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Home , Bill Russell, Celtic Pride, Eastern Division (NBA), John Havlicek, Larry Bird, Phil Jackson

December 6, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 152, Pt. 17 22555 last time and threw three shutout in- America (BAA) and led the team to the 1947 prevail in , through his nings for the Kansas City Athletics. and 1949 division titles, joining the decisions to draft, hire, and prominently fea- Paige’s pitching was amazing and his Celtics as coach in 1950 after the BAA ture African-Americans on the Boston Celt- showboating was legendary. Joe merged with the National Asso- ics basketball team; and ciation (NBA); (3) ’s place among the great- DiMaggio called Paige ‘‘the best and Whereas Red’s record of success on the bas- est coaches and executives of all time is as- fastest pitcher I have ever faced.’’ His ketball court and in the Celtics’ front office sured, his contributions to the betterment of career highlights spanned five decades. is unmatched; society will always endure, and his life ex- Pronounced the greatest pitcher in the Whereas during Red’s leadership of the emplifies the very best ideals of the United history of the Negro Leagues, Paige , the team won 16 NBA cham- States. compiled such feats as 64 consecutive pionships, including 9 championships, with a The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- scoreless innings, a stretch of 21 record 8 in a row, during Red’s tenure as ant to the rule, the gentleman from coach; straight wins, and a 31–4 record in 1933. Ohio (Mr. LATOURETTE) and the gentle- Whereas when Red retired from coaching For 22 years, Paige mauled the com- in 1966 to become general manager of the woman from the District of Columbia petition in front of sellout crowds. His Celtics, he was the winningest coach in NBA (Ms. NORTON) each will control 20 min- goal was to pitch in the Major Leagues. history with 1,037 victories and had won al- utes. In 1948, Paige’s dream came true. The most two-thirds of the games he had coached The Chair recognizes the gentleman Cleveland Indians were in need of extra over a 20-year NBA coaching career; from Ohio. pitching for the pennant race. Paige Whereas during his nearly 57-year tenure GENERAL LEAVE stepped to the mound and helped the with the Celtics as , General Mr. LATOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I Indians win. He also played for St. Manager, Vice Chairman of the Board, and ask unanimous consent that all Mem- President, Red was the architect of one of bers may have 5 legislative days within Louis and Kansas City. the greatest dynasties in the history of pro- When Paige’s Major League career fessional sports; which to revise and extend their re- was completed, he compiled a modest Whereas Red infused the Celtics organiza- marks and include extraneous material 28–31 record with a 3.29 earned run av- tion with the values of teamwork, respect, on the concurrent resolution under erage. He also served as a coach for the tenacity, and loyalty, creating a culture consideration. in 1968. In 1971, Paige known as ‘‘’’ that will be forever The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there was given the ultimate honor. He was associated with the Boston Celtics franchise; objection to the request of the gen- elected to join the very best in baseball Whereas Red’s imprint on the Celtics, the tleman from Ohio? NBA, and the game of basketball is perma- history by being elected to the Hall of There was no objection. nent and visible today in innovations that Mr. LATOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I Fame. Red developed, including the ‘‘’’ yield myself such time as I may con- Mr. Speaker, I am honored to support role and style of play; sume. S. Con. Res. 91. Whereas Red was an effective and tireless Mr. Speaker, few coaches or man- ambassador for the game of basketball, both Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance agers in the history of sports, let alone of my time. in the United States and overseas, con- ducting clinics, barnstorming with the Celt- basketball, are as legendary as Arnold Mr. LATOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I ‘‘Red’’ Auerbach. His career with the yield back the balance of my time. ics, starring in the successful television se- ries ‘‘Red on Roundball’’, writing 7 books on Boston Celtics began in 1950, and right The SPEAKER pro tempore. The basketball, including the influential ‘‘Bas- away he began setting new records and question is on the motion offered by ketball For The Player, The Coach, and The benchmarks. the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LATOU- Fan’’, and participating with Celtic great The Celtics won nine NBA champion- RETTE) that the House suspend the and Hall of Famer in the instruc- ships in 10 seasons under his watch as rules and concur in the Senate concur- tional video, ‘‘Winning Basketball’’; coach, and Auerbach’s draft of an Afri- rent resolution, S. Con. Res. 91. Whereas Red received numerous awards can American was a first for the NBA. and honors in recognition of his extraor- The question was taken; and (two- He continued to break down racial bar- thirds of those voting having responded dinary achievements, such as selection as the NBA Coach of the Year in 1965, induction riers in sports as the first coach in the in the affirmative) the rules were