[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 17817-17818]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE DETROIT SHOCK ON WINNING THE 2006 WOMEN'S NATIONAL 
                  BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 567, which was 
submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 567) honoring the Detroit Shock on 
     winning the 2006 Women's National Basketball Association 
     Championship.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded 
to consider the resolution.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, Saturday, September 9, 2006, was a great 
day for the Detroit Shock and for the people of Michigan. A crowd of 
over 19,600 at the Joe Louis Arena joined with the rest of Michigan in 
celebrating the Shock's second championship win and a tense victory in 
the fifth game against the reigning champions, the Sacramento Monarchs.
  In 2003, when the Detroit Shock came back after a difficult 2002 
season to win the championship, it was the first time in the 7-year 
history of the WNBA that the championship title was taken by a team 
other than Houston or Los Angeles.
  The finals were tense, as the Shock started off with a loss at the 
Palace of Auburn Hills, in Michigan on August 30, which they followed 
up with a 73 to 63 win on Friday, September 1. As the finals moved to 
the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California, the Shock suffered another 
loss in the third game. With strength and courage, the Shock beat the 
Monarchs 72 to 52 in an away win on Wednesday, September 6. With one 
game left to go, and the prospect of overtaking the WNBA reigning 
champion, the Shock moved into the Joe Louis Arena for the last game of 
the finals.
  The heat was on as the Sacramento Monarchs led for the first half of 
the game and went into halftime with a 44 to 36 lead over the Shock. In 
the beginning of the second half, Deanna Nolan led the Shock to an 18 
to 3 scoring run that put the Shock ahead for the rest of the game. The 
final two points were scored in the last seconds of the game by Katie 
Smith, with a 17-foot jump shot that made the Detroit Shock one of the 
very few teams to have achieved multiple championships in the WNBA.
  The win over the Monarchs in the deciding game showcased the 
spectacular performances of the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 WNBA 
Finals, Deanna Nolan, who, with a total of 24 points, led the game in 
points scored; Cheryl Ford, who led the game in rebounds, recovered 10 
rebounds in addition to scoring 10 points; Katie Smith, who scored 17 
points; and the rest of the Shock teammates.
  Each member of the Detroit Shock organization made meaningful 
contributions to the team's success, including players Jacqueline 
Batteast, Kara Braxton, Swin Cash, Cheryl Ford, Kedra Holland-Corn, 
Deanna Nolan, Plenette Pierson, Elaine Powell, Ruth Riley, Katie Smith, 
and Angelina Williams, as well as the Head Coach, Bill Laimbeer, 
Assistant Coaches Cheryl Reeve and Rick Mahorn, Athletic Trainer Mike 
Perkins, and the owner of the Detroit Shock, Bill Davidson.
  This championship win marks the fourth professional basketball title 
for Head Coach Bill Laimbeer, including two as coach of the Detroit 
Shock and two as a player for the Detroit Pistons. This is the fifth 
championship title for Detroit Shock owner Bill Davidson's Detroit 
teams.
  I know that my colleagues will join me and Senator Stabenow in 
congratulating the Detroit Shock on another spectacular championship 
win, and I know that the Shock will continue to be a source of pride 
for the people of the City of Detroit and throughout the whole State of 
Michigan.
  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise today to commend the Detroit 
Shock on winning the 2006 Women's National Basketball Association 
Championship.
  On Saturday, September 9, 2006, the Detroit Shock won their second 
WNBA Championship by defeating the defending champion Sacramento 
Monarchs by a score of 80 to 75.
  The Detroit Shock were able to celebrate the tenth year of the WNBA 
with an inspiring victory in the fifth game of the finals and secured 
their second championship in four years.
  The attendance for game 5 at the Joe Louis Arena was over 19,600 
people. The enthusiasm shown by the people of Michigan clearly 
demonstrate Michigan's strong support for the Detroit Shock 
organization and the determined effort of all of its players.

[[Page 17818]]

  The Shock completed an incredible season! It was capped by 
spectacular performances in the deciding game by the WNBA Finals Most 
Valuable Player, Deanna Nolan, who scored a game high 24 points. Cheryl 
Ford, who had a game high 10 rebounds, in addition to scoring 10 
points; and Katie Smith also contributed 17 points.
  Head Coach Bill Laimbeer has now won four professional basketball 
titles, including two as coach of the Detroit Shock and two as a player 
for the Detroit Pistons. And the Detroit Shock owner Bill Davidson's 
Detroit. teams have won five championship titles, including three 
Pistons' Titles.
  The Shock demonstrated superior strength, skill, and perseverance 
during the 2006 season and have made the City of Detroit and the entire 
State of Michigan proud.
  I congratulate the Detroit Shock on winning the 2006 WNBA 
Championship and recognize all the players, coaches, staff, fans, and 
others who were instrumental in this great achievement.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be 
laid on the table, and any statements related thereto be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution, (S. Res 567) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolutions with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 567

       Whereas, on Saturday, September 9, 2006, the Detroit Shock 
     won the 2006 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) 
     Championship by defeating the defending champion Sacramento 
     Monarchs by a score of 80 to 75;
       Whereas the Detroit Shock triumphed in 5 highly competitive 
     championship games, going into the final championship game 
     with 1 win and 1 loss in Michigan and 1 win and 1 loss in 
     California;
       Whereas the Detroit Shock were able to celebrate the tenth 
     year of the WNBA and the eighth year of the Detroit Shock 
     with an inspiring victory in the fifth championship game that 
     secured their second WNBA championship in 4 years;
       Whereas the attendance at the final championship game at 
     the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, of over 19,600 
     people and the enthusiasm shown by the people of Michigan 
     clearly demonstrate Michigan's strong support for the Detroit 
     Shock organization and the determined effort of all the 
     team's players;
       Whereas the Detroit Shock completed an incredible season, 
     capped by spectacular performances in the final championship 
     game by the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 WNBA Finals, 
     Deanna Nolan, who, with a total of 24 points, led the game in 
     points scored, Cheryl Ford, who led the game in rebounds, 
     recovering 10 rebounds in addition to scoring 10 points, and 
     Katie Smith, who scored 17 points;
       Whereas each member of the Detroit Shock organization made 
     meaningful contributions to the team's success, including 
     players Jacqueline Batteast, Kara Braxton, Swin Cash, Cheryl 
     Ford, Kedra Holland-Corn, Deanna Nolan, Plenette Pierson, 
     Elaine Powell, Ruth Riley, Katie Smith, and Angelina 
     Williams, Head Coach Bill Laimbeer, Assistant Coaches Cheryl 
     Reeve and Rick Mahorn, Athletic Trainer Mike Perkins, and the 
     owner of the Detroit Shock, Bill Davidson;
       Whereas Detroit Shock Head Coach Bill Laimbeer has won 4 
     professional basketball titles, including 2 as the coach of 
     the Detroit Shock and 2 as a player for the Detroit Pistons;
       Whereas Detroit Shock owner Bill Davidson's 2 Detroit 
     basketball teams have won 5 championship titles; and
       Whereas the Detroit Shock demonstrated superior strength, 
     skill, and perseverance during the 2006 season and have made 
     the City of Detroit and the entire State of Michigan proud: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Detroit Shock on winning the 2006 
     Women's National Basketball Association Championship and 
     recognizes all the players, coaches, staff, fans, and others 
     who were instrumental in this great achievement; and
       (2) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an 
     enrolled copy of this resolution to the Detroit Shock for 
     appropriate display.

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