[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11017]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 11017]]

                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 113--CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS ON 
 THEIR SECOND CONSECUTIVE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 113

       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers are the undisputed 2001 
     National Basketball Association champions and thus champions 
     of the world;
       Whereas this is the second consecutive season that the Los 
     Angeles Lakers have won the National Basketball Association 
     championship;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers are one of America's 
     preeminent sports franchises and have won their 13th NBA 
     Championship.
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers sealed their second 
     consecutive championship with the best playoff record in the 
     history of the National Basketball Association, and became 
     the first team to go through the playoffs undefeated on the 
     road;
       Whereas this exceptionally gifted team is guided by Phil 
     Jackson, one of the most successful coaches in the history of 
     professional basketball, who led the Lakers to victory in 23 
     of their last 24 games;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers' 2001 National Basketball 
     Association championship was characterized by a remarkable 
     team effort, led by the series Most Valuable Player Shaquille 
     O'Neal; and
       Whereas it is appropriate and fitting to now offer these 
     athletes and their coach the attention and accolades they 
     have earned: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate congratulates the entire 2001 Los 
     Angeles team and its coach Phil Jackson for their remarkable 
     achievement, and their drive, discipline, and dominance.

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, last Friday, as millions of Americans and 
basketball fans around the world watched on television and listened on 
the radio, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers to 
become the 2001 National Basketball Association champions.
  This is the second consecutive year that the Lakers have won the NBA 
championship.
  No team has ever enjoyed a post-season quite like the Lakers. They 
clinched the championship in five games, finishing the playoffs with a 
record of 15-1--the best ever. They were also the first team to go 
through the playoffs without losing a single game on the road.
  Throughout the playoffs and championship series, one player in 
particular came to symbolize the Lakers' march to victory: The Big 
Man--Shaquille O'Neal. Because of his sterling play and leadership, 
Shaquille O'Neal was named Most Valuable Player for the series. O'Neal, 
of course, benefitted from a sterling supporting cast that included 
Kobe Bryant, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher, Robert Horry and others.
  Indeed, Mr. President, this year's championship was truly a team 
effort.
  While the lion's share of the credit for their remarkable victory 
goes to the players themselves, I also want to acknowledge the 
outstanding coaching staff led by head coach Phil Jackson. This is 
Coach Jackson's eighth NBA title and his second with the Lakers.
  I think it is safe to say that these Los Angeles Lakers are a 
basketball dynasty-in-the-making, and I am delighted to introduce this 
resolution acknowledging their efforts and congratulating the Lakers 
and their fans in California and around the world.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate the Los 
Angeles Lakers for winning the National Basketball Association 
championship for a second year in a row.
  The Lakers overcame internal conflict and numerous injuries to go on 
to a remarkable season.
  They put together a remarkable string of victories at the end of the 
season to bring home another World Championship to the City of Los 
Angeles, winning 23 out of 24 of their final games and going 15 and 1 
in the playoffs--the best playoff record ever.
  This Lakers team demonstrated what it truly means to be a champion 
and represents the best of what the city of Los Angeles has to offer.
  Led by the inspired play of Shaquille O'Neal and the coaching of Phil 
Jackson, the Lakers swept through the opening three rounds of the 
playoffs--easily defeating the talented Portland Trailblazers, 
Sacramento Kings, and San Antonio Spurs.
  In the final round, the Lakers faced a gritty Philadelphia 76ers team 
led by the incomparable Allen Iverson. Iverson and the Sixers showed 
tremendous determination and heart, handing an overtime defeat to the 
Lakers in the first game of the series.
  But as the series moved on, the Lakers outmatched the Sixers and 
proved, once again, that they were the best team in professional 
basketball.
  This was truly a team effort: Shaquille O'Neal, the series Most 
Valuable Player, dominated the Sixers on both ends of the floor, 
averaging 33 points per game, 15.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 3.4 
blocks in the final series.
  With his unselfish play, Kobe Bryant provided the spark for the 
offense--in game four, for instance, he scored 19 points, had 10 
assists, and had 9 rebounds.
  Derek Fisher, Rick Fox, Robert Horry and Brian Shaw made significant 
contributions to the championship--each cooly made three point shots at 
critical points in the series.
  Horace Grant and Ron Harper provided the veteran experience that 
helped the Lakers push back the 4th quarter surges of the Sixers.
  And finally, Tyronn Lue, deserves honorable mention for his dogged 
defense against Allen Iverson, especially in Game 1. Without his play, 
the Lakers would have been unable to contain the speedy Sixer guard.
  Once again let me congratulate the Los Angeles Lakers for their 
victory. It was a great effort by a tremendous team.
  I look forward to another winning season next year.

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