[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 119 (Wednesday, July 12, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 291--COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE DENVER NUGGETS 
     ON THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY IN THE 2023 NATIONAL BASKETBALL 
                           ASSOCIATION FINALS

  Mr. BENNET (for himself and Mr. Hickenlooper) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

       Whereas, on June 12, 2023, the Denver Nuggets defeated the 
     Miami Heat by a score of 94 to 89 in an extraordinary game 5 
     of the National Basketball Association (referred to in this 
     preamble as the ``NBA'') Finals at Ball Arena in Denver, 
     Colorado, and won the 2023 Larry O'Brien Trophy;
       Whereas the Denver Nuggets entered the playoffs ranked as 
     the number 1 seed in the Western Conference for the first 
     time in franchise history;
       Whereas the Denver Nuggets won 10 of their final 11 games 
     in the 2023 playoffs and had the second fewest playoff losses 
     of an NBA champion in a single postseason in the last 20 
     years;
       Whereas the Denver Nuggets won the NBA championship after 
     years of injury-riddled seasons for key players and 
     disappointing playoff losses;
       Whereas the Denver Nuggets allowed only 18 points to the 
     Miami Heat in the final quarter of game 5 of the NBA finals, 
     snuffing out any comeback attempt by the Miami Heat;
       Whereas Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, selected in the 
     second round of the 2014 NBA draft by Denver, won the 2023 
     Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award and became 
     the first player in NBA history to lead the league in points, 
     rebounds, and assists during a single postseason;
       Whereas Denver Nuggets players Nikola Jokic and Jamal 
     Murray became the first pair of teammates to combine for 300 
     assists and 1,000 points in a single postseason;
       Whereas the Denver Nuggets became the second original 
     American Basketball Association franchise, along with the San 
     Antonio Spurs, to win an NBA championship;
       Whereas the championship victory for the Denver Nuggets was 
     their first in franchise history since the team was founded 
     in Denver in 1967;
       Whereas the Denver Nuggets have the most seasons as an NBA 
     franchise before winning their first championship (46 years);
       Whereas Michael Malone, Calvin Booth, and the entire team 
     of coaches and staff were instrumental in developing the 
     dynamic, free-flowing offense and stifling defense of the 
     Denver Nuggets, and have fostered a positive, selfless team 
     spirit;
       Whereas the dedicated fan base of the Denver Nuggets has 
     offered unrelenting, passionate support to the team; and
       Whereas, both on and off the court, the Denver Nuggets are 
     a source of immense pride for Colorado and the entire fan 
     base of the Denver Nuggets: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Denver Nuggets on their championship 
     victory in the 2023 National Basketball Association Finals;
       (2) celebrates the selfless teamwork and extraordinary 
     character, pride, determination, and hard-work of the Denver 
     Nuggets; and
       (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) the owner of the Denver Nuggets, E. Stanley Kroenke;
       (B) the Head Coach of the Denver Nuggets, Michael Malone; 
     and
       (C) the General Manager of the Denver Nuggets, Calvin 
     Booth.

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