[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 121 (Monday, September 25, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H7330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  2115
                             HOOPS FOR HOPE

  Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I rise to take my Special Order at this 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from 
Missouri is recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I wish to report upon a recent event which 
was refreshingly bipartisan that succeeded in advancing humanitarian 
causes and personal fitness, all in the same event. There were no 
political speeches. It was simply a group coming together from 
different political perspectives. I am speaking of the eighth annual 
Hoops For Hope, the intense athletic contest between select Members of 
this venerable institution and a representative team from the seemingly 
infinite number of registered lobbyists.
  Our bipartisan bicameral group of eight, small in size and stature, 
took the court against an all-star team of superior athletes. On paper, 
Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, our undermanned, overmatched band, should 
have never even been in the same building as our foe. But as they say 
on ESPN SportsCenter, that's why they play the game.
  Suffice it to say that this impressive and gleaming trophy suggests 
the outcome of the game. Yes, we Members defeated the lobbyists 44-39.
  But the true winners are the kids of the D.C. area and beyond who 
will benefit through three extremely worthwhile charities: Hill Help, 
Horton's Kids, and the Luke Tiahrt Foundation. The moneys raised from 
this cause will help provide comprehensive service to underserved kids 
in an effort to improve the quality of each child's daily life and 
enhance each child's desire and ability to succeed academically. This 
is through money raised to go to tutoring, to participate in community 
service projects, summer camp and mentoring.
  This annual event, Hoops For Hope, was the brainchild of Paul Miller, 
President of the American League of Lobbyists, and our former colleague 
from New York, Mr. Quinn.
  The first game 8 years ago generated about $7,500 for charity. After 
this most recent event the other night, the cumulative total has 
exceeded $260,000. Over a quarter of a million dollars have been raised 
during the life of this charitable event.
  There was some concern expressed earlier, I admit, concerning the 
scandal surrounding a high-profile lobbyist as to whether the game 
would even go forward this year. Well, the American League of Lobbyists 
passed a code of ethics in 1987 in order to help preserve and advance 
the public trust in the democratic process. Paul Miller, who was 
instrumental in this game and this cause, has so passionately advocated 
for lobbying reform in several congressional hearings before the other 
body and our own.
  Let me say a special thank you to that band of eight: Senator Thune 
from South Dakota, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen), the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake), the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Kind), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus), the gentleman from 
Kansas (Mr. Tiahrt) and the dean of our group, the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Oxley), who is retiring after serving this institution so 
venerably. In fact, Mr. Oxley was inducted into the Hoops for Hope Hall 
of Fame; and, as I remarked to the crowd then, Mr. Oxley's belief about 
basketball is if it feels like leather, shoot it. We will miss Mr. 
Oxley's on-court antics.
  I want to thank Roll Call and George Washington University for their 
instrumental role as far as making a very successful eighth annual 
Hoops for Hope.
  I invite my teammates on both sides of the aisle to share in the 
spoils of victory. I mentioned this to some of my teammates. This 
trophy can be an impressive office decoration. It certainly is a unique 
conversation starter or simply a gaudy hood ornament.

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