[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22324]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 DETROIT SHOCK WIN WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, last night the Detroit Shock won the 
Women's National Basketball Association Championship, defeating the 
two-time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks 83-78. This tremendous 
accomplishment is all the more special because the Shock rose from the 
worst record in the league last year to champions this year.
  Over the course of this year's season, the Shock won a league-best 25 
games, a year after losing a league-worst 23 games. The Shock's victory 
is also the first time in the WNBA's 7-year history that neither 
Houston nor Los Angeles won the championship.
  The enthusiasm and support for the Shock by the people of Detroit and 
Michigan was clearly demonstrated by the fact that last night's game 
was attended by a WNBA record crowd of over 22,000 people.
  The Shock completed their incredible run from last to first with the 
leadership of Coach Bill Laimbeer, finals Most Valuable Player Ruth 
Riley's career-high 27-point performance, as well as the strong play of 
Swin Cash, who finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists. 
These performances were supported by Deanna Nolan's 17 points, and 
Rookie of the Year Cheryl Ford's 10 points and 11 rebounds.
  It was a tremendously exciting game throughout. The Los Angeles 
Sparks erased a 14-point deficit in the first half, and an 11-point 
deficit in the second half, and even had a 3-point lead with less than 
4 minutes to go. But with less than a minute left, Deanna Nolan, from 
Flint, MI, secured the Shock's lead when she hit a 3-point shot to give 
them a 75-73 lead. Then Cheryl Ford hit 2 free throws, and it was a 4-
point game with 43 seconds remaining. In the end, the Shock were 
victorious in what was the highest-scoring WNBA finals game in history.
  The 2003 WNBA champion Detroit Shock will celebrate its first-ever 
WNBA championship with fans tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills. This 
is Detroit's first professional basketball championship since our 
Pistons won back-to-back championships in 1988 and 1989. Shock Head 
Coach Bill Laimbeer was actually cocaptain of those Pistons teams, and 
in 1988 it was the Los Angeles Lakers--the Los Angeles Sparks' NBA 
counterparts--that Detroit defeated to win the championship.
  I know our colleagues will join me and Senator Stabenow in 
congratulating the Detroit Shock on their championship and looking 
forward to their drive to repeat next year.
  Mr. President, it is also my fervent hope that the Shock's worst-to-
first season will be an inspiration to the Detroit Tigers next year.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Hagel). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business.
  Mr. REID. Will the Senator withhold for just a brief minute?
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I withdraw my request.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Pennsylvania.

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