[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 95 (Friday, June 8, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H4984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING A TREMENDOUS VICTORY LAST NIGHT BY THE WASHINGTON CAPITALS

  (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, it is warm in here.
  Mr. Speaker, there is joy in the Washington Capital Region today.
  When I get up in the morning every day and I read the front page of 
the Washington Post, I say: Oh, my goodness.
  Today, I read the front page of the Washington Post. ``At last, 
Capitals,'' with Alex Ovechkin holding the Stanley Cup high, 
celebrates.
  Mr. Speaker, I was in the Maryland State Senate in 1973, and one of 
the great citizens of our region, Abe Pollin, said to us, to me, and to 
others: We want to build an arena in Prince George's County. It was 
called the Capital Center.
  And in 1974, Abe Pollin brought hockey to the Washington Metropolitan 
area.
  Abe Pollin died not too long ago. Before he died, he sold the Caps to 
Ted Leonsis. Abe Pollin and Ted Leonsis are ecstatic today.
  Forty-four years, and now we are the national champions. Mr. Speaker, 
I rise with great joy and excitement to celebrate the tremendous 
victory last night by the Washington Capitals in the Stanley Cup 
finals.
  The Caps had an extraordinary season and brought home a victory for 
the national capital region; its first major sports championship since 
1992.
  When team captain Alex Ovechkin raised the Stanley Cup over his head 
last night, he did so on behalf of thousands upon thousands upon 
thousands of Caps fans across our region, including, of course, my 
district.
  That moment came after a 4-3 victory over an extraordinary team, the 
Vegas Golden Knights, who, in their first season as an expansion team 
in the National Hockey League, became the first team to come to the 
finals in that status. They had a magnificent season and their own 
exciting path to the finals during their inaugural season.
  As the celebrations continue from last night into today and over the 
coming days, I want to offer my congratulations to the players, 
coaches, managerial staff, and my thanks to all the fans who made the 
Caps' victory possible.
  I hope my colleagues, dare I say even the ones from Nevada, will join 
me in congratulating them as well.
  Alex Ovechkin was chosen as the most valuable player, having scored 
15 goals in the playoffs.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to say one last thing. My father was born in 
Denmark. Lars Eller, a member of the Washington Capitals, was born and 
lives in Denmark, scored the winning goal.
  The colors of the Danish flag, as some of you may know, are red and 
white. How appropriate. How wonderful. How grateful we are for the 
vision of Abe Pollin and the sponsorship of Ted Leonsis.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair will remind Members to appear on 
the floor in proper attire.

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