Title: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of William Robert "Bobby" "Slick" Leonard.
Policy area: Sports and Recreation

Summary:
This resolution honors the life and legacy of William Robert "Bobby" "Slick" Leonard and his dedication to basketball.
The resolution recognizes (1) the historical, economical, and cultural significance and impact that Leonard had on the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana; and (2) the dedication and contributions to sports and entertainment of Leonard and his wife.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 169 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 169

  Honoring the life and legacy of William Robert ``Bobby'' ``Slick'' 
                                Leonard.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 21, 2021

     Mr. Braun (for himself and Mr. Young) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Honoring the life and legacy of William Robert ``Bobby'' ``Slick'' 
                                Leonard.

Whereas William Robert ``Bobby'' ``Slick'' Leonard was born on July 17, 1932, in 
        Terre Haute, Indiana;
Whereas Mr. Leonard was a stand-out basketball player while attending Gerstmeyer 
        Technical High School in Terre Haute, Indiana;
Whereas Mr. Leonard went on to play basketball for the Indiana University 
        Hoosiers men's basketball team (referred to in this preamble as the 
        ``Hoosiers'') in Bloomington, where he--

    (1) helped lead the Hoosiers to 2 Big Ten titles in 1953 and 1954; and

    (2) hit the game winning free throw in the championship game to clinch 
the 1953 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's 
basketball championship title for the Hoosiers;

Whereas Mr. Leonard was named a third-team All-American in 1953 and a second-
        team All-American in 1952;
Whereas, in 1952, Mr. Leonard was named the Most Valuable Player of the 
        Hoosiers;
Whereas Mr. Leonard was captain of the Hoosiers during the 1953-1954 season;
Whereas Mr. Leonard served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956;
Whereas Mr. Leonard was selected by the Baltimore Bullets with the first pick of 
        the second round, the tenth overall pick, of the 1954 National 
        Basketball Association (referred to in this preamble as the ``NBA'') 
        draft;
Whereas, after being drafted in 1954, Mr. Leonard went on to play 7 years of 
        professional basketball in the NBA, 5 years for the Minneapolis and Los 
        Angeles Lakers and 2 years for the Chicago Packers, who were renamed the 
        Zephyrs in 1962;
Whereas Mr. Leonard led the NBA in games played (72) during the 1956-57 season, 
        and finished sixth in the NBA in assists per game (5.4) during the 1961-
        62 season;
Whereas Mr. Leonard was named an NBA All-Star in 1963;
Whereas Mr. Leonard coached the Chicago Zephyrs and Baltimore Bullets from 1962 
        to 1964;
Whereas Mr. Leonard became the head coach of the Indiana Pacers, who were then 
        part of the American Basketball Association (referred to in this 
        preamble as the ``ABA''), in 1968, holding the position for nearly 12 
        years, the last 4 years of which the franchise was in the NBA;
Whereas Mr. Leonard led the Pacers to ABA championships in the 1969-70, 1971-72, 
        and 1972-73 seasons, in addition to 2 other championship appearances, 
        all prior to the ABA-NBA merger in June 1976;
Whereas Mr. Leonard had a total of 529 wins as head coach of the Pacers;
Whereas, as a head coach in the ABA, Mr. Leonard--

    (1) won 69 playoff games, a league record; and

    (2) was the winningest coach in the history of the league;

Whereas, when the State known as the basketball capital of the world was close 
        to losing the Indiana Pacers due to financial problems, Mr. Leonard and 
        his wife Nancy held a telethon and, through small contributions from 
        fans, were able to raise the funds to save the team and keep the Pacers 
        in Indiana;
Whereas Mr. Leonard was selected as the greatest coach in the history of the 
        ABA;
Whereas Mr. Leonard returned to the Pacers in 1985 as a color commentator, first 
        for television and then on radio with Mark Boyle;
Whereas the trademark phrase of Mr. Leonard was ``Boom, Baby!'', which--

    (1) Mr. Leonard said when a member of the Pacers made a 3-point shot; 
and

    (2) inspired the hearts of basketball fans in the Hoosier State and 
across the United States;

Whereas, in 1982, Mr. Leonard became the first individual to be inducted into 
        the Indiana University Sports Hall of Fame;
Whereas Mr. Leonard was also inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame 
        and the Indiana Sports Writers and Broadcasters Hall of Fame;
Whereas, in 2014, Mr. Leonard was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball 
        Hall of Fame as a coach;
Whereas, on April 13, 2021, Mr. Leonard passed away at the age of 88;
Whereas Pacers fans will remember Mr. Leonard as--

    (1) the ``spirit of the Pacers franchise'', as aptly put by Herb Simon, 
the owner of the Pacers; and

    (2) the ``embodiment of basketball'' and an ``Indiana icon'', as aptly 
put by Eric Holcomb, the Governor of Indiana; and

Whereas Mr. Leonard is survived by his wife, their 5 children, 12 grandchildren, 
        and 6 great-grandchildren: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) honors the life and legacy of William Robert ``Bobby'' 
        ``Slick'' Leonard, including the dedication of Mr. Leonard--
                    (A) to the game of basketball, including the 
                promotion of the game across the United States; and
                    (B) in particular, to the game of basketball, the 
                players, and the fans in the Hoosier State;
            (2) recognizes--
                    (A) the historical, economical, and cultural 
                significance and impact Mr. Leonard had on the City of 
                Indianapolis (referred to in this resolution as the 
                ``City'') and the State of Indiana (referred to in this 
                resolution as the ``State'');
                    (B) that without the dedication and contributions 
                to sports and entertainment throughout the City and the 
                State that Mr. Leonard and his wife were able to give, 
                the City nor State would not have such a wonderful 
                reputation or ability to attract the largest sporting 
                events in the world, including--
                            (i) the National Collegiate Athletic 
                        Association Tournament and Final Four;
                            (ii) the National Basketball Association 
                        All-Star Game; and
                            (iii) the Super Bowl; and
            (3) shows gratitude and thankfulness--
                    (A) to the lifetime of sporting memories Mr. 
                Leonard helped provide to the City and the State; and
                    (B) to the impact Mr. Leonard had on the 
                development and growth of the City.
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