[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 11418-11419]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  CONGRATULATING THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS ON WINNING THE 2000 NATIONAL 
                  BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 324, introduced 
earlier today by Senator Boxer and myself.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 324) to commend and congratulate the 
     Los Angeles Lakers for their outstanding drive, discipline, 
     and mastery in winning the 2000 National Basketball 
     Association Championship.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I join my distinguished colleague from 
California, Senator Barbara Boxer, in commending and congratulating the 
Los Angeles Lakers for their outstanding season which was culminated 
last night in winning the 2000 National Basketball Association 
Championship.
  Without a doubt, the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the finest 
franchises in the history of professional sports. In defeating a gritty 
and hard-nosed Indiana Pacers team last night, the Lakers captured 
their twelfth NBA Championship in the true spirit of their ``Showtime'' 
years.
  The Los Angeles Lakers are a true sporting dynasty. They are the 
second

[[Page 11419]]

winningest team in NBA history. Their record of 67-15, the best regular 
season record in the NBA's Eastern and Western Conference.
  Led by coach Phil Jackson, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant the 
Lakers are a formidable opponent. Shaquille O'Neal was named league 
Most Valuable Player, led the league in scoring and field goal 
percentage, won the IBM Award for greatest overall contribution to a 
team, and became just the sixth player in the game's history to be a 
unanimous selection to the All-NBA First team.
  Shaquille O'Neal also was named Most Valuable Player of the 2000 All 
Star game scoring 22 points and collecting 9 rebounds. And he also 
dominated the 2000 playoffs scoring 38 points per game in the NBA 
Finals on his way to winning the Most Valuable Player award.
  Another top player was the 21-year-old phenom, Kobe Bryant, who 
overcame injuries to average more than 22 points a game in the regular 
season and be named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Kobe Bryant's 
eight point performance in the overtime of game 4 led the Lakers to one 
of the most dramatic wins in playoff history.
  Coach Phil Jackson, winner of seven NBA Championship rings and a 
playoff winning percentage of .718, has proven to be one of the most 
innovative and adaptable coaches in the NBA.
  And when you add to this terrific trio and strong supporting cast--
including Glenn Rice, A.C. Green, Ron Harper, Robert Horry, Rick Fox, 
Derrick Fisher, Brian Shaw, Devean George, Tyronn Lue, John Celestand, 
Travis Knight, and John Salley--the recipe for a championship was 
written.
  I also congratulate team owner Dr. Jerry Buss, General Manager Jerry 
West and all the others who worked so hard to return the championship 
magic to the City of Angels. But most of all, I would like to 
congratulate the myriad of Lakers fans who have pulled for this team 
through it all.
  The 1999-2000 Los Angeles Lakers will go down in history with those 
legendary teams of the past. And we can add the names of Shaquille 
O'Neal and Kobe Bryan to the tapestry of Laker greats: George Mikan, 
Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and 
the incomparable Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson.
  These Lakers demonstrated immeasurable determination, heart, stamina, 
and an amazing comeback ability in their drive for the championship. 
They have made the City of Los Angeles and the State of California 
proud.
  The Los Angeles Lakers have started the 21st century meeting the high 
standards they established in the 20th century. In the years ahead, I 
have no doubt that this team will add numerous championship banners to 
the rafters of the Staples Center.
  Senator Boxer and I thought it would be fitting to offer this 
resolution today.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to salute the new reigning 
champions of the National Basketball Association--California's own Los 
Angeles Lakers.
  The tradition of greatness continues in Los Angeles. Building on the 
excellence personified by the likes of Jerry and Wilt the Silt, and 
later by Magic and Kareem, today's Lakers regained that status by 
players known around the world by two words: ``Kobe'' and ``Shaq.''
  What can you say about Shaquille O'Neal? He is the most dominating 
force in the game today. He was the most valuable player in the All-
Star Game, the regular season and the NBA finals.
  Kobe Bryant has that creative, slashing style that is pure 
excitement. The way he fought through tough injuries to spark the 
Lakers was an inspiration.
  And Mr. President, I would like to acknowledge the rest of the Lakers 
team. The steady hand and championship experience of Ron Harper was 
crucial. Robert Harry's stifling defense, strong rebounding and 
opportunistic scoring were key. Rick Fox, whose ten years' experience 
and clutch three-pointer in the waning moments of Game Six were 
invaluable. The persistent of Glenn Rice was matched only by the beauty 
of his jump shot. A.C. Green, who came back to the Lakers for this 
championship season, reminded us of his original ``Showtime'' days when 
he was running the wing with Magic and Worthy. And Brian Shaw and Derek 
Fisher made big shots and took care of the ball during minutes off the 
bench. What a team!
  Finally, the man who brought all of these elements together, is 
simply the best of all time--the man they call Zen master, coach Phil 
Jackson.
  The Lakers victories were made more special by the determination of 
their opponents. Larry Bird and the Indiana Pacers deserve the respect 
of basketball fans everywhere.
  Mr. President, on behalf of millions of adoring Angelenos, California 
and basketball fans everywhere congratulations to the 2000 World 
Champion Los Angeles Lakers.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and 
preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid upon 
the table, and that any statements related thereto be printed in the 
Record, with no intervening action.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 324) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 324

       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the greatest 
     sports franchises ever;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers have won 12 National 
     Basketball Association Championships;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers are the second winningest 
     team in National Basketball Association history;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers, at 67-15, posted the best 
     regular season record in the National Basketball Association;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers have fielded such superstars 
     as George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, 
     Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson, and now, 
     Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant;
       Whereas Shaquille O'Neal led the league in scoring and 
     field goal percentage on his way to winning the National 
     Basketball Association's Most Valuable Player award, winning 
     the IBM Award for greatest overall contribution to a team, 
     and becoming just the sixth player in the history of the game 
     to be a unanimous selection to the All-National Basketball 
     Association First Team;
       Whereas Shaquille O'Neal was named Most Valuable Player of 
     the 2000 All Star game, scoring 22 points and collecting 9 
     rebounds;
       Whereas Shaquille O'Neal dominated the 2000, playoffs 
     averaging 38 points per game and winning the Most Valuable 
     Player award in the National Basketball Association Finals;
       Whereas Kobe Bryant overcame injuries to average more than 
     22 points a game in the regular season and be named to the 
     National Basketball Association All-Defensive First Team;
       Whereas Kobe Bryant's 8-point performance in the overtime 
     of Game 4 led the Los Angeles Lakers to 1 of the most 
     dramatic wins in playoff history;
       Whereas Coach Phil Jackson, who has won 7 National 
     Basketball Association rings and the highest playoff winning 
     percentage in league history, has proven to be 1 of the most 
     innovative and adaptable coaches in the National Basketball 
     Association;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers epitomize Los Angeles pride 
     with their determination, heart, stamina, and amazing 
     comeback ability;
       Whereas the support of all the Los Angeles fans and the 
     people of California helped make winning the National 
     Basketball Association Championship possible; and
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers have started the 21st 
     century meeting the high standards they established in the 
     20th century: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States Senate congratulates the 
     Los Angeles Lakers on winning the 2000 National Basketball 
     Association Championship Title.

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