[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 11, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E854]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO THE IOWA ENERGY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2011

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize 
the Iowa Energy, the 2011 Champions of the National Basketball 
Association's Developmental League and pride of Iowa.
  The Energy captured the crown on Friday, April 29th, before an 
enthusiastic home crowd at the Wells Fargo Arena, where they defeated 
the defending NBA D-League champions the Rio Grande Valley Vipers by a 
score of 119-111.
  This is the first league championship for the Iowa Energy, which is 
affiliated with the Chicago Bulls and the Phoenix Suns. The team's 
establishment took place in 2007, inspired by the vision of Jerry 
Crawford, Gary Kirke, Sheldon Ohringer and Paul Drey to bring quality 
basketball to the heart of the heartland. The franchise has continually 
grown in stature and success, culminating this year with not only the 
team's first championship of many to come but also the D-League's MVP, 
Iowa State University Alumni Curtis Stinson. The Energy can also boast 
that the two largest crowds in the entire NBA D-League's history are 
solely the product of this franchise and the incredible basketball 
sporting event just concluded in Des Moines.
  There can only be one champion at the end of any sport's season, and 
I am honored to represent the great state where the Iowa Energy play 
and win. This feat marks years of unwavering commitment by the players, 
management and fans of the team and represents the best of Iowa's 
people and their well known work ethic.
  Mr. Speaker, all Iowans should take heart in MVP Curtis Stinson's 
proclamation after the championship game: ``We're certified; we're 
champions. They can't ever take this away from us.'' I know that all 
members of this body join me in congratulating the Iowa Energy and the 
tradition of basketball excellence that I expect to continue well into 
the future.

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