[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14706]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    SAN ANTONIO SPURS TAKE THE RING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 29, 1999

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, in San Antonio this past Sunday, more 
than 230,000 fans lined the banks of the historic River Walk to honor 
the World Champion San Antonio Spurs. For a city that is the 8th 
largest in the nation, San Antonio is proud of its humble warriors. San 
Antonio can not only boast about its strong economy, thriving culture, 
and beautiful weather, it can now lay claim to pro basketball's finest 
team.
  From the rich tradition of the San Antonio Missions and the Alamo, to 
the Tower of the Americas, San Antonio's skyline can now add the true 
Twin Towers, David Robinson and Tim Duncan. The whole team acted as one 
cohesive unit, displaying the chemistry that all great champions have, 
and to that, they all proved worthy. For a team that has one of the 
highest college graduation rates in all professional sports, they are 
truly heroes and role models for us all.
  This fine athletic achievement is not only for the city of San 
Antonio, Peter and Julianna Holt, the team owners, or the players, but 
it is for all the fans of the old American Basketball Association. This 
is the first time a team from the old ABA has won the NVA Championship. 
This victory was for all of us who remember the ``Iceman'' George 
Gervin, along with countless other great stars who toiled long hours 
for recognition. It is for those who remember the Hemisphere Arena and 
the ``Baseline Bums''. Team basketball shined this day, and for all the 
fans of the San Antonio Spurs, it shines just a little brighter.

                          ____________________