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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 596 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 596

    Congratulating the Boston Celtics on winning the 2008 National 
                  Basketball Association Championship.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 19, 2008

Mr. Kerry (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Reed, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Dodd, 
  Mr. Sununu, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Gregg) submitted the 
   following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
                               Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
    Congratulating the Boston Celtics on winning the 2008 National 
                  Basketball Association Championship.

Whereas, on June 17, 2008, the Boston Celtics won the 2008 National Basketball 
        Association Championship (referred to in this preamble as the ``2008 
        Championship'') in 6 games over the Los Angeles Lakers;
Whereas the 2008 Championship was the 17th world championship won by the 
        Celtics, the most in the history of the National Basketball Association 
        (referred to in this preamble as the ``NBA'');
Whereas the 2008 Championship marked the culmination of the greatest single 
        season turnaround in the history of the NBA, as the Celtics improved 
        from a record of 24-58 during the 2007-2008 season to a league-best 66-
        16 mark during the 2007-2008 campaign;
Whereas the 2008 Celtics NBA Championship team, like all great Celtics champions 
        of the past, epitomized team work, selflessness, character, effort, 
        camaraderie, toughness, and determination;
Whereas the 2008 Celtics honored the rich legacy of their franchise, which was--

    (1) established by a legion of all-time greats, including Bill Russell, 
Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones, 
Jo Jo White, Dave Cowens, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, and 
Tom ``Satch'' Sanders; and

    (2) masterminded by one of the legendary coaches of all sports, Arnold 
``Red'' Auerbach;

Whereas Celtics managing partner Wyc Grousbeck and the entire Celtics ownership 
        group never wavered from paying the price to raise ``Banner #17'' to the 
        Garden rafters;
Whereas the 2008 Celtics were brought together by a former Celtics player, Danny 
        Ainge, whose off-season acquisitions of NBA All-Stars Kevin Garnett and 
        Ray Allen earned him the 2008 NBA Executive of the Year Award;
Whereas the Celtics were led by Doc Rivers, who--

    (1) oversaw the smooth integration of new superstars and untested young 
players into the Celtics lineup; and

    (2) assembled, and ensured the execution of, a masterful NBA Finals 
game plan;

Whereas the Celtics featured a 21st century ``Big Three'' comprised of Paul 
        Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, 3 veteran players who worked 
        together and never allowed their personal ambition or pursuit of 
        individual statistics to interfere with the goal of the team to win a 
        championship;
Whereas a group of talented young players contributed pivotal roles in the march 
        of the Celtics to the 2008 Championship, including point guard Rajon 
        Rondo, center Kendrick Perkins, forward Leon Powe, guard Tony Allen, and 
        forward Glen ``Big Baby'' Davis;
Whereas the valuable bench of the Celtics was stocked with veteran role players 
        who made significant contributions during the season, including forward 
        James Posey, guard Eddie House, guard Sam Cassell, forward P.J. Brown, 
        forward Brian Scalabrine, and center Scott Pollard;
Whereas the 2008 Celtics team demonstrated remarkable poise and gained 
        invaluable playoff experience in defeating the Atlanta Hawks, the 
        Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Detroit Pistons in hard-fought series 
        during which every possession counted at both the offensive and 
        defensive ends of the floor;
Whereas, after 26 playoff games, the Celtics ultimately secured the 17th NBA 
        Championship of the franchise in one of the most dominating performances 
        in NBA history, a 39-point rout of the Lakers in front of a raucous 
        Garden crowd; and
Whereas the Celtics fans in the State of Massachusetts, in New England, and 
        throughout the world never gave up hope that the franchise would someday 
        return to glory and give a new generation of Celtics fans the 
        opportunity to celebrate a championship: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) congratulates--
                    (A) the Boston Celtics for winning the 2008 
                National Basketball Association Championship, including 
                the players, head coach, coaches, support staff, and 
                team owners and executives whose ability, hard work, 
                dedication, and spirit made the season possible; and
                    (B) the Los Angeles Lakers for their success during 
                the 2008 season and winning the National Basketball 
                Association Western Conference Championship; and
            (2) directs the Enrolling Clerk of the Senate to transmit 
        an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
                    (A) the 2008 Boston Celtics team;
                    (B) Celtics head coach Doc Rivers;
                    (C) Celtics general manager Danny Ainge; and
                    (D) Celtics managing partner Wyc Grousbeck.
                                 <all>
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