sus- into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall NBA to start with a lineup of all black pended and the Senate concurrent reso- of Fame in 1969, designation as the NBA ‘‘Ex- players, and the first executive in the lution was concurred in. ecutive of the Year’’ in 1980, and selection as history of all professional sports to ap- A motion to reconsider was laid on ‘‘The Greatest Coach in the History of the a black coach. the table. NBA’’ by the Professional Basketball Writ- He revolutionized the way basketball ers’ Association of America in 1980; f was played, focusing entirely on the Whereas Red’s lighting of his cigar in the team rather than on individuals, and closing moments of an imminent Celtics’ HONORING THE MEMORY OF he created an arsenal of tactics that ARNOLD ‘‘RED’’ AUERBACH victory became an enduring symbol of suc- cess in Boston and around the world; had never been used before. Mr. LATOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I Whereas Red’s legacy extends beyond the Red Auerbach will also be remem- move to suspend the rules and agree to game of basketball and includes his impor- bered for his lively personality on and the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. tant contributions to the advancement of a off the court. His passion for the game 497) to honor the memory of Arnold colorblind society through his decision to was second to none, and Celtic fans ‘‘Red’’ Auerbach. draft the NBA’s first African-American play- awaited with anticipation for him to The Clerk read as follows: er, Chuck Cooper, in 1950, hire the first Afri- ceremoniously light his cigar on the can-American head coach in professional sidelines, a signal to everyone that the H. CON. RES. 497 sports, , in 1966, and field the Whereas Arnold ‘‘Red’’ Auerbach was born first in the NBA consisting game belonged to his team. on September 20, 1917, in , New entirely of African-American players in 1964; Coaches with the talent and spark York, the son of immigrants from Minsk, and like Red Auerbach are indeed rare. In Russia; Whereas the name ‘‘Red Auerbach’’ will honor of all he did for the game of bas- Whereas Red started playing basketball as forever be synonymous with winning, inten- ketball and professional sports as a a public school student in Brooklyn and sity, integrity, and charitable causes: Now, whole, I urge all Members to join me in later became a star guard for Eastern Dis- therefore, be it supporting this resolution. trict High School, making all-scholastic sec- Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of ond team in his senior year; Senate concurring), That it is the sense of my time. Whereas Red started his coaching career at Congress that— Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield St. Albans Prep School and Roosevelt High (1) Arnold ‘‘Red’’ Auerbach was a basket- School in Washington, D.C., before serving in ball genius who embodied the values of cre- myself such time as I may consume. the from 1943 to 1946; ativity, determination, versatility, and com- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support Whereas, in 1946, Red began his profes- mitment to helping the less fortunate; of the resolution that recognizes the sional coaching career with the Washington (2) Red Auerbach was a leader in the effort achievements and the life of famed bas- Capitols in the Basketball Association of to remove racial barriers and allow merit to ketball coach, Arnold ‘‘Red’’ Auerbach.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:57 May 19, 2017 Jkt 049102 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\BOUNDRECORD\BR06DE06.DAT BR06DE06 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with BOUND RECORD 22556 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 152, Pt. 17 December 6, 2006 Auerbach was both a player and a sport in the United States. In 1965, he thirds of the games he coached over a 20- coach during his career in collegiate won the NBA title playing five African year NBA career. The 16 world championship and professional basketball, but we all American starters on an NBA team. No banners that hang from the rafters in Boston best remember Red as the cigar-chew- one had ever done that before, because Garden today are an everlasting testament to ing coach of the Boston Celtics. he was blind to race. Red’s incredible talent. As coach of the Celtics, Auerbach led I know this, because in 1959 when I As an executive leading the Celtics, he was his team to ten Eastern Division titles was 13 years old, Red Auerbach decided the architect of one of the greatest dynasties in 16 years and nine National Basket- that he was going to have four teams in the history of professional sports. The play- ball Association titles overall. His that would alternate playing a game at ers he brought onto the Celtics—often by out- most astonishing achievement of his right before the Boston witting and outmaneuvering the general man- 17-year career as coach of the Celtics Celtic game at 1 o’clock. He had a agers of the other teams in the league—re- was winning eight straight NBA titles, YMHA team, Young Men’s Hebrew As- main among the greatest to ever play the a feat unmatched before or since. sociation; a Chinese American team; an game: Bill Russell; ; ; Red coached the Celtics from 1959 to African American team from Roxbury; Kevin McHale; and of course, Larry Bird. 1966, but he did not