Congratulating the San Antonio Spurs for winning the 2003 NBA Championship.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from San Antonio for yielding to me.

Mr. Speaker, first of all I would like to read the resolution congratulating the San Antonio spurs for winning the 2003 NBA Championship.

Whereas, on June 15, 2003, the San Antonio Spurs won the National Basketball Association's Championship best-of-seven series with an 88- 77 victory over the New Jersey Nets;

Whereas the Spurs' victory over the Nets is their second NBA championship in 5 years;

Whereas this year's Spurs-Nets Finals is the first time two former American Basketball Association teams have played for the NBA Championship;

Whereas 7-foot center David Robinson joined the Spurs in 1987, and Tim Duncan joined the team in 1997;

Whereas last night's match-up was the final game of David Robinson's 14-year career, and his 13 points, 17 rebounds, and two blocked shots will be remembered as his best performance of the season;

Whereas Tim Duncan's triple-double, 21 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists, and his eight blocked shots will be remembered as one of the greatest individual efforts in finals history;

Whereas Tim Duncan won the regular season Most Valuable Player award for the second consecutive year, and he was named the Finals Most Valuable Player following the Spurs victory;

Whereas spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was recognized as the NBA Coach of the Year for the 2002-2003 season;

Resolved that the House of Representatives congratulates the San Antonio Spurs and Coach of the Year Gregg Popovich for an unforgettable season of basketball excellence and for winning the 2003 National Basketball Association Championship.

Mr. Speaker, this year's NBA champions, the San Antonio Spurs, showed America their determination and their character. They never gave in and they never gave up, and that is why they are champions today.

Owner Peter Holt, Coach Gregg Popovich, and the Spurs' players provided the City of San Antonio with an unforgettable season of basketball excellence that will be remembered for years. They deserve the thanks of our grateful city.

Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to say a few words about Spurs Center David Robinson. It is fitting that he close his storybook career as an NBA champion. Few players represent their teams and their cities with such class and dignity. We all agree that David Robinson achieved greatness on the basketball court, but what is less known to the general public is that David Robinson is a man who cares deeply about the City of San Antonio and the education of our children.

Through the David Robinson Foundation, he donated $9 million toward the construction and operation of the Carver Academy, a school on the east side of San Antonio that opened its doors in 2001. David Robinson serves as the school's chairman. This donation is believed to be the largest ever made by a professional athlete.

Named for George Washington Carver, the school serves elementary-aged students from a culturally diverse community. The core curriculum focuses on excellence in reading and language arts, social studies, math, science, technology, fine arts, athletics, and foreign languages including German, Japanese, and Spanish.

David's community involvement is extensive. At Spurs' home games he reserves special seats for underprivileged families. He has contributed to the homeless, children's charities, and hurricane victims. In 1991, he promised 94 fifth graders at San Antonio's Gates Elementary School a $2,000 college scholarship if they finished high school. Well, in 1998, 50 students graduated at the ceremony that was attended by Robinson himself.

In 1992, Robinson and his wife Valerie started their foundation, which supports programs that address the physical and spiritual needs of the family. He said their goal is ``To build a foundation for future generations. We want

to make these children the heroes of tomorrow by teaching them principles of integrity, discipline and faith.''

Fittingly, David Robinson has been described as the Goliath of Giving. Every community in America needs a David Robinson. San Antonio has been blessed by his generosity, thoughtfulness and compassion.

Mr. Speaker, David Robinson's extraordinary ability will be missed on the basketball court, but it is off the court where his work continues to give others the opportunity to seek a better and brighter future.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gonzalez), my colleague from San Antonio, for yielding to me.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 279) congratulating the San Antonio Spurs for winning the 2003 NBA championship, and ask for immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me, and I rise today in support of House Resolution 279 introduced by the gentleman from my home State of Texas (Mr. Smith).

