SENATE RESOLUTION 563--RECOGNIZING THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS ON THEIR 2010 NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP AND CONGRATULATING THE PLAYERS, COACHES, AND STAFF FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING...; Congressional Record Vol. 156, No. 95
(Senate - June 23, 2010)
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From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 563--RECOGNIZING THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS ON THEIR 2010
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP AND CONGRATULATING THE
PLAYERS, COACHES, AND STAFF FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS
Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mrs. Boxer) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:
S. Res. 563
Whereas on June 17, 2010, the Los Angeles Lakers won the
2010 National Basketball Association (NBA) Championship with
a 83-79 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the NBA
Finals;
Whereas during the 2010 NBA Playoffs, the Lakers defeated
the Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, and
Boston Celtics en route to the storied franchise's 16th
championship and 11th in Los Angeles;
Whereas the 2010 Lakers honored the franchise's tradition
of excellence that dates back to its establishment in 1947 in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the Lakers were named for the
``Land of 10,000 Lakes'' and won 5 championships before
moving to Los Angeles in 1960;
Whereas this marks the Lakers' 5th NBA championship since
1999, the most by any franchise during that period, and
matches the run by the ``Showtime'' Lakers of the 1980's that
featured Hall of Fame players Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy;
Whereas Phil Jackson has won more championships than any
other coach in NBA history, recording his 11th championship
this year and 5th with the Lakers;
Whereas the 2010 NBA Championship marks the 10th for the
Lakers owner Gerald Hatten Buss;
Whereas general manager Mitch Kupchak has built a team that
has exemplified the talent, character, and resilience
necessary to repeat as NBA Champions;
Whereas Kobe Bryant won his 5th NBA Championship, tying him
with Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson and Derek Fisher for the most
by a Lakers player;
Whereas Kobe Bryant averaged 28.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, and
3.9 assists during the NBA Finals, en route to winning his
2nd consecutive NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award and
becoming just the 8th player to win the award on multiple
occasions;
Whereas Ron Artest, whose hustle and defensive tenacity
were critical to the Lakers' win, recorded 20 points and 5
steals during Game 7 of the NBA Finals;
Whereas the frontcourt of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and
Lamar Odom played stifling defense and helped the Lakers out-
rebound the Celtics in the decisive Game 7;
Whereas Derek Fisher consistently showed toughness and
leadership and scored 16 critical points in Game 3 in Boston;
Whereas the Lakers bench scored 25 points in a pivotal Game
6, and players Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic,
Shannon Brown, Josh Powell, and DJ Mbenga all contributed to
the team's 2010 Championship;
Whereas the Lakers posted a record of 57-25 during the
regular season, the best record in the Western Conference and
3rd best in the NBA; and
Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers have demonstrated that they
are both champions on the court and in the community through
the team's involvement in charity and outreach programs
throughout the Southern California community: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the Senate recognizes and congratulates--
(1) the Los Angeles Lakers for winning the 2010 NBA Finals;
(2) the Boston Celtics for winning the NBA Eastern
Conference Championship and continuing a timeless rivalry;
and
(3) coach Phil Jackson for winning his record-setting 11th
championship.
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