stray far from the and he had a CYO team, a Catholic Red understood that it took much more than team when his coaching days ended. He Youth Organization team, and I was on individual stars to win consistently. That’s why moved from the court to the front of- that team. I was one of the 10 boys on he constructed teams with players who knew fice and was an executive with the that Catholic team. And we played al- and excelled at their specific roles, building a franchise until 1980. Auerbach will al- ternating Sundays right before the whole that always was greater than the sum of ways be remembered as the coach of Celtics game, in uniform with all the its parts. It wasn’t unusual for players from one of the most famous basketball dy- fans coming in; Chinese, African Amer- other teams to suddenly start playing better nasties in history. He will always be re- ican, Jewish, white, in Boston, in 1959. when they joined the Celtics than they ever garded by many as the best NBA coach Red Auerbach was a very special had with their previous team. of all time. man, because he was dedicated to being Red infused the entire Celtics organization The picture of Red Auerbach that color-blind. He was dedicated to excel- with the values of teamwork, respect, tenacity most of us carry in our minds is the lence, regardless of where the talent and loyalty, creating a culture known as ‘‘Celt- image of him lighting up a cigar on the came from. It was a message that all of ic Pride’’ that forever will be associated with sidelines after his Celtics had won an- us in Boston saw and heard, and to a the Boston Celtics franchise. other game, but there are a few lesser very large extent this new African It’s impossible to overstate Red’s impact on known facts about Auerbach that mean American Governor, this great new the City of Boston and the entire a great deal to me and to all African Governor that we have in Massachu- region. With his leadership, the Celtics be- Americans. setts, Deval Patrick, he is a political came hometown heroes, and Red was a living Red’s great vision led him to draft godchild not only of Bobby Kennedy legend. the first African American basketball and John F. Kennedy and Martin Lu- Growing up as a boy in Massachusetts, I al- player in NBA history, he was the first ther King, but also in Boston, in Mas- ways got a thrill when Red would let the CYO coach to start an all African American sachusetts, of Red Auerbach and the teams from across the state play on that in- lineup in the NBA, and Auerbach was message he was sending through Bill credible parquet floor in Boston Garden. It was the first executive to hire an African Russell, through these other players a a highlight for us, and it also was an example American to coach a professional bas- generation ago, to all of us in our of Red’s work to break down racial and class ketball team. Red changed the way State. So we are so, so proud of him. barriers. To have white kids and black kids, professionals play the game of basket- Hispanic and Jewish kids from communities b 1415 ball, and these achievements helped to across the state mixing together was unusual change the face of basketball as well. He always knew that a team could be in Boston in the 50s and early 60s, and Red On October 28, the basketball world bigger than the sum of its parts if they was the one making it happen. lost a great coach, and the rest of us all worked together. That was his mes- Red’s lasting impact on our country tran- lost a great American citizen. Al- sage. That was something that made scends basketball. His unrivalled ability to though we mourn his loss and will miss him the most successful basketball identify gifted players was fueled by his laser his presence at NBA events, we cannot coach in the . It focus on talent and attitude, which left no help but see his influence on the game was that notion of teamwork. room for considerations of race, creed or of basketball, wherever it is played. I After each victory, he pulled out a color. ask for the adoption of this resolution. cigar, and I know that it is in violation In 1950, Red drafted the NBA’s first African- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of of House rules to smoke, although in American player, Chuck Cooper. He hired the my time. the State of Massachusetts, in all pub- first African-American head coach in profes- Mr. LATOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I lic places, it is illegal to smoke, except sional sports in 1966 in Bill Russell and was reserve the balance of my time. written into the law Red Auerbach, be- the first coach to put together a starting lineup Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am cause he had a special exception, and consisting entirely of African-American players pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gen- out here on the House floor today, to in 1964. tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. MAR- Red I say that you were the ultimate While Red made his indelible mark in Bos- KEY), the cosponsor of this resolution winner, that you were someone who ton, his home remained in Washington, DC with me. not only won on the court but you won throughout his career with the Celtics. I was Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank in life and you sent that message to all fortunate to be invited to Red’s famous the gentlewoman, and I thank the of