This resolution congratulates the San Antonio Spurs, again the champions of the National Basketball Association. On Sunday night, the Spurs defeated the New Jersey Nets 88 to 77 in game six of the NBA Finals to win their second championship in the last 5 years. The city of San Antonio and the entire State of Texas is celebrating the Spurs great victory on the high stage of basketball.

Mr. Speaker, this San Antonio Spurs team is truly one for the ages. Beyond being their second title in recent years, this is a team full of superstars, both on and off the court. The Spurs feature the greatest player in the NBA today, two-time reigning Most Valuable Player of the league, Tim Duncan.

Duncan capped off his final performance on Sunday night with a near- quadruple-double. He scored 21 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, handed out 10 assists, and blocked eight shots during one of his most outstanding performances of the season.

After the game on Sunday night, Duncan was deservedly awarded the finals' Most Valuable Player trophy. After being the number one pick in the NBA draft in 1997, Tim Duncan's first 6 years have been extraordinary, and I commend his efforts.

The accolades extend to the Spurs' outstanding head coach, Gregg Popovich, who earned this season's NBA Coach of the Year award. Coach Popovich won his second well-deserved NBA title on Sunday, and I congratulate him for this momentous accomplishment. I am concerned that Coach Popovich may be underappreciated across the country, but I can assure this House that the people of San Antonio and the fans of the Spurs know that Gregg Popovich is a great coach.

The Spurs also feature such outstanding standouts as Tony Parker, Stephen Jackson, Bruce Bowen, Manu Ginobili, veterans Kevin Willis and Steve Kerr, among many other players. But I want to particularly recognize another great Spurs player who has been one of the NBA's very best ambassadors over the last decade. David Robinson played his last game in the NBA on Sunday, finishing with 13 points and 17 rebounds. This very strong effort completed a 14-year career, over which Mr. Robinson averaged 21 points and nearly 11 rebounds per game.

Also a U.S. Naval officer and compassionate humanitarian, David Robinson was named one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1996, as well as the 1995 MVP, the 1992 Defensive Player of the Year, and the 1990 rookie of the year. I think it is important to note that David Robinson earned his final honor after serving a 2-year Naval Academy commitment, prior to which he was the first selection in the 1987 NBA draft. I congratulate David Robinson for winning this year's NBA championship, for going out on top, and for his remarkable career.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the San Antonio Spurs for winning the 2003 NBA championship. I urge passage of House Resolution 279, and I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I would be happy to yield to my colleague, the gentleman from San Antonio, Texas (Mr. Smith), for an explanation of the resolution.

I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

I am happy to yield to the chairman for a few words regarding this particular resolution and the Spurs.

Further reserving the right to object, I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Further reserving the right to object, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, it is a great honor to join my colleagues. This is an occasion of bipartisan pride, and it is a wonderful occasion; but the Spurs did not get there, and it was not an easy road for them. I think Members know

those playoffs were tough, and I would like to acknowledge the adversary and that is the New Jersey Nets, which put up a noble fight; but the better team did win for many, many reasons. It was not just athletic ability, though.

I think some of my colleagues have touched on what makes this team so special. It is about character, and when we talk about individuals like David Robinson, we understand what character is all about. It has been pointed out this is a Naval Academy graduate who put in his military obligation and finished that and then went on to his professional basketball career.

We also speak about Tim Duncan, and we have forgotten a very important chapter in Tim Duncan's life, and I think Members may have heard this story before, but these are role models. These are the kinds of models that we need to display and demonstrate to all of the youth in this country.

Tim Duncan had an opportunity to leave Wake Forest early. He did not have to get a degree, but his family instilled that kind of appreciation. His mother wanted him to graduate. As a result of a promise made to his mother, he remained at Wake Forest before he pursued his professional basketball career; and it has been an incredible time for not just Tim Duncan, but for all his fans.

