[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 17, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H3473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      FORT DUPONT ICE HOCKEY CLUB

  (Mr. HIGGINS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, the first annual Lawmakers versus Lobbyists 
Charity Hockey Game took place 2 weeks ago on Friday, March 6. The game 
was played at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, the practice facility of 
the NHL's Washington Capitals.
  The game was a fundraiser for the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club of 
Washington, D.C. The club is a developmental program that provides 
local, inner-city youth with an opportunity to participate in an 
organized ice hockey program.
  More than $25,000 was raised for this organization. The Lawmakers 
team was led by Senator John Kerry, Congressman Anthony Weiner--who 
played goalie with his cat-like reflexes--Congressman Patrick Murphy, 
and me. Also, Bob Fisher, the assistant manager of the Cloak Room, 
participated in the Members' team.
  The Lobbyists were led by Nick Lewis and Jeffrey Kimbell. Lobbyist 
Captain Nick Lewis and Lawmaker Captain Tim Regan squared off for the 
ceremonial opening face-off.
  The Lawmakers won a hard-earned 6-4 victory in this inaugural 
contest. The real winners, however, Mr. Speaker, of this game were the 
kids from the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club.
  I yield to Mr. Murphy.
  Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, it was a great 
charity event.
  There are a lot of challenges facing our country right now where our 
focus is, but we took time out for the kids to make sure that we raised 
money. These kids could not afford to play the game of hockey, which 
really demonstrates and embodies the sense of teamwork and goal 
setting. It was great to be with those kids, with the first African 
American NHL player, who was also there. And I would also like to 
highlight the cooperation of the Washington Capitals.
  I would like to say that our colleague from New York (Mr. Weiner), 
who got the puck of the game, who was our goaltender, a lot of folks 
did say that he had cat-like reflexes. He reminded me of a young Mike 
Richter, who most folks understand is a New York Ranger, won the World 
Cup for Team America that was played at the Wachovia Center in 
Philadelphia. But Mike Richter is from the suburbs of Philadelphia, and 
I was proud of that comparison of Anthony Weiner to Mike Richter. I 
sometimes question the athletic ability of Mr. Weiner, but that day he 
really showed his skill.
  Mr. WEINER. Will the gentleman yield so I may defend myself?
  Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. I will yield.
  Mr. WEINER. First of all, let me join with my colleagues in 
expressing the gratitude that we all have to the organizers that helped 
raise so much money for these kids that play in the inner city. They 
scarcely have rinks, unlike in Buffalo and some of our communities. It 
was really a terrific program. I'm glad we were able to do it.
  ``Lobbyists'' is a dirty word in this town now--and sometimes they 
played a little dirty on the ice, but we will put that aside because 
the result was the same.
  I just want to say, being a great hockey player in Congress is kind 
of like being the one-eyed man in the land of the blind; I'm not sure 
it says all that much. But I want to thank Congressman Higgins--who I 
believe scored two goals; I learned that by watching the news reports 
and hearing him say it again and again throughout his quotes--and also 
you, Mr. Murphy. I have never seen a hockey player skate that slowly, 
but somehow you managed to get to every puck.
  This is a great cause. Let's hope that we do it every 10 or 12 years 
or so because that's how long it takes us all to recover. I thank you 
very much for what you have done, and I thank you for persuading me to 
play in the game. It is true, I am cat-like in the crease. I curl up in 
a ball and just sleep through the game while you guys did the hard 
work.

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