[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S5323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 563--RECOGNIZING THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS ON THEIR 2010 
  NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP AND CONGRATULATING THE 
     PLAYERS, COACHES, AND STAFF FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mrs. Boxer) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 563

       Whereas on June 17, 2010, the Los Angeles Lakers won the 
     2010 National Basketball Association (NBA) Championship with 
     a 83-79 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the NBA 
     Finals;
       Whereas during the 2010 NBA Playoffs, the Lakers defeated 
     the Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, and 
     Boston Celtics en route to the storied franchise's 16th 
     championship and 11th in Los Angeles;
       Whereas the 2010 Lakers honored the franchise's tradition 
     of excellence that dates back to its establishment in 1947 in 
     Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the Lakers were named for the 
     ``Land of 10,000 Lakes'' and won 5 championships before 
     moving to Los Angeles in 1960;
       Whereas this marks the Lakers' 5th NBA championship since 
     1999, the most by any franchise during that period, and 
     matches the run by the ``Showtime'' Lakers of the 1980's that 
     featured Hall of Fame players Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson, 
     Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy;
       Whereas Phil Jackson has won more championships than any 
     other coach in NBA history, recording his 11th championship 
     this year and 5th with the Lakers;
       Whereas the 2010 NBA Championship marks the 10th for the 
     Lakers owner Gerald Hatten Buss;
       Whereas general manager Mitch Kupchak has built a team that 
     has exemplified the talent, character, and resilience 
     necessary to repeat as NBA Champions;
       Whereas Kobe Bryant won his 5th NBA Championship, tying him 
     with Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson and Derek Fisher for the most 
     by a Lakers player;
       Whereas Kobe Bryant averaged 28.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 
     3.9 assists during the NBA Finals, en route to winning his 
     2nd consecutive NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award and 
     becoming just the 8th player to win the award on multiple 
     occasions;
       Whereas Ron Artest, whose hustle and defensive tenacity 
     were critical to the Lakers' win, recorded 20 points and 5 
     steals during Game 7 of the NBA Finals;
       Whereas the frontcourt of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and 
     Lamar Odom played stifling defense and helped the Lakers out-
     rebound the Celtics in the decisive Game 7;
       Whereas Derek Fisher consistently showed toughness and 
     leadership and scored 16 critical points in Game 3 in Boston;
       Whereas the Lakers bench scored 25 points in a pivotal Game 
     6, and players Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic, 
     Shannon Brown, Josh Powell, and DJ Mbenga all contributed to 
     the team's 2010 Championship;
       Whereas the Lakers posted a record of 57-25 during the 
     regular season, the best record in the Western Conference and 
     3rd best in the NBA; and
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers have demonstrated that they 
     are both champions on the court and in the community through 
     the team's involvement in charity and outreach programs 
     throughout the Southern California community: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate recognizes and congratulates--
       (1) the Los Angeles Lakers for winning the 2010 NBA Finals;
       (2) the Boston Celtics for winning the NBA Eastern 
     Conference Championship and continuing a timeless rivalry; 
     and
       (3) coach Phil Jackson for winning his record-setting 11th 
     championship.

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