This type of class, this type of character starts at the very top; and I have to say that you start with the owner, Mr. and Mrs. Holt. Next, look at the coach, Coach Popovich. Then look at the first string, but also at the bench; and this is a lesson to all of us. We cannot all be starters, but we can all make a contribution because this championship belongs to that entire team. Also the staff that supports the Spurs and the very special San Antonio fans second to none in the United States.

It was a class act, and one of skill and challenge. If you have character, I think you will always be a winner. In this instance they do have the ring. They are going to have the trophy, but I think they have something which is so much more important, and that is an accomplishment which is earned through character, skill, dedication, and commitment.

Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, what a privilege to stand in the United States Capitol to honor the World Champion San Antonio Spurs. In life, it is not just how you win, but it is how you play the game.

America has seen that the Spurs are a team of character. There are no ball hogs, no billboard tattoos, no nose rings or show boats. It is a team that works like a well-oiled machine. No longer can anyone in the NBA say that nice guys finish last.

David Robinson is not just a basketball icon; he is known internationally as a great community servant. It is appropriate that the NBA renamed its community service award after David.

Tim Duncan, the Tower of Power. Those blocked shots in the final game will always be remembered as part of an all-time great performance, and the list goes on and on.

Tony Parker's trademark clutch tear-drop shots and the interviews he would do with the French media speaking French gave a new twist to the finals.

Bruce Bowen's defense and the 3-point bonanza in a critical game against the Lakers is something we are still talking about.

Steve Jackson's three pointers, and Malik Rose's intensity and willingness to bang hard under the basket at crucial times in the game, Manu Ginobili's ability to defy gravity and make those clutch shots and steal the ball at critical times. He became Charles Barkley's favorite player, and Charles loved yelling his name out, Manu Ginobili, during the beginning of the game and afterwards.

Then there is Steve Kerr. Boy, did he give the Spurs a boost with those heart-stopping three-point shots in the fourth quarter just when we needed them. This is Steve Kerr's sixth championship ring, and we congratulate him.

The rest of the guys all played vital roles just when they were needed, Speedy Claxton, Danny Ferry, Steve Smith, and Kevin Willis. And Coach Gregg Popovich now has two NBA titles with the Spurs. A lot of political bigshots could, frankly, take a lesson from Popovich. He always believes in doing what is right, the media be damned.

Congratulations to the owners, Peter and Juliana Holt, two friends and wonderful people who are so deserving. They also set an example for patience and doing what is right for the Spurs, and they continue to serve the community every day of their lives.

From all of us in the congressional delegation of San Antonio, thank you for making us proud. And the best news is next year the Spurs are expected to be even better.

Mr. Speaker, as the mighty San Antonio Spurs entered the arena on game six of the NBA National Championship you could tell that it was going to be an amazing game. The crowd was on their feet chanting Go Spurs Go, non-stop, it was energizing. Every player from Tim Duncan to Kevin Willis had their game faces on. There was something in their look as if they knew what was going to happen, as if they had dreams of three point shots and death defying dunks the night before. They had hoop dreams.

The New Jersey Nets put up a great fight, but the Spurs' dominance of the fourth quarter seemed too much for even the Nets to overcome. After a 19 point scoring run, from a combination of aerial and ground attacks, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Nets 88-77.

Similar to the likes of Jordan/Pippen, Bird/McHale, Magic/Jabbar. Tim Duncan and Dave ``the Admiral'' Robinson proved to be an unstoppable force. With Duncan's field goals and amazing drives along with Robinson's dominance on the paint they helped lead the Spurs to their second championship season.

The 2003 NBA Finals MVP was Tim Duncan; he gave an amazing performance, scoring 20 points and 20 rebounds, 10 assists and 8 blocked shots. Robinson scored 13 points and 17 rebounds in the final game of his amazing Spurs career.

This propelled the Spurs to their second championship win in less than 5 years.

It is my pleasure to congratulate the San Antonio Spurs on a great season and a great championship. This is not only a great day for San Antonio and San Antonians, but for all of Texas. Great job Spurs. Go Spurs go.