III

104TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. RES. 266

To congratulate the Chicago Bulls on winning the 1996 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 18, 1996

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

resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

To congratulate the Chicago Bulls on winning the 1996

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

history.

Whereas the Chicago Bulls at 72–10, posted the best regular

season record in the history of the National Basketball

Association;

Whereas the Bulls roared through the playoffs, sweeping the

Miami Heat and defeating the New York Knicks in five

games, before sweeping the Orlando Magic to return to

the NBA Finals for the first time in two years;

Whereas the Bulls displayed a potent offense, and what some

consider to be their best defense ever, throughout the
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playoffs before beating the Seattle Supersonics to win

their fourth franchise NBA championship;

Whereas head coach Phil Jackson, who won his first Coach

of the Year award, and the entire coaching staff skillfully

led the Bulls through a record 72-win season and a 15–

3 playoff run;

Whereas Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman all were named to the NBA’s ‘‘All-Defensive Team’’,

the first time in 13 years that three players from the

same team have been so named;

Whereas Michael Jordan, in his first full season after coming

out of retirement, won his record eighth scoring title, his

fourth Most Valuable Player award, and was again

named playoff most valuable player (for the fourth time);

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

fifth straight rebounding title, keyed a Bulls front line

that lead the league in rebounding;

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, winner of the league’s ‘‘Sixth Man’’

award, displayed his awesome variety of offensive skills in
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•SRES 266 IS

both assisting on, and hitting, several big shots when the

Bulls needed them most;

Whereas the laser-like three-point shooting of career threepoint field goal percentage leader Steve Kerr sparked

many a Bulls rally;

Whereas the outstanding shooting of Jud Buechler and Bill

Wennington, 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 John Salley and James Edwards 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 second year forward Dickey Simpkins and rookie forward Jason Caffey,

and the constant emotional lift provided by the injured

Jack Haley, both on the court and in practice, again

demonstrated the total devotion of Bulls personnel to the

team concept that has made the Bulls into one of the

most devastating basketball forces of modern times: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the Senate congratulates the Chicago

2 Bulls on winning the 1996 National Basketball Associa3 tion championship.

Æ