us. We thank you for your example. lunches at the China Pearl restaurant, where Members of the House for allowing us I thank the gentlewoman from the Red would hold court in the middle of a di- to have these few minutes on the floor District of Columbia for recognizing verse group of journalists, athletes, doctors, of the House of Representatives to me. coaches, and other friends he had made over honor, to recognize one of the greatest Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this the years. Watching Red, it was clear that he Americans of the 20th century, one of resolution to honor ‘‘Red’’ Auerbach, the leg- was a natural leader—he would have made a the greatest basketball coaches of all endary basketball coach and executive of the great Speaker of the House in his day. time, but also a man who was a pioneer Boston Celtics, who passed away in October Red’s place among the greatest coaches in race relations. at the age of 89. and executives of all time is assured, his con- In 1950, he was the first person to Mr. Speaker, Red Auerbach was a winner. tributions to the betterment of society will al- draft in the NBA an African American. As a coach, he won more than a thousand ways endure, and his life exemplifies the very In 1966, he named Bill Russell as the games, including 9 world championships and best ideals of our country. coach of the Boston Celtics, the first an unbelievable 8 in a row—a record that still There will never be another Red African American coach of any major stands today. Overall, he won almost two- Auerbach—he was an American original. Our

VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:57 May 19, 2017 Jkt 049102 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 9920 E:\FDSYS\BOUNDRECORD\BR06DE06.DAT BR06DE06 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with BOUND RECORD December 6, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 152, Pt. 17 22557 hearts go out to Red’s family and friends. I en- There are many ways, Mr. Speaker, NBA titles, including eight straight from 1959 courage my colleagues to support this resolu- for a man or a woman to show courage to 1966—the longest string of championships tion in Red’s honor. on race. There are many ways to be a in the history of North American professional Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield civil rights leader. For America and es- sports. His historic coaching career ended in myself such time as I may consume. pecially for those who needed him 1966 with 938 regular season victories, a I thank the gentleman for those com- most, we in the House today say record that stood until Lenny Wilkins broke it ments. That is a very appropriate prop thanks, Red. in the 1994–95 season and 9 championship to use this time. I have just an addi- Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in rings, an amount only matched by the current tional word about Red Auerbach. support of H. Con. Res. 497. As a Boston coach . Mr. Speaker, when you have won Celtics fan, I am proud to be a cosponsor of Auerbach was revered for his unique ability two-thirds of the games you ever this resolution, which honors the memory of to scout and recognize talent. Throughout his coached over a 20-year period, there is Arnold ‘‘Red’’ Auerbach. time as a coach and in the front office he en- hardly anybody in America who is not Red Auerbach was known as the man who gineered some of the most historic trades and going to claim you. Brooklyn has every turned the Boston Celtics into a fran- draft selections in NBA history. One of the right to claim Red Auerbach for grow- chise. A fiery and competitive coach, he un- most notable was in the 1956 NBA Draft when ing up there. Boston certainly claims derstood the importance of each individual the franchise traded up to the second pick in him. Actually, Russia could claim him. player’s role on a team. He was also a savvy the draft and selected Future Hall of Famer The man was born in Russia, and we re- businessman who made his decisions based Bill Russell from the University of San Fran- member the time when Russia used to on what was best for his team, regardless of cisco. Also, while in the Celtic’s front office, claim to invent everything whether it how society might have viewed him. His meth- Auerbach assembled arguably the greatest happened there. Well, this did happen ods and coaching styles were copied by front line in NBA history when he drafted Larry there. many, leading to Auerbach being called the in- Bird in 1978 as a ‘‘junior eligible’’ selection I am here to claim Red Auerbach, ventor of modern professional basketball and and then in 1980 worked out a deal that too, because he actually began his one of the greatest coaches in professional brought to the team and al- coaching career right here in the Dis- sports history. lowed the franchise to draft Kevin McHale out Born on September 20, 1917, in Brooklyn, trict of Columbia, coaching on two of the University of Minnesota. All three play- NY, Auerbach was a basketball captain and high school teams, one, a private high ers are now members of the NBA Hall of also school president at Eastern District High school team, St. Albans; the other, a Fame and became the nucleus that led the School. He went on to earn both a bachelor’s public high school team, Roosevelt Celtics to 3 world Championships in the and a master’s degree from George Wash- High