IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1625 

Supporting the recognition of ‘‘World Basketball Day’’, celebrated globally 

on December 21 each year, and honoring the contributions of basketball 

to global unity, international sports diplomacy, and the transformative 

impact of the sport on communities across the world. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

DECEMBER 19, 2024 

Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia (for herself, Mr. MOORE of Utah, Mr. NEAL, Mr. 

CISCOMANI, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. CARSON, Mr. CARTER of Louisiana, Mrs. CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK, Mr. CLEAVER, Mr. ESPAILLAT, 

Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE, Mr. STANTON, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Ms. 

TITUS, Mr. VEASEY, and Ms. SCHOLTEN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the recognition of ‘‘World Basketball Day’’, celebrated globally on December 21 each year, and honoring 

the contributions of basketball to global unity, international sports diplomacy, and the transformative impact 

of the sport on communities across the world. 

Whereas basketball is a sport enjoyed by millions of people 

across the globe, uniting individuals from diverse cultures 

and backgrounds through a shared love of athleticism 

and teamwork; 


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•HRES 1625 IH 

Whereas the game of basketball is a key element of North 

American sporting heritage, having been invented in 

Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891, by James Naismith, 

a Canadian-American educator, physician, and chaplain; 

Whereas, on August 25, 2023, the United Nations General 

Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming December 21 

annually as World Basketball Day; 

Whereas World Basketball Day provides an opportunity to 

reflect on the role basketball plays in fostering sportsmanship and mutual respect, transcending cultural differences; 

Whereas the United States has been a central hub in the development and global spread of basketball, which has enriched both domestic and international communities and 

influenced countless lives through programs, professional 

leagues, and community engagement initiatives; 

Whereas more than 585,000,000 people worldwide play basketball annually; 

Whereas a record-tying 125 international players from a 

record-tying 43 countries across 6 continents were on 

National Basketball Association (NBA) opening-night 

rosters for the 2024–2025 season, showcasing the growth 

and success of basketball across the world; 

Whereas three international players, Joel Embiid, Nikola 

Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, have combined to 

win the last 6 NBA Most Valuable Player awards; 

Whereas, since 1978, the NBA has played more than 215 

games in more than 20 countries outside the United 

States and Canada; 

Whereas the Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, 

Massachusetts, has been a beacon for recognizing the 


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sport’s greatest contributors, and the work of the basketball community continues to inspire young people to excel 

both on and off the court; 

Whereas basketball and basketball players have served as a 

forum and ambassadors for cross-cultural understanding 

and humanitarian cooperation; and 

Whereas Dikembe Mutombo, former NBA player and global 

humanitarian, has served as an exemplary figure in using 

basketball as a platform to promote peace, education, and 

health care, particularly through his work in his native 

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the recognition of World Basket3 ball Day, celebrating the values of teamwork, sports4 manship, and unity fostered through basketball; 

5 (2) commends the efforts of athletes, organiza6 tions, and individuals who have contributed to the 

7 advancement of basketball as a vehicle for positive 

8 change in communities around the world; 

9 (3) honors the contributions of Dikembe 

10 Mutombo, and others like him, who have used their 

11 platform to further humanitarian causes and foster 

12 peace through the universal language of basketball; 

13 and 

14 (4) encourages the continued growth of basket15 ball programs, at home and abroad, that create 


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1 pathways for the next generation of leaders, drive 

2 upward opportunities, and build upstanding citizens. 

Æ 


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