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III

105TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. RES. 103

To congratulate the Chicago Bulls on winning the 1997 National Basketball

Association Championship and proving themselves to be one of the best

teams in NBA history.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

JUNE 25, 1997

Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN (for herself and Mr. DURBIN) submitted the following

resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

To congratulate the Chicago Bulls on winning the 1997

National Basketball Association Championship and proving themselves to be one of the best teams in NBA

history.

Whereas the Chicago Bulls at 69–13, posted the second best

regular season record in the history of the National Basketball Association;

Whereas the Bulls once again roared through the playoffs,

sweeping the Washington Bullets and defeating the Atlanta Hawks in 5 games, before beating the Miami Heat

in 5 games to return to the NBA Finals for the second

straight year;

Whereas the Bulls displayed a potent offense and stifling defense throughout the playoffs before beating the Utah
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Jazz to win their second consecutive NBA championship,

their fifth in the last 7 years;

Whereas head coach Phil Jackson and the entire coaching

staff skillfully led the Bulls through a 69-win season and

a 15–4 playoff run;

Whereas Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were again

named to the NBA’s ‘‘All-Defensive First Team’’, the

only 2 players from the same team to be so named, and

were each voted to be among the 50 greatest players in

NBA history;

Whereas Michael Jordan won his record ninth scoring title,

is the sixth leading scorer in NBA history, and was

named playoff most valuable player for the fifth time in

5 playoff appearances;

Whereas Scottie Pippen again exhibited his outstanding offensive and defensive versatility, proving himself to be

one of the best all-around players in the NBA;

Whereas the quickness, tireless defensive effort, and

athleticism of the colorful Dennis Rodman, who won his

sixth straight rebounding title, keyed a strong Bulls front

line;

Whereas veteran guard Ron Harper, in shutting down many

of the league’s top point guards throughout the playoffs,

demonstrated the defensive skills that have made him a

cornerstone of the league’s best defense;

Whereas center Luc Longley frustrated many of the all-star

caliber centers that he faced in this year’s playoffs while

at times providing a much needed scoring lift;

Whereas Toni Kukoc, despite injury, displayed his awesome

variety of offensive skills in both assisting on, and hitting, several big shots when the Bulls needed them most;
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Whereas Steve Kerr, with his laser-like 3-point shooting,

sparked many a Bulls rally and hit the championship

winning shot in game 6 of the NBA finals;

Whereas the outstanding play of Brian Williams and Jason

Caffey, and the tenacious defense of Randy Brown, each

of whom came off the bench to provide valuable contributions, were an important part of each Bulls victory;

Whereas Jud Buechler and Robert Parish provided valuable

contributions throughout the season and the playoffs,

both on and off the court, at times giving the Bulls the

emotional lift they needed; and

Whereas the regular season contributions of injured center

Bill Wennington, forward Dickey Simpkins, and rookie

Matt Steigenga, both on the court and in practice, again

demonstrated the total devotion of Bulls personnel to the

team concept that has made the Bulls one of the great

sports dynasties of modern times: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate congratulates the Chicago

Bulls on winning the 1997 National Basketball Association

championship.

Æ