[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H9255-H9256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE DETROIT SHOCK FOR WINNING THE 2006 WOMEN'S NATIONAL 
                  BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration 
of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 488) congratulating the 
Detroit Shock for winning the 2006 Women's National Basketball 
Association Championship, and for other purposes, and ask for its 
immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 488

       Whereas on September 9, 2006, the Detroit Shock, playing in 
     Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, in front of a crowd of 
     19,671, defeated the Sacramento Monarchs, who were defending 
     their title as the 2005 Women's National Basketball 
     Association (WNBA) champion;
       Whereas the Detroit Shock fans sold out Joe Louis Arena to 
     cheer for their hometown team in the championship game;
       Whereas in Game 5 of the championship series, the Detroit 
     Shock rallied from a first-half deficit of 8 points, 
     beginning the second half with a 10-0 run, to defeat the 
     Sacramento Monarchs with an 80-75 win;
       Whereas Deanna Nolan, who led the team with 24 points on 
     10-of-23 shooting in the final game, was named the WNBA 
     Finals Most Valuable Player;
       Whereas the Detroit Shock won the WNBA Eastern Conference 2 
     games to 1, in the best-of-three-game series over the 
     Connecticut Sun, to earn the right to play in the WNBA 
     championship;
       Whereas the Detroit Shock's victory marked the second time 
     in 4 years that the team has succeeded in winning the WNBA 
     championship title;
       Whereas the Detroit Shock never lost its confidence, even 
     while the team was trailing by 1 game to 2 in the best-of-
     five-game championship series;
       Whereas the Detroit Shock set WNBA finals records for 
     defensive rebounds with a total of 30 and defensive rebounds 
     in a half with a total of 19;
       Whereas Ruth Riley set a WNBA finals record for shot blocks 
     in a half with a total of 4;
       Whereas Bill Laimbeer, the head coach of the Detroit Shock, 
     has assured his legacy as one of the great head coaches in 
     professional basketball by winning his second WNBA 
     championship;
       Whereas prior to his career as the head coach of the 
     Detroit Shock, Bill Laimbeer enjoyed a career as a National 
     Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star with the Detroit 
     Pistons;
       Whereas the city of Detroit celebrated the Detroit Shock's 
     championship on September 12, 2006, and the Detroit City 
     Council recognized the outstanding achievement and 
     perseverance of the Detroit Shock players and coaching staff;
       Whereas William Davidson, Managing Partner; Tom Wilson, 
     President and Chief Executive Officer; Craig Turnbull, Chief 
     Operating Officer; Bill Laimbeer, Head Coach; Rick Mahorn, 
     Assistant Coach; Cheryl Reeve, Assistant Coach; Mike Perkins, 
     Athletic Trainer; and everyone associated with the Detroit 
     Shock franchise contributed to the championship win by 
     successfully recruiting, coaching, managing, supporting, and 
     maintaining a WNBA team of high-quality, winning players;
       Whereas the Detroit Shock organization has had a beneficial 
     impact on the city of Detroit and the Southeast Michigan 
     community, and Detroit Shock players have served as positive 
     role models for female athletes throughout the State of 
     Michigan; and
       Whereas the Detroit Shock fans have contributed to the 
     championship season by supporting the team and giving the 
     team the energy, strength, motivation, and passion to compete 
     in every game in an intensely competitive sport: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) congratulates the Detroit Shock for winning the 2006 
     Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Championship 
     and for their outstanding performance during the 2006 WNBA 
     season;

[[Page H9256]]

       (2) congratulates Detroit Shock guard Deanna Nolan for 
     winning the 2006 WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award;
       (3) recognizes and praises the achievements of the Detroit 
     Shock players, coaches, management, and support staff whose 
     hard work, dedication, and resilience proved instrumental 
     throughout the Detroit Shock's championship season;
       (4) commends Detroit Shock Head Coach Bill Laimbeer, the 
     Southeast Michigan community, the city of Detroit, and the 
     Detroit Shock fans for their dedication; and
       (5) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) each of the Detroit Shock players;
       (B) Bill Laimbeer, Detroit Shock Head Coach;
       (C) William Davidson, Detroit Shock Managing Partner;
       (D) each of the Detroit Shock coaches;
       (E) the Honorable Kwame Kilpatrick, Mayor of the city of 
     Detroit;
       (F) the Honorable L. Brooks Patterson, County Executive, 
     Oakland County, Michigan; and
       (G) the Honorable Jennifer Granholm, Governor of the State 
     of Michigan.

  The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________