stanley Cup and was the first to accept the Cup 
     from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman by hoisting the historic 
     trophy over his head in victory;
       Whereas assistant captain Glen Wesley, who has played in 
     more playoff games than any other active NHL player, won his 
     first Stanley Cup at age 37;
       Whereas 21-year-old Eric Staal became the youngest player 
     to lead the playoffs in scoring since Gordie Howe in 1949;
       Whereas hockey now joins college basketball and NASCAR as 
     the favorite pastimes of North Carolina;
       Whereas each player from the Hurricanes championship team 
     will have his name forever etched on the Stanley Cup; and
       Whereas North Carolina will be home to the Stanley Cup for 
     at least the next year: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) applauds the Carolina Hurricanes for winning the 2006 
     Stanley Cup;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, head coach 
     Peter Laviolette, the assistant coaches, and the support 
     staff who all played critical roles in leading the Hurricanes 
     to the championship; and
       (3) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to Hurricanes 
     owner Peter Karmanos, Jr. and head coach Peter Laviolette for 
     appropriate display.

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