[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            KENDRICK PERKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2008

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, today I am proud to pay tribute to Kendrick 
Perkins, the former basketball standout at Clifton J. Ozen High school 
and the starting Center for the 2007-2008 NBA Champion Boston Celtics.
  Kendrick was born in Nederland, Texas, in 1984. According to his 
grandmother, he played football and baseball as a young boy but would 
fall asleep at night holding a basketball. He attended Our Mother of 
Mercy Catholic School throughout elementary school and was one of the 
tallest altar boys they have ever seen. So tall, in fact, that they had 
to have a robe specially made for him. He continued to serve the church 
until his high school graduation, even while scouts and agents were 
vying for his services.
  Perkins attended Ozen High School in Beaumont, Texas and left quite a 
legacy on the basketball court. He led the team to three Class 4A Sate 
Championship games in three years, winning the title as a sophomore in 
2001. During that run, his Panthers were a combined 111-4. As a senior, 
the 6-foot-10 Kendrick averaged 27 points, 16 rebounds, and almost 8 
blocked shots per game, easily making him one of the nation's top high 
school prospects.
  After graduating from high school in 2003, a number of elite colleges 
recruited him and he was considered by some to be the best high school 
center in America. He was ranked alongside LeBron James as the nation's 
top recruits, but so far advanced was his game that he spent that 
summer traveling to tryouts with a number of NBA teams. He was drafted 
in the first round of the NBA Draft with the 27th overall pick by the 
Memphis Grizzlies and immediately traded to the Boston Celtics, one of 
the most successful franchises in all sports.
  Kendrick played a support role as the team's ``enforcer'' during his 
first few years in the league, earning a reputation as one of the 
tougher players on the team. He would eventually work his way up the 
depth chart to starting center. In 2007, the team made a number of off-
season moves that would leave the Celtics as the favorite to win the 
title. The team had the best record in the league during the regular 
season and had home court advantage throughout the playoffs.
  The playoffs were more difficult than they would have hoped. Their 
first two series both went to seven games but they were able to pull 
through. Kendrick and the Celtics beat former prep-rival LeBron James 
and his Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals to bring 
the Celtics to their first NBA Finals appearance since the 1985-86 
season. Their opponents were the Los Angeles Lakers, facing each other 
in the Finals for a record 11th time. There was genuine buzz and 
excitement around the NBA for the first time in recent memory and 
Kendrick would have a chance to shine.
  The first few games saw the Celtics dominate the series at home. The 
Lakers were able to win one when they returned to their home court and 
had a chance to win Game 4 before the Celtics made the biggest comeback 
in NBA Finals history to win the game. Perkins injured his shoulder and 
sat out Game 5. He was doubtful for Game 6 but showed the toughness 
that has come to define him and played through the pain to help the 
Celtics win their 17th overall championship. Perkins averaged 6 points 
and 6 rebounds to lead his team to the 2007-08 NBA Championship.
  On behalf of the Second Congressional District of Texas, I applaud 
Kendrick Perkins on his outstanding achievements. He has been 
successful on and off the court, and I applaud his dedication to his 
community and to his team.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________