[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 14 (Thursday, January 23, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF GUS WILLIAMS

  (Mr. LATIMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Gus 
Williams, a basketball great and New York 16th Congressional District 
native from Mt. Vernon, New York. Gus was born October 10, 1953, in Mt. 
Vernon, and his basketball talent made him one of the greatest players 
to ever hail from my hometown.
  On the basketball court, Gus got the nickname ``The Wizard'' for his 
acrobatic style, speed, and incredibly accurate midrange jump shots--
none of which I have.
  He led the Mt. Vernon Knights high school basketball team to a 22-1 
season, winning State championship and State Player of the Year in 
1971.
  He went to the University of South California, where he was Most 
Valuable Player in 1975, went onto an NBA career with the Golden State 
Warriors, and then signed with the Seattle Supersonics. In 1979, Gus 
led the NBA Supersonics to their NBA title, averaging 28 points in 
their final games. The Sonics retired Gus' No. 1 jersey in 2004.
  I am grateful that I got to go to high school with Gus Williams, to 
have seen his magic and his skill in person before the rest of the 
world had the opportunity.
  He will be deeply missed in the Mt. Vernon community, but his memory 
will live on.

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