[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9046]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE 2011 NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONS, THE 
                            DALLAS MAVERICKS

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 13, 2011

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize the Dallas Mavericks, on winning the 2011 National Basketball 
Association Championship. This is the organization's first NBA World 
Championship title.
  I congratulate team owner Mark Cuban, Coach Rick Carlisle, his staff, 
and the entire Maverick organization for their accomplishment in 
winning basketball's coveted Larry O'Brien championship trophy.
  I also congratulate the team's captain, Dirk Nowitzki, on being named 
the recipient of the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player 
Award.
  The Maverick's success is a result of contributions by the entire 
team, including players Jose Barea, Rodrigue Beaubois, Corey Brewer, 
Caron Butler, Brian Cardinal, Tyson Chandler, Brendan Haywood, 
Dominique Jones, Jason Kidd, Ian Mahinmi, Shawn Marion, DeShawn 
Stevenson, Peja Stojakovic, and Jason Terry; head coach Rick Carlisle, 
and assistant coaches Terry Stotts, Dwane Casey, Darrell Armstrong, 
Monte Mathis and Robert Hackett, head athletic trainer Casey Smith, and 
assistant trainer Dionne Calhoun, led the Mavericks to their first NBA 
championship by stressing teamwork and determination.
  The Mavericks have such a loyal following not only because they are 
champions on the court, but because they are champions in the community 
as well. The Dallas Mavericks possess a strong sense of social 
responsibility, acknowledging that a community is only as strong as its 
weakest link. The team displays a strong commitment to the community 
through its foundation. The Dallas Mavericks Foundation is dedicated to 
inspiring and motivating youth to take their education seriously, 
strive for healthy bodies and minds, become involved in community 
service activities, set personal goals, visualize their dreams and take 
responsibility for their own lives and neighborhoods.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating each 
member of the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks for their many 
victories on the court and in the community. They are champions to 
their sports fans, to beneficiaries of their Foundation, and to the 
entire Dallas community. We thank them for bringing the NBA 
championship trophy where it belongs--the American Airlines Center 
located in the heart of the 30th Congressional District of Texas.

                          ____________________