[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 102 (Thursday, June 19, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5838-S5839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 596--CONGRATULATING THE BOSTON CELTICS ON WINNING THE 
           2008 NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIPS

  Mr. KERRY (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Reed, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. 
Dodd, Mr. Sununu, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Gregg) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:
       Whereas on June 17, 2008, the Boston Celtics won the 2008 
     National Basketball Association Championship (referred to in 
     this preamble as the ``2008 Championship'') in 6 games over 
     the Los Angeles Lakers;
       Whereas the 2008 Championship was the 17th world 
     championship won by the Celtics, the most in the history of 
     the National Basketball Association (referred to in this 
     preamble as the ``NBA'');
       Whereas the 2008 Championship marked the culmination of the 
     greatest single season turnaround in the history of the NBA, 
     as the Celtics improved from a record of 24-58 during the 
     2007-2008 season to a league-best 66-16 mark during the 2007-
     2008 campaign;
       Whereas the 2008 Celtics NBA Championship team, like all 
     great Celtics champions of the past, epitomized team work, 
     selflessness, character, effort, camaraderie, toughness, and 
     determination;
       Whereas the 2008 Celtics honored the rich legacy of their 
     franchise, which was--
       (1) established by a legion of all-time greats, including 
     Bill Russell, Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Bob Cousy, Tom 
     Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones, Jo Jo White, Dave Cowens, 
     Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, and Tom 
     ``Satch'' Sanders; and
       (2) masterminded by one of the legendary coaches of all 
     sports, Arnold ``red'' Auerbach;

       Whereas Celtics managing partner Wyc Grousbeck and the 
     entire Celtics ownership group never wavered from paying the 
     price to raise ``Banner #17'' to the Garden rafters;
       Whereas the 2008 Celtics were brought together by a former 
     Celtics player, Danny Ainge, whose off-season acquisitions of 
     NBA All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen earned him the 2008 
     NBA Executive of the Year Award;
       Whereas the Celtics were led by Doc Rivers, who--
       (1) oversaw the smooth integration of new superstars and 
     untested young players into the Celtics lineup; and
       (2) assembled, and ensured the execution of, a masterful 
     NBA Finals game plan;

       Whereas the Celtics featured a 21st Century ``Big Three'' 
     comprised of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, 3 
     veteran players who worked together and never allowed their 
     personal ambition or pursuit of individual statistics to 
     interfere with the goal of the team to win a championship;
       Whereas a group of talented young players contributed 
     pivotal roles in the march of the Celtics to the 2008 
     Championship, including point guard Rajon Rondo, center 
     Kendrick Perkins, forward Leon Powe, guard Tony Allen, and 
     forward Glen ``Big Baby'' Davis;
       Whereas the valuable bench of the Celtics was stocked with 
     veteran role players who made significant contributions 
     during the season, including forward James Posey, guard Eddie 
     House, guard Sam Cassell, forward P.J. Brown, forward Brian 
     Scalabrine, and center Scott Pollard;
       Whereas the 2008 Celtics team demonstrated remarkable poise 
     and gained invaluable playoff experience in defeating the 
     Atlanta Hawks, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Detroit 
     Pistons in hard-fought series during which every possession 
     counted at both the offensive and defensive ends of the 
     floor;
       Whereas, after 26 playoff games, the Celtics ultimately 
     secured the 17th NBA Championship of the franchise in one of 
     the most dominating performances in NBA history, a 39-point 
     rout of the Lakers in front of a raucous Garden crowd; and

[[Page S5839]]

       Whereas the Celtics fans in the State of Massachusetts, in 
     New England, and throughout the world never gave up hope that 
     the franchise would someday return to glory and give a new 
     generation of Celtics fans the opportunity to celebrate a 
     championship: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates--
       (A) the Boston Celtics for winning the 2008 National 
     Basketball Association Championship, including the players, 
     head coach, coaches, support staff, and team owners and 
     executives whose ability, hard work, dedication, and spirit 
     made the season possible; and
       (B) the Los Angeles Lakers for their success during the 
     2008 season and winning the National Basketball Association 
     Western Conference Championship; and
       (2) directs the Enrolling Clerk of the Senate to transmit 
     an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) the 2008 Boston Celtics team;
       (B) Celtics head coach Doc Rivers;
       (C) Celtics general manager Danny Ainge; and
       (D) Celtics managing partner Wyc Grousbeck.

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