School. Wouldn’t you know it? 1980’s. ington University, where he played basketball The great characteristics of sports- Auerbach’s influence on the game went be- for three years. His marriage in 1941 to Doro- manship should be remembered as yond the numerous victories and champion- thy Lewis, as well as his ties to his alma much as the more than thousand ships; he also was a pioneer in advancing games that Red Auerbach won, the no- mater, led Auerbach to establish his home in the Washington, DC area, where he also race equality within the NBA. In 1950, the tion of respect and loyalty, the culture Celtics franchise selected Chuck Cooper of he brought to the game, which, if I began his basketball coaching career. In 1950, he began his legendary run as the head coach Duquesne University in the second round as may say so, often today seems absent the first black player to ever be selected in the from the game and from sports. As we of the Boston Celtics. As the Celtics coach, he won nine National NBA Draft. In addition during the 1963–64 remember Red Auerbach, I hope we will Basketball Association championships, includ- season, Auerbach’s starting line up of Bill remember his standards and the cul- ing eight straight from 1959 to 1966, which still Russell, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones, Tom Sand- ture that he insisted upon by the exam- stands as a record in North American profes- ers, and became the first all ple he set in the sport where he ex- sional sports. Fearless and not easily swayed black starting line up in NBA history. And fi- celled above all others. by the prevalent attitudes surrounding him, nally upon his retirement in 1966, Auerbach He never stopped working for basket- Auerbach drafted the NBA’s first black player, chose Bill Russell to succeed him as the ball in countless ways, as an ambas- named the first black coach in any profes- coach of the Boston Celtics becoming the first sador of the game, his television series, sional sports league, and had the first all-black African American to coach an American pro- Red on Round Ball. The man wrote starting lineup in NBA history. After the 1966 fessional sports team. seven books about basketball. season, he decided to hand over the coaching Please join me in recognizing this American Finally, of course, today it may seem reins, but remained with the Celtics as an ex- legend, his contributions to both the game of unbelievable that as recently as 1950 ecutive, and he would be affiliated with the or- basketball and the nation will be forever re- Auerbach distinguished himself by ganization for the rest of his life. membered. drafting the first African American Red Auerbach passed away on October 28, Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield player in the NBA, Chuck Cooper. 2006, just shy of attending his 57th straight back the balance of my time. Goodness sakes, very late in the his- Celtics game opener in Boston. Red Auerbach Mr. LATOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I tory of our country, particularly if we was the epitome of the Celtics, and his leg- yield back the balance of our time. consider that the game is, if anything, endary status made it seem he would live for- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. inordinately dependent today on Afri- ever. While it is hard to picture the Celtics and ADERHOLT). The question is on the mo- can American players. the world without him, Red Auerbach has left tion offered by the gentleman from Then, of course, about 16 years later, his mark. His guiding principles—family, loy- Ohio (Mr. LATOURETTE) that the House it would seem he hired the first African alty, teamwork—should not only be taught on suspend the rules and agree to the con- American head coach in professional the basketball court, but guidelines we should current resolution, H. Con. Res. 497. sports. That is a real breakthrough be- all follow. The question was taken; and (two- cause you have to have the courage to Red Auerbach leaves behind two daughters, thirds of those voting having responded move with someone whom you believe Nancy Collins and Randy; one granddaughter; in the affirmative) the rules were sus- can do exactly what you are doing and and three great grandchildren. May we keep pended and the concurrent resolution what those who are leaders of the game his loved ones in our thoughts and prayers, was agreed to. did, and of course he found the right and may his memory live on forever. A motion to reconsider was laid on man and the right time in Bill Russell. Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise the table. As recently as 1964, Red started the today in honor of Arnold ‘‘Red’’ Auerbach, the f first all African American lineup of legendary coach, general manager, and presi- CONDEMNING ST. DENIS, FRANCE, players. I think there was some reluc- dent of the Boston Celtics. Red was the archi- FOR NAMING STREET IN HONOR tance to do that by some. Regardless of tect and mastermind of one of the most domi- OF MUMIA ABU-JAMAL what it might have done for the game nant franchises in professional sports history. before that, Red Auerbach simply did He coached the Celtics from 1950 to 1966, Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speak- it. and during his tenure the franchise won nine er, I move to suspend the rules and

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