21486 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 16 September 14, 2009 Stockton will always be remembered This extends to other sports as well. Due to Dick’s work, the State cham- for his no-nonsense approach to the Currently, Sloan is the longest-tenured ber now operates debt free. During his game, his hard-nosed defense, his coach in any major professional sport. tenure, Dick has built the State cham- matchless work ethic, and his quiet, There are a number of reasons to ex- ber to over 2,000 members. He has been unassuming personality. His unflashy, plain his longevity. The most obvious named Executive of the Year by the fundamentally sound style of play is that he has been successful. He is Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Ex- earned him the respect of John Wood- currently fourth on the list for alltime ecutives and is already a member of en, the legendary UCLA basketball coaching wins—though he holds the the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce coach, who once said that John Stock- record for most wins with one team. In Hall of Fame. ton was the only NBA player he would 17 out of the 20 seasons he’s been in Through leading key campaigns ad- pay money to see. Utah, the Jazz have been in the play- vocating new business opportunities Stockton retired in 2003 and returned offs, the only absences coming in tran- and job creation such as Right-to-Work home to Spokane. While other NBA sitional years after the departures of and tort reform, Dick has been credited greats have sought careers in broad- John Stockton and Karl Malone. with saving the business community in casting and coaching after their ca- Another reason Sloan has been able Oklahoma over $2 billion. In fact, the reers were over, so far, John has been to stick around is his consistent, no- State chamber recently earned the Na- content to stay at home with his fam- nonsense approach to the game. Over tion’s highest honor from the Amer- ily. This comes as no surprise to those time, teams have changed strategies to ican Tort Reform Association and the who know him. become flashier in order to cater to U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Legal Re- Guiding John through most of his younger fans and the new era of play- form. Just this year, the State cham- NBA career, was coach Jerry Sloan, ers, many of whom have been self-cen- ber was awarded the ‘‘The State Legis- who, once again, is also being inducted tered prima donnas. Throughout that lative Achievement Award’’ by the U.S. into the Hall of Fame. Sloan’s careers time, Coach Sloan has been a model of Chamber’s Institute for Legal Reform as both a player and a coach have been consistency, placing premiums on dis- and the first annual ‘‘Gold Medal for characterized by his unyielding tough- cipline and hard work among his play- the Best State Civil Justice Legisla- ness and an unmatched drive to com- ers. The result has been a franchise tion’’ by the American Tort Reform pete. that, for over two decades, has com- Association. Dick has also led inter- Jerry was born and raised in peted at a high level. national outreach serving as Executive McLeansboro, IL, and played his col- In many ways, Stockton and Sloan in Charge of sister chamber work be- lege career at the University of Evans- were alike, and their strengths com- tween the Oklahoma State Chamber ville. He played one season in the NBA plemented each other. Neither one will and both the Gansu, China Provincial for the Baltimore Bullets before being claim to have been able to be success- Chamber and the Liaoning, China Pro- selected by the Chicago Bulls in the ex- ful without the other. vincial Chamber. Dick was a presenter pansion draft. In fact, he was the Currently, there is a huge statue of at the VI Hemispheric Sister Cities team’s first player, earning him the John Stockton in front of the Energy Forum in Iquique, Chile, and he is the nickname ‘‘The Original Bull.’’ Sloan Solutions arena alongside a statue of recipient of the ‘‘The George Nigh quickly became known for his tenacity Karl Malone. Chances are, in 20 or 30 Global Trade Award.’’ Dick’s involve- on defense, and he led the expansion years when Jerry Sloan finally decides ment in Oklahoma business develop- team to the playoffs in its first season. to hang it up, they will want to build a ment has been extensive. Dick’s success is due in part to his He had an exceptional career as a monument to him as well. Neither of long history in chamber management. player. He played in two All-Star these gentlemen would actively seek Before coming to Oklahoma, Dick Games, was named to the NBA All-De- such limelight, but few are as deserv- worked in chambers throughout the fensive First Team four times and the ing. country from California to Texas be- All-Defensive Second Team twice. He Once again, I would like to extend fore coming to Oklahoma in 1986. His also led the Bulls to the playoffs on my congratulations to both John experience also extends internationally various occasions and helped them to Stockton and Jerry Sloan for this as Dick worked as a project adviser for win the franchise’s only division title great honor and to thank them for the U.S. Chamber’s Center for Inter- prior to the Michael Jordan era. After their contributions to the Utah com- national Private Enterprise serving as his playing career was cut short by munity. a consultant to the National Chamber knee injuries, the Bulls retired Sloan’s f of Commerce of Zimbabwe, Africa. No. 4 jersey, the first jersey retirement ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS Oklahomans can appreciate Dick’s in the team’s history. service to the Oklahoma State Cham- Immediately after his retirement, he ber and the entire State of Oklahoma, COMMENDING DICK RUSH became part of the Bull’s coaching and we wish him the very best in his staff, starting out as a scout, eventu- ∑ Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, on retirement and all future endeavors.∑ ally working his way up to head coach, behalf of the Oklahoma Congressional f a position he held for three seasons. A Delegation, I would like to congratu- few years later, he joined the Jazz late Richard P. Rush on his retirement COMMENDING C. VIVIAN STRINGER coaching staff as an assistant to an- from the Oklahoma State Chamber of ∑ Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam President, I other Utah sports icon, Frank Layden. Commerce. rise to extend my congratulations to C. In 1988, when Layden’s health forced Dick will be leaving the State cham- Vivian Stringer for her induction into him to retire, Jerry was named head ber next spring after serving as its the Naismith Memorial Basketball coach of the Jazz, a position he has president and chief executive officer Hall of Fame. It is a proper tribute for held ever since. for 24 years. Dick has made a positive such a distinguished and celebrated ca- Coach Sloan just finished his 20th contribution to the State of Oklahoma reer. This is certainly an incredible season as coach of the Jazz, a mile- and has been characterized as ‘‘the honor which stands tall, even amongst stone that, in today’s sports world, is State’s leading pro-business advocate.’’ her other considerable accolades. almost unthinkable. Over the course of Dick’s success is evident in both his in- The success that Vivian Stringer has his Jazz tenure, literally hundreds of ternal administration of the State achieved in her 38-year coaching ca- coaching changes have taken place chamber and his work leading key reer, including the last 14 at Rutgers throughout the NBA. In a league that probusiness campaigns which have University, speaks for itself: 825 vic- has had a number of great coaches in made a positive impact on Oklahoma tories; 30 seasons of 20 or more wins; 22 its history, none have coached for the creating jobs and increasing business NCAA Tournament appearances; 4 same team as long as Jerry Sloan. development. Final Fours with 3 different programs; VerDate Mar 15 2010 10:27 Apr 03, 2012 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S14SE9.000 S14SE9 wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with BOUND RECORD September 14, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 16 21487 Olympic Gold as an assistant coach EC¥2871. A communication from the Dep- EC¥2880. A communication from the Chief with the 2004 U.S. Women’s Basketball uty Secretary of Defense, transmitting the of the Publications and Regulations Branch, team. Her commitment to excellence is report of the authorization of (4) officers to Internal Revenue Service, Department of the unsurpassed and lauded by peers and wear the authorized insignia of the grade of Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the brigadier general in accordance with title 10, report of a rule entitled ‘‘ICE Futures Can- supporters alike. United States Code, section 777; to the Com- ada, Inc. 1256(g)(7)(C) Qualified Board or Ex- Most importantly, Vivian Stringer mittee on Armed Services. change’’ (Revenue Ruling 2009–24) received in has served, above all else, as a teacher EC¥2872. A communication from the Chief the Office of the President of the Senate on to each of her players. Her dedication of the Publications and Regulations Branch, September 9, 2009; to the Committee on Fi- to education beyond the court is clear, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the nance.