[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 159 (Thursday, October 29, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CELEBRATING THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE NEW NATIONAL STREET 
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE AND THE INDUCTION OF FIFTEEN 
 LEGENDS OF STREET BALL TO THE NATIONAL STREET BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION 
                              HALL OF FAME

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 29, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the launching of 
the new National Street Basketball Professional League and to also 
honor my friends and our nation's legend's of Street Ball. National 
Street Basketball Association is a non-profit sports league 
organization headquartered in New York City. The corporation was 
established to promote amateur and professional street basketball and 
provide the highest competition platform of specialized league teams 
globally.
  National Street Basketball Association offers professional basketball 
athletes (21 & older) who meet NSBA criteria with try-out opportunities 
to represent one of the statewide professional league member team 
divisions and compete on a national platform. In addition, the company 
provides amateur basketball services for youth, such as camps, clinics, 
tournaments and Life-Skill workshops. The company also devises custom 
training post and pre-season workouts to prepare athletes for their 
next level whether professional, college, varsity or AAU basketball.
  National Street Basketball Association coordinates with elected 
officials, district leaders, local community and outreach organizations 
that support youth in sports. The company also sanctions local, 
regional and national ``Street-ball'' tournament organizations 
worldwide. Beginning the summer of 2009, the NSBA will host ``Pro-Ball 
Classic'', an unlimited men's basketball tournament nationwide through 
which they will select, try-out and establish the first six (6) member 
teams to represent their city and compete in their professional league. 
Each tournament city is divided in three (3) divisions, East Coast, 
West Coast and the Midwest with plans of adding a Men's International 
Division by 2010 when the league tips off.
  Madam Speaker, at this time, I want to salute the 2009 Hall of Fame 
Inductees to the National Street Basketball Association, our Playground 
Legends of Street Ball: Nate ``Tiny'' Archibald, Ernie Brown, Freddy 
Crawford, Miles Dorch, Howie Evans, Artie Georges, Leroy Hendricks, 
Bobby Hunter, Zack Husser, John Isaacs, Floyd Lane, Johnny Matthis, Bob 
McCullough, Tony Rosa, and Reggie Threat Sr. Congratulations to my all 
of my friends and role models that grace the courts of our playgrounds 
and basketball Courts throughout Harlem, New York City, the Nation, the 
world and in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
  For two consecutive weekends in October 2009, the National Street 
Basketball Association will launch its first nationwide annual 
fundraiser initiative, ``Hoops For Hope.'' This unique instructional 
basketball skills clinic will provide for young male and female 
athletes with the basic fundamentals of basketball, refine those skills 
already learned, Life-Skill workshops on Drug Prevention, Peer 
Pressure, Conflict & Resolution and allow for drills and play 
situations. This initiative will not only educate but rally the support 
of these youth athletes and further assist the American Cancer 
Society's efforts to help those suffering from this disease, become 
fearless and overcome it.
  This spectacular event plans to feature guest speakers from the 
medical field, professional athletes from the NSBA, and district and 
community leaders in support of raising awareness of Cancer, encourage 
screening for early detection and promote basketball as an alternative 
to destructive leisure time activities and way to stay physically fit 
for life. In addition, the American Cancer Society Teen Challenge will 
conduct Health Workshops on Tobacco Control and Teen Smoking.
  Let me congratulate and recognize Kim Champion, President and Chief 
Executive Officer of the National Street Basketball Association. Kim is 
a former veteran Sports Executive, President of Creating Athletes For 
America Inc. with over 20 years of sports marketing and management 
expertise. She is also the founder of Women of Excellence Awards, 
Playground Hall of Fame, and the ``Pro-Ball'' National Basketball 
Classic tournaments.
  Finally, let me also congratulate and recognize Jose Morales, 
Executive Vice President of the National Street Basketball Association. 
Jose, a legendary basketball executive in his years of basketball has 
headed up some of the biggest Street ball leagues on the East Coast, 
such as Triple Threat/Ron Artest Youth League and the FLAMES and 
Queensbridge Unlimited Pro-Leagues. He also helped promote and showcase 
some of NBA's top athletes in the league today including: Ron Artest, 
Rafer Alston, Lamar Odum, Eric Barkley and other all stars of the 
hardwood.

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