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Home , David Robinson, Gregg Popovich, Larry Doby, Tim Duncan

H5646 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 19, 2003 those playoffs were tough, and I would ‘‘the Admiral’’ Robinson proved to be an The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there like to acknowledge the adversary and unstoppable force. With Duncan’s field goals objection to the request of the gen- that is the New Jersey Nets, which put and amazing drives along with Robinson’s tleman from Texas? up a noble fight; but the better team dominance on the paint they helped lead the There was no objection. did win for many, many reasons. It was Spurs to their second championship season. f not just athletic ability, though. The 2003 NBA Finals MVP was Tim Dun- TRIBUTE TO LARRY DOBY I think some of my colleagues have can; he gave an amazing performance, scor- touched on what makes this team so ing 20 points and 20 rebounds, 10 assists and (Mr. PASCRELL asked and was given special. It is about character, and when 8 blocked shots. Robinson scored 13 points permission to address the House for 1 we talk about individuals like David and 17 rebounds in the final game of his minute and to revise and extend his re- Robinson, we understand what char- amazing Spurs career. marks.) acter is all about. It has been pointed This propelled the Spurs to their second Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I have out this is a Naval Academy graduate championship win in less than 5 years. some sad news this morning. A great who put in his military obligation and It is my pleasure to congratulate the San American passed last evening. Larry finished that and then went on to his Antonio Spurs on a great season and a great Doby, 79 years of age, broke the color professional career. championship. This is not only a great day for barrier in the and be- We also speak about , and San Antonians, but for all of came a Hall of Famer, but he was a and we have forgotten a very impor- Texas. Great job Spurs. Go Spurs go. Hall of Famer in his life. tant chapter in Tim Duncan’s life, and Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I with- He said when inducted into the Hall I think Members may have heard this draw my reservation of objection. of Fame in 1998, ‘‘Kids are our future, story before, but these are role models. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. and we hope has given them These are the kinds of models that we FRANKs of Arizona). Is there objection some idea of what it is to live together need to display and demonstrate to all to the request of the gentleman from and how we can get along, whether you of the youth in this country. Texas? be black or white.’’ Tim Duncan had an opportunity to There was no objection. He was a great American. He lost his leave Wake Forest early. He did not The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- wife, Helyn, just 2 years ago. Larry have to get a degree, but his family in- lows: lived a very productive life in my stilled that kind of appreciation. His H. RES. 279 hometown of Paterson, New Jersey, mother wanted him to graduate. As a Whereas, on June 15, 2003, the San Antonio and lived in Montclair, which is part of result of a promise made to his mother, Spurs won the National Basketball Associa- my district as well. he remained at Wake Forest before he tion’s (NBA) Championship best-of-seven se- Mr. Speaker, if I can read from the pursued his professional basketball ca- ries with an 88–77 victory over the New Jer- resolution, a tribute to him back in reer; and it has been an incredible time sey Nets; 1997, which was entered into the CON- for not just Tim Duncan, but for all his Whereas the Spurs’ victory over the Nets is GRESSIONAL RECORD, ‘‘Despite his great fans. their second NBA championship in five accomplishments, Larry Doby has re- This type of class, this type of char- years; mained modest and endearing and a Whereas this year’s Spurs–Nets Finals is acter starts at the very top; and I have the first time two former American Basket- true gentleman. Mr. Doby always gives to say that you start with the owner, ball Association teams have played for the thanks to God for giving him the tal- Mr. and Mrs. Holt. Next, look at the NBA Championship; ent to help integrate baseball and , Coach Popovich. Then look at Whereas seven foot American society and to Mr. Veck for the first string, but also at the bench; joined the Spurs in 1987, and Tim Duncan giving him the opportunity to use that and this is a lesson to all of us. We can- joined the team in 1997; talent and to his wife Helyn for holding not all be starters, but we can all make Whereas last night’s match-up was the together their family while he was a contribution because this champion- final game of David Robinson’s 14-year ca- away.’’ reer, and his 13 points, 17 rebounds, and two ship belongs to that entire team. Also blocked shots will be remembered as his best I ask that my colleagues join in a the staff that supports the Spurs and performance of the season; resolution which I will be introducing. the very special San Antonio fans sec- Whereas Tim Duncan’s triple-double, (21 We have lost a good American. ond to none in the United States. points, 20 rebounds, and ten assists), and his [From the Record, June 19, 2003] It was a class act, and one of skill eight blocked shots will be remembered as LARRY DOBY, HALL OF FAMER, DIES one of the greatest individual efforts in and challenge. If you have character, I Hall of Famer Larry Doby, who grew up in Finals’ history; think you will always be a winner. In Paterson and became the first black player Whereas Tim Duncan won the regular sea- this instance they do have the ring. in the American League, died Wednesday son Most Valuable Player award for the sec- They are going to have the trophy, but night after along illness at his home in ond consecutive year, and he was named the Montclair, his son, Larry Doby Jr. said. I think they have something which is Finals Most Valuable Player following the Doby was 79. so much more important, and that is Spurs victory; Doby was a seven-time All-Star in a 13- an accomplishment which is earned Whereas Spurs year career, almost all of it spent in the out- through character, skill, dedication, was awarded the Trophy as field for the . He helped the NBA Coach of the Year for the 2002–03 and commitment. lead the Indians to their last season; and Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, as the title in 1948. Whereas Gregg Popovich is the first Spurs mighty entered the arena On July 5, 1947—just 11 weeks after Jackie coach in franchise history to win the Red on game six of the NBA National Champion- Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier— Auerbach Trophy: Now, therefore, be it Doby joined the Indians. ship you could tell that it was going to be an Resolved, That the House of Representa- Although he hit .283 with 253 home runs amazing game. The crowd was on their feet tives congratulates the San Antonio Spurs and 969 RBI in a big-league career that lasted chanting Go Spurs Go, non-stop, it was ener- and Coach of the Year Gregg Popovich for an through 1959, his locker room reception that gizing. Every player from Tim Duncan to Kevin unforgettable season of basketball excellence first day was chilly. Some teammates would and for winning the 2003 National Basketball Willis had their game faces on. There was not even shake his hand. Association Championship. something in their look as if they knew what ‘‘Very tough’’, Doby once recalled. ‘‘I’d was going to happen, as if they had dreams The resolution was agreed to. never faced any circumstances like that. of three shots and death defying dunks A motion to reconsider was laid on Teammates were lined up and some would the night before. They had hoop dreams. the table. greet you and some wouldn’t. You could deal with it, but it was hard.’’ The New Jersey Nets put up a great fight, f but the Spurs’ dominance of the fourth quarter Doby ended his major league career in 1959 seemed too much for even the Nets to over- GENERAL LEAVE with the and Chicago White Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask Sox. In 1978, he took over as of the come. After a 19 point scoring run, from a White Sox, becoming only the second black combination of aerial and ground attacks, the unanimous consent that all Members to manage a major league team (following San Antonio Spurs defeated the Nets 88–77. may have 5 legislative days within ). Similar to the likes of Jordan/Pippen, Bird/ which to revise and extend their re- Although Doby was voted into the Hall of McHale, Magic/Jabbar. Tim Duncan and Dave marks on H. Res. 279. Fame by the in 1998, he

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