[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9525]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING TIM THOMAS ON WINNING NHL'S MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2011

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Stanley Cup 
winner, playoff MVP, Flint Native and Davison High School graduate Tim 
Thomas.
  Tim's road to the championship is a tale of perseverance and staying 
true to your dreams. Tim was born in my hometown of Flint, Michigan, 
graduating from high school in nearby Davison. From an early age, he 
dreamed of playing in the NHL as a goalie. His family was so supportive 
of his dreams, that his parents sold their wedding rings in order to 
pay for him to go to hockey camp.
  During his four years of college hockey at the University of Vermont, 
he was the 217th player drafted in 1994 and turned down an offer to 
play for the NHL's Quebec Nordiques. After graduation, he spent nine 
years playing for minor league teams in the United States, and for 
leagues in Canada and Finland. It seemed that his dream of playing in 
the NHL would not be realized.
  But finally, after years of perseverance he finally got the call to 
the big leagues, becoming a full-time goalie for the Boston Bruins in 
2005-2006 season. He continued his uphill battle to keep his place on 
the team, fighting through critics who wanted him traded and a hip 
injury that required surgery during the off season. But last night, he 
showed that all those years of hard work were worth it. Tim helped lead 
his team to playoff victory, blocking 37 shots to post his fourth 
shutout of the series. At the age of 37, Tim is only the fourth goalie 
in history to post a Game 7 shutout in the Stanley Cup finals.
  Tim's story is an inspiration to everyone who has been told that 
they're not good enough and who have struggled to achieve success. He 
is proof that if you work hard, greatness can be achieved and that 
dreams do come true.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
congratulating Tim Thomas for helping to lead the Boston Bruins to the 
Stanley Cup victory and winning the title of Most Valuable Player in 
the NHL.

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