[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23667]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               A TRIBUTE TO THE 2005 SACRAMENTO MONARCHS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 25, 2005

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the 2005 Sacramento 
Monarchs, the deserving winners of the 2005 Women's National Basketball 
Association championship. The 2005 Monarchs successfully beat the 
Connecticut Sun three games to one in a thrilling best of five games 
series to be crowned WNBA royalty. By winning the 2005 WBNA 
championship series, the Sacramento Monarchs gave Sacramento its first 
national title in professional basketball. I ask all of my colleagues 
to join with me in saluting the triumphant 2005 Sacramento Monarchs.
  The 2005 Sacramento Monarchs were comprised of an outstanding blend 
of seasoned professionals with several years of WNBA experience under 
their belts, as well as young, talented recent college graduates. The 
team was led by Yolanda Griffith, a former WNBA MVP and four-time WNBA 
All-Star. During the regular season, Griffith averaged nearly fourteen 
points and over six rebounds a game. Against the Sun, when it mattered 
the most, she increased her averages to eighteen points and ten 
rebounds a game and was named Finals MVP.
  During the playoffs, point guard Ticha Penicheiro led the league in 
assists, and averaged five a game throughout the Monarchs' playoff run. 
She was recently recognized in her hometown of Figueira da Foz, 
Portugal, with the ``Medalha de Honra ao Merito Desportivo,'' a medal 
honoring her outstanding achievement in the WNBA.
  In addition, the 2005 WNBA Championship team was assisted by the 
contributions of many other great players including Olympia Scott-
Richardson, DeMya Walker, Kara Lawson, Rebekkah Brunson, and Nicole 
Powell. All of these Monarchs proved themselves to be among the best in 
the entire league. Whether a veteran or a recent addition, every member 
of the championship team demonstrated excellent team work, dedication, 
and integrity as they fought their way to win the title. Later this 
month, the entire team will find themselves on supermarket shelves 
across the country, as they will be the first WNBA team featured on a 
Wheaties box.
  Besides having an extremely talented roster, the Monarchs could not 
have gone as far as they did without the commitment of a great coaching 
staff and an uncompromising leadership team in the front office. On the 
bench, head coach John Whisenant and his able assistant coaches Tom 
Abatemarco, Steve Shuman, and Monique Ambers each contributed countless 
hours of film watching, strategizing, and coaching to transform the 
Monarchs into champions.
  In the front office, the Monarchs are led by the ownership of the 
Maloof Family and the astute management of team president John Thomas. 
Under the Maloofs, the Sacramento Monarchs have taken great steps to 
gain a widespread following among area fans. Given the team's 
commitment to their fans, it is no wonder that Sacramento fans are so 
loyal to their professional sports teams. In September, over 3,000 fans 
cheered the Monarchs on as they paraded through downtown Sacramento 
with the WNBA championship trophy.
  Mr. Speaker, as the Sacramento Monarchs revel in their most 
successful season in their nine year history and prepare for another 
outstanding season, I am honored to pay tribute to the many hardworking 
women and men of the Monarchs' franchise. Over the past few months, 
they have brought so much joy and civic pride to the city of 
Sacramento. Their success and loyal following is truly a testament to 
the ever increasing importance of women's professional sports, and it 
is a great honor for me to have the opportunity to commend them on 
their accomplishments. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in 
congratulating the Sacramento Monarchs on a memorable season and 
wishing them continued success in the future.

                          ____________________