[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 24972]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1500
          MEMBERS DEFEATED BY LOBBYISTS IN ``HOOPS FOR HOPE''

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Hulshof) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HULSHOF. I have to admit, Mr. Speaker, that it is with 
conflicting emotion that I rise, as is my custom, to report on the 
annual Hoops for Hope basketball game, an intense athletic contest 
between Members of Congress and representatives of the lobbying 
community.
  Normally, I'm accompanied with a handsome trophy indicating the 
success of our athletic endeavors. In fact, seven times out of the last 
9 years said hardware has joined me here at the table. Alas, I will 
admit the absence of said hardware suggests the outcome of last Monday 
night's game. The lobbyists defeated the Members team 45-36.
  Now, some point out that the enhanced lobbying disclosure rules that 
have been passed are to blame in that we were unable to utilize secret 
plays. I often point out that the universe from which the teams are 
drawn, the universe of lobbyists, of course numbers in the thousands, 
indeed the tens of thousands from which they can draw their athletic 
team whereas we, on the other hand, are limited by a finite number of 
535.
  One observer of the game wryly noted that he hoped the Members of 
Congress team were current on their dues to the local bricklayers union 
in that, shall we say, our shooting percentage was not that good.
  The bright spot, however, as is the case every year, is that 
significant funds were raised for local charities. Indeed, last Monday 
night's event at the Smith Center, on the campus of George Washington 
University, raised over $60,000, bringing the cumulative total of funds 
for local charities to over $300,000 over the life of this very 
spirited but worthwhile contest.
  Specifically, the local charities this year included Horton's Kids 
and the Luke Tiahrt Foundation, as well as Saint Anthony's. Before the 
game, many of the children actually served by those funds were in 
attendance. So it was great to see the recipients of those charitable 
efforts being there and participating in that contest.
  A couple of quick thanks: As always, George Washington University was 
extraordinary in their hospitality in providing the gymnasium of the 
Smith Center. We had celebrity coaches. Coach John Thompson, III, 
Georgetown University's basketball coach, was the Members of Congress's 
coach. He didn't have a lot to work with, unfortunately, last Monday 
night. We are checking with the NCAA to make sure that that blemish is 
not going to be included in this year's Georgetown record. On the other 
side of the court was Coach Karl Hobbs from George Washington 
University. Again, we appreciate the unselfishness of both Coach 
Thompson and Coach Hobbs.
  I also want to acknowledge, I am not sure they want their names 
mentioned necessarily, but my colleagues, Mr. Tiahrt of Kansas, Mr. 
Larsen of the State of Washington, Mr. Kind of Wisconsin, Mr. Flake of 
Arizona, Mr. Thune from the other side of the Capitol from South 
Dakota, Mr. Meek of Florida, and Mr. Crowley of New York, again, gave 
it our best. But we fell short. But as they always say, there is next 
year.
  So, finally, with apologies to Mr. Longfellow, I would conclude by 
saying:

     Somewhere in this favored land
     The sun is shining bright.
     The band is playing somewhere
     And somewhere hearts are light.
     Somewhere men are laughing,
     Somewhere children play.
     But there is no joy in Washington,
     The lobbyists won the day.

  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________