[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 12747]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           PISTONS WIN IT ALL

  (Mr. SMITH of Michigan asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Chauncy Billups, Tayshaun Prince, Big Ben 
Wallace, Richard ``Rip'' Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, Corliss Williamson, 
Mehmet Okur, Lindsey Hunter, Elden Campbell, Darvin Ham, Mike James, 
Darko Milicic.
  Mr. Speaker, these are the names of the Pistons. I would like to 
congratulate the Detroit Pistons for bringing the NBA championship back 
to the east, back to Motown, and back to the State of Michigan.
  It seemed like no one believed in the Pistons, no one gave them a 
chance against the Laker team that had been really tailor-made to win 
the title.
  Well, true fans believed, and our beloved team did not disappoint. 
The Pistons played hard every minute. They found every loose ball, 
controlled the offensive boards, and kept beating the Lakers down the 
floor. They never stopped coming and never stopped going for it. The 
Pistons had a whole team of role models. They had chemistry, coaching, 
spirit, determination, you name it. Detroit's defense was more dominant 
than any single player, and they are worthy of champions. They played 
as a team and won as a team and set a good example for all of us. Years 
from now, true Piston fans are going to remember this magical journey.

                          ____________________