[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 101 (Monday, June 18, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3984-S3985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 550--CONGRATULATING THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS FOR 
 THEIR DOMINANT BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY IN THE 2018 NATIONAL 
                     BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION FINALS

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Ms. Harris) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 550

       Whereas, on June 8, 2018, the Golden State Warriors 
     defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers by a score of 108-85, to win 
     the 2018 National Basketball Association (referred to in the 
     preamble as the ``NBA'') Finals in 4 games;
       Whereas the Golden State Warriors captured their third 
     championship in 4 years, and their sixth championship in the 
     history of the franchise;
       Whereas this dominant championship victory of 2018 marks 
     the first time a professional sports team from the San 
     Francisco Bay area in California has clinched a back-to-back 
     championship title in 28 years;
       Whereas every single member of the 2017-2018 Golden State 
     Warriors team contributed to this championship, including 
     Jordan Bell, Chris Boucher, Quinn Cook, Stephen Curry, Kevin 
     Durant, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, Damian Jones, Shaun 
     Livingston, Kevon Looney, Patrick McCaw, JaVale McGee, ZaZa 
     Pachulia, Klay Thompson, David West, and Nick Young;
       Whereas, despite capturing its third championship in 4 
     years, the Golden State Warriors overcame a grueling NBA 
     season, in which the team suffered a rash of injuries both 
     during the season and in the playoff run;
       Whereas Kevin Durant was named Most Valuable Player of the 
     NBA Finals for the second straight year, with 2 signature 
     performances in Games 3 and 4 of the series, including 
     scoring 43 points on the road in Cleveland, Ohio in Game 3, 
     and registering a triple-double performance in Game 4;
       Whereas Steph Curry similarly registered signature 
     performances in the NBA Finals series, in Game 2 when he 
     scored 33 points to break the NBA Finals record for 3-
     pointers in a game, with 9 3-pointers made, and in Game 4 
     when he scored 37 points, bringing his scoring average to 
     27.5 points for the series;
       Whereas Steve Kerr, Mike Brown, and the entire team of 
     coaches and staff have been instrumental in developing the 
     Golden State Warriors' dynamic and record-setting style of 
     play, and have fostered a positive, selfless team spirit;
       Whereas Joe Lacob and Peter Gruber have built one of the 
     most exciting and high-performing franchises in NBA history; 
     and
       Whereas the dedicated fan base of the Golden State Warriors 
     has offered unrelenting, passionate support to the team: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Golden State Warriors for winning the 
     2018 National Basketball Association Championship, a back-to-
     back victory after the team's 2017 championship;
       (2) recognizes the historic achievements of all the 
     players, coaches, and staff who contributed to the 2017-2018 
     season; and
       (3) celebrates the pride exhibited by the Golden State 
     Warriors, including their selfless teamwork and extraordinary 
     character, joy, determination, and hard-work.

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise to introduce a resolution 
recognizing--and commending--the Golden State Warriors for overcoming a 
battle-tested season to prevail as the 2017-2018 NBA World Champions.
  After going 16 and 5 in the postseason and sweeping the Cleveland 
Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, the Warriors have become back-to-back 
champions for the first time in franchise history, and have won three 
championships in the past four years.
  They are now appropriately considered an NBA dynasty, and can easily 
lay claim to being the team of this decade. They are also now 
recognized as one of the greatest teams ever assembled. And what is 
frightening for the rest of the league, is that it appears this team is 
far from finished.

[[Page S3985]]

  These playoffs helped bring out the best in these Warriors. After a 
tough seven game series in the NBA Western Conference Finals against 
the Houston Rockets, the team strung together a dominant performance in 
the Finals against the Cavaliers. Their brilliant performance in the 
finals was marked by just how beautiful this team plays. From the 
superstars on the team to the last person on the bench, the team 
exhibited dynamic teamwork, selflessness, and infectious joy.
  Their on-court style, which I have come to enjoy so much, is a 
reflection of the entire organization. I want to commend everyone who 
is a part of the organization--the video interns, the training staff, 
the owners, the coaches, the players and fans. They all deserve a 
tremendous amount of credit for winning again this year with 
consistency and class.
  Although at times it has appeared too easy for the Warriors, this 
season has been anything but easy. It was a season marked by constant 
struggle and obstacles. When starters were sidelined due to injury 
throughout the season and playoffs, bench players stepped in and 
stepped up, revealing, yet again, the team's depth and heart.
  And when the Warriors were pushed to the brink of elimination, they 
pulled together as a team and strung together two gutsy wins to make it 
back to the NBA Finals for the fourth straight year.
  It was indeed a grueling season. For four years now, they have been 
the ``hunted'' rather than the ``hunter,'' and absorbed the best shots 
from teams around the league. When things got tough throughout the 
season and the players and coaches could have pointed fingers at each 
other, this team never gave in. They kept fighting and fighting until 
they made it back to the mountain top, together.
  What I am equally proud of about this team is that it has been a 
positive force within the Bay Area community since 2012. Over the past 
several years, the Warriors Foundation has awarded $6.2 million in 
grants to support educational initiatives in Alameda and San Francisco 
Counties. The Foundation, along with individual players, have also 
refurbished over 70 basketball courts throughout the Bay, creating safe 
and beautiful places for our young people to play. They are a team that 
not only plays the right way on the court, but they are also a team 
that makes the right impact off of the court.
  So, to reigning two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, 
Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Coach Steve Kerr, Coach Brown, Joe 
Lacob, Peter Guber, Rick Welts, Bob Myers and all of the players, 
coaches, staff, family, friends and fans, I say, thank you.
  Thank you for making California proud both on and off the court, and 
congratulations on a job well-done for a second year in a row.
  The only question now is, ``can you make it three?''
  I yield the floor.

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