[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19370]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        COMMENDING DETROIT SHOCK

  Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, this afternoon, I had the pleasure of 
joining President Obama on the South Portico of the White House for a 
ceremony to honor the Detroit Shock on winning the 2008 WNBA 
championship. This is the third WNBA Championship in 6 years for the 
Shock, an outstanding accomplishment for the WNBA's first expansion 
franchise and one in which many across the State of Michigan take great 
pride. As one of only two teams to win three or more championships in 
the league history, the Detroit Shock is clearly a part of an elite 
group in the WNBA.
  The Shock completed a hard fought title run with a three game sweep 
of the San Antonio Silver Stars, capped by a 76-60 victory in the final 
game before an elated home crowd. Those in attendance, as well as those 
in Detroit and across Michigan, were pleased with the poised 
performance of this veteran team. Through persistence, perseverance and 
hard work, this team defeated two quality opponents, the Indiana Fever 
and the New York Liberty, en route to earning a spot in the WNBA 
finals.
  Led by the determined play of Katie Smith, the Shock maintained their 
focus throughout a grueling regular season and their ensuing march 
toward the 2008 WNBA title. Katie Smith averaged 21.7 points per game 
in the finals and won the 2008 WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player award.
  This championship win was yet another milestone in the storied career 
of head coach Bill Laimbeer, who was at the helm of each of the Shock's 
championship runs. He has amassed a total of five professional 
basketball titles, which includes two as a player for the Detroit 
Pistons. This was also the sixth championship for Detroit Shock owner 
Bill Davidson's Detroit sports teams. Fortunately, he was able to enjoy 
this championship before his recent death in March.
  Each member of the Detroit Shock organization made valuable 
contributions through the season and during this memorable championship 
run, including Kara Braxton, Cheryl Ford, Alexis Hornbuckle, Taj 
Mcwilliams-Franklin, Deanna Nolan, Plenette Pierson, Elaine Powell, 
Sheri Sam, Olayinka Sanni, Kelly Schumacher, Ashley Shields, and Katie 
Smith, as well as head coach, Bill Laimbeer, and assistant coaches Rick 
Mahorn, Cheryl Reeve, and Laura Ramus. I know my colleagues join me in 
congratulating the Detroit Shock on their third championship in 
franchise history. The people of Michigan look forward to witnessing 
the Shock continue to build on this success in the years ahead.

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