[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15117]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWEST STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS: THE PITTSBURGH 
                                PENGUINS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, to borrow a catchphrase from Hall of Fame 
hockey announcer Mike Lange, ``You can buy Sam a drink and get his dog 
one, too, because Lord Stanley's Cup is making a return visit to the 
City of Champions.'' Pittsburgh now becomes the first city to ever be 
home to both the defending Super Bowl and Stanley Cup champions at the 
same time.
  This past Friday, the Pittsburgh Penguins won their third Stanley 
Cup, and they did it the hard way, by coming from behind on the road in 
game 7 of the finals against last year's champion Detroit Red Wings.
  Regular season scoring champion Evgeni Malkin won MVP honors by 
leading all playoff scorers, and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury once again 
proved he belonged among the game's elites with his dominating 
performance in net.
  Head Coach Dan Bylsma took over in midseason when the team was out of 
playoff contention and led them not only to the playoffs but to a 
championship. And in winning the title, Sidney Crosby became the 
youngest team captain to hoist the Stanley Cup in the 115-year history 
of the trophy.
  As in all successful organizations, the leadership of the Penguins 
starts at the top. The incomparable Mario Lemieux will now have his 
name engraved on the Cup for the third time, this time as team owner. 
Just as he did when he came into the league as a player, Mario Lemieux 
took control of a franchise threatened by bankruptcy and relocation. 
But from that, he built a championship team that leads the league in 
television ratings, merchandise sales, and sellouts.
  Yes, Madam Speaker, these Penguins can fly. Congratulations go out to 
the entire organization for completing the hat trick of champions, 
winning their third straight Stanley Cup. The 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins 
have earned their well-deserved place alongside the greatest sports 
legends in the City of Champions.

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