E1138 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 16, 2004 In Portland tomorrow, the first class of nally reached the top again and can proudly champion from back in the day, to go with Friends of the Children, including Natasha, will call themselves world champions. them.’’ Whereas the Pistons’s success resulted graduate from the program. These were chil- Whereas on June 15, 2004, the 2-time cham- from contributions from the entire roster of pion won the 2004 National dren who were identified 12 years ago by their players, including , Elden Association championship, de- elementary schools as most likely to fail. They Campbell, , Richard Hamilton, feating the 9-time champion Los Angeles now show great progress in leading successful , Mike James, Darko Milicic, Lakers; lives. , , Ben Wal- Whereas the Pistons defeated the Mil- lace, , and Corliss I look forward to working with my colleagues waukee Bucks 4 games to 1 in the first round Williamson; to pass this bill and make a commitment to of the playoffs; improving the lives of at-risk children. Whereas the Pistons defeated the Defend- Whereas the Pistons have displayed great strength, ability, and perseverance this sea- f ing Eastern Conference Champion New Jer- sey Nets 4 games to 3 in the hard fought Con- son, which are all reflective of the hard- THE MORTUARY SCIENCE GRAD- ference Semifinals; working people of the metropolitan Detroit UATING CLASS OF 2004 WAYNE Whereas the Pistons defeated the regular region and the great State of Michigan, STATE UNIVERSITY season Eastern Conference Champion Indi- which furthermore is reflected in the team ana Pacers 4 games to 2 in the Conference slogan ‘‘Going to work. Every night.’’: Finals; Now, therefore, be it HON. DALE E. KILDEE Whereas in the finals against the Lakers, Resolved, That the House of Representa- OF MICHIGAN the Pistons won 4 games to 1, giving them tives— (1) Congratulates the Detroit Pistons for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES their 1st NBA Championship since 1990, and making them the first team from the East- winning the 2004 World championship and for Wednesday, June 16, 2004 ern Conference to win the title in 5 years; their outstanding performance during the entire 2004 season, and congratulates all of Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you Whereas the Pistons are the first team to win the three middle games of the finals the 16 NBA teams who made it into the post- today to recognize an outstanding group of season; young men and women who on August 1, since the 2–3–2 format went into effect in 1985. (2) Salutes the achievements of all of the 2004 will receive their degree in the field of Whereas the Pistons’ gritty offense was players, coaches, and staff of the Pistons, Mortuary Science from Wayne State University lead by Rip Hamilton, who averaged more who worked hard and who were instrumental Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and than 21.5 points and 4.2 assists per game in bringing the City of Detroit its third NBA Health Sciences located in Detroit, Michigan. through-out the post-season; championship; The Eugene Applebaum College of Phar- Whereas Rasheed Wallace overcame foot (3) Commends the for a macy and Health Sciences, located on the injury to provide 26 points and 13 rebounds in valiant performance during the playoff finals the crucial game 4 victory; and for displaying their strength and skill as campus of the Detroit Medical Center, is a unit a team; of Wayne State University. The School of Mor- Whereas , two-time NBA de- fensive player and three-time NBA All-De- (4) Directs the Clerk of the House of Rep- tuary Science was formed within the Eugene fensive First Team, lead the Pistons stifling resentatives to transmit an enrolled copy of Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health defense and has brought a working-class this resolution to the Pistons players, Head Sciences in 1943. Students from all over com- mind-set that symbolizes the lunch-pail ano- Coach , General Manager Joe pete for a spot in this highly selective pro- nymity which has become the face of the Dumars and President and team owner Wil- gram. The program provides students with team; liam Davidson. specialized training in the area of funeral prep- Whereas Tayshaun Prince was tenacious f aration and services. The students who grad- on the ball defense and mitigated the Los uate from this program are fully prepared psy- Angeles Lakers talented back court; IN HONOR OF DR. JOSEPH AND Whereas Chauncey Billups was voted Most MRS. BETTS SKRHA IN CELEBRA- chologically, physically and socially to deal Valuable Player, in acknowledgment of his with the process of dying and death. Upon ac- TION OF THEIR 50TH WEDDING outstanding offensive and defensive perform- ANNIVERSARY—JUNE 5, 2004 ceptance of their degrees they each will be ance throughout the post-season, averaging charged with the duty of providing guidance, 21 points a game and 5.2 assists versus 2.6 advice and support to those who have lost turnovers in the finals. HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH loves ones. The process of bereavement is Whereas Coach Larry Brown has done an OF OHIO outstanding job preparing his Pistons to long and sometimes stressful. Many families IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES will look to these individuals for answers to take on an exceptional Lakers team, giving him the unique distinction of being the first Wednesday, June 16, 2004 questions regarding the burial process, as well coach to win both the NBA and NCAA cham- Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in as words of comfort. I am confident that the pionships; instruction given to these graduates over their Whereas former Piston and current Presi- honor and recognition of Dr. Joseph and Betts course of study will them in their mis- dent of Basketball Operations , Skrha, as they celebrate fifty years of devotion sion to promote nobility and understanding Coach Brown, and his staff , to each other, to their family, and to their ex- within the field of Mortuary Science. , Dave Hanners, tended family—the people of their beloved Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I and Igor Stefan Kokoskov have provided North Broadway community. ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to strong leadership and solid coaching, result- The union of Dr. and Mrs. Skrha represents ing in a basketball team in which teamwork please join me congratulating the Wayne State a shared love and commitment not only for and hard work are the rules and not the ex- each other, but for their family, and their com- University Eugene Applebaum College of ceptions; Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Whereas the Pistons fans have shown undy- munity. Their unbreakable bond continues to Mortuary Science class of 2004 and in wishing ing support for their team, leading the embrace and elevate the lives of their chil- them the best in future endeavors. league in attendance in a year where attend- dren—Joseph Ray, Betsey and John. The f ance records were shattered all over the memory of their beloved son, Paul, remains NBA. eternal within their hearts, and within the CONGRATULATIONS TO 2004 DE- Whereas the Pistons exemplify what can be hearts of countless residents along Broadway TROIT PISTONS ON ITS NBA achieved by a talented group of players Avenue and beyond. CHAMPIONSHIP working together in concert for a common A united team, Dr. and Mrs. Skhra continue goal, overcoming a championship proven Lakers’ team comprised of NBA all-stars. to serve as each other’s confidant and advo- HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. Whereas the Pistons have shown that bas- cate. A couple of doors down from the family OF MICHIGAN ketball remains a team sport and have re- home, where they continue to live today, Mrs. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES minded us fans that the game is still a team Betts Skrha supported and worked with Dr. game with fundamentals at its heart and Joseph Skrha throughout his medical practice. Wednesday, June 16, 2004 soul; Their steadfast convictions and willingness to Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, congratula- Whereas, as sports writer Eric Neel so clev- help others is reflected in the lives of hun- erly put it ‘‘Once upon a time, there was a tions to our 2004 Detroit Pistons who brought shared ball on offense and a shared responsi- dreds of families and individuals, some of Detroit its first NBA championship title in 14 bility on defense. In their Game 5 victory, as whom, like the Skhra’s, still live in the old years. It has been a long hard climb back up in the previous four games, it was that time neighborhood. Moreover, they have inspired the championship ladder from our two Cham- all over again. We’ve got retro jerseys and their children and many others—including my- pionships in 1989–90, but the Pistons have fi- throwback sneaks, now we’ve got a world self—to reach out in service to others.

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