[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25301]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 WILT CHAMBERLAIN'S PENNSYLVANIA LEGACY

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                          HON. GEORGE W. GEKAS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 13, 1999

  Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of the greatest 
basketball players, and one of the most magnificent Pennsylvanians that 
ever lived. As the Representative from Hershey, Pennsylvania, I have a 
unique remembrance of Wilton Norman Chamberlain.
  On the tragic occasion of his death we remember his awesome physical 
stature and stunning agility, his God given athletic prowess. 
Inevitably, we recall what is one of the greatest feats in all of 
sport: Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point game. Chamberlain's 100 point game, 
a record that will surely stand through the next millennium, took place 
on March 2, 1962, in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
  Wilt Chamberlain, a Philadelphia native, began his career with the 
Philadelphia Warriors in 1959. He remained loyal to his team for many 
years, and to people all over Pennsylvania, as evidenced by the game at 
Hershey. To his credit and the credit of the NBA, the value of bringing 
professional basketball to people in reaches otherwise untouched by the 
big city teams was well recognized.
  Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point game will be remembered as one of the 
greatest athletic accomplishments of all time. But it will be 
remembered by the people of Hershey for the great and imposing presence 
that left its impression there 37 years ago, and remains to this day.

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