Congratulating the Detroit Pistons on winning the 2004 National Basketball Association Championship.

Mr. Speaker, I am very glad to join my Michigan colleagues in congratulating the Detroit Pistons on winning the 2004 National Basketball Association (NBA) Championship. This is truly a remarkable achievement and the entire city of Detroit and the State of Michigan are very proud. I have had the pleasure of representing the city of Auburn Hills, location of The Palace, home of the Detroit Pistons. I have also been lucky enough to see firsthand the Detroit Pistons in action there.

On June 15, 2004, the Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers to win the title. This amazing accomplishment came from a great team comprised of players Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell, Darvin Ham, Richard Hamilton, Lindsey Hunter, Mike James, Darko Milicic, Mehmet Okur, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, and Corliss Williamson.

I am especially proud of Pistons Forward Darvin Ham who is a Saginaw, Michigan native. His mother is Wilmer Jones-Ham, the mayor of Saginaw. Darvin played high school basketball at and graduated from Saginaw High School. He went on to play college basketball at Texas Tech University where he helped lead the Red Raiders to a 1996 NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. Darvin played an integral role with the team and is highly deserving of the championship ring he will now wear.

Darvin and the rest of the Pistons who many had said could not compete with the Lakers are truly representative of Saginaw and the entire State of Michigan. Their hard work and never-say-die attitude will hopefully bring them more championships in the very near future. Once again, I congratulate the Detroit Pistons for winning the 2004 NBA Championship.

[From the Saginaw (MI) News, June 16, 2004]

``Mama Ham'' Cheers Darvin

(By Greg Mancina)

``Mama Ham'' was doing a jig early this morning while

waiting for her World Champion son, Darvin, to come back out

of the Detroit Pistons locker room in The Palace of Auburn

Hills.

``I'm trying to keep my composure, but it's hard,''

admitted Wilmer Jones Ham, called ``Mama Ham'' by the Pistons

players.

``The winning spirit of victory is in the air.''

That winning spirit came from a 100-87 shellacking of

Shaquille O'Neal's Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday that gave the

Pistons their third NBA title and Darvin Ham his first

championship ring after what many national pundits are

calling the biggest upset in NBA Finals history.

The Pistons were low-down underdogs to the powerful L.A.

Lakers, and its star-studded roster, bench and crowd. But

something happened on the way to their coronation--a better

team showed up, one that included Saginaw's Darvin Ham.

``I'm just trying to soak it all in,'' said Ham, who

finally emerged from the locker room and popped into the

team's post-game dinner in an upstairs dining room at the

Palace at about 2:30 a.m. ``We did it, baby!''

And Darvin Ham knew it all along.

``I knew back in February we had a championship quality

ballclub,'' he said.

Now the rest of the world knows it, too.

``Don't nobody play D like this, never, ever, not for the

long periods of time that we keep our defensive pressure

consistent at that high of a level,'' Ham explained. ``It is

nothing like anything that's come along in the NBA.''

``Larry Brown preached defense, rebound, share the ball,

defense, rebound, share the ball, defense, rebound, share the

ball, and it rings true. That's why he won a championship in

college and in the NBA.

``It's not rocket science, it's a simple formula, but I

wish I could bottle it up and create a championship wine

cellar so I can pop it open whenever I want.''

Adding to Ham's championship experience was sharing it with

his family, his mother, and the more than 250 extended family

members who somehow found a way into the Palace for Game 5.

``God allowed me to give birth to a World Championship

basketball player,'' Wilmer Jones Ham said. ``Isn't that

something?''

Wilmer Jones Ham, the mayor of Saginaw who Darvin says

``has a bigger name than I do,'' attended her first

basketball game in its entirety since a fainting spell during

a City Council meeting last month.

The mayor went to Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, but

could only stay until halftime ``by doctor's orders.''

But Tuesday was different. Tuesday was close-out day

for the Pistons and there was no way Ham was going to miss

what turned into the title-clinching victory.

``Guess what? I stayed the whole time and I'm wringing with

sweat,'' Wilmer Jones Ham said. ``My heart has been beating,

it's never stopped fluttering.''

``I would sit down and put a cold rag to my head, saying to

myself `exhale, inhale, exhale, inhale.' ''

The mayor sat in the first row along the baseline by a

basket and near enough to the Pistons' bench that they kept

asking ``You alright Mama Ham? You alright?''

``She got to see the important (game),'' Darvin Ham said.

``It's been incredible.''

The family atmosphere also permeates the team, said Darvin

Ham, who said that in all of his NBA stops he's never

experienced anything like the camaraderie he's had with this

team.

``Joe Dumars created an environment where it's easy to come

to work, and you look forward to seeing your teammates,''

Darvin Ham said.

And right on cue, the Palace turned into a hug-fest after

the victory.

``Everybody is holding onto Darvin, hugging him,'' Wilmer

Jones Ham said.

``This just shows you that hard work pays off,'' she

explained. ``They can be an example for all young people--you

don't give up, you don't throw in the towel.''

Darvin Ham is practically the poster child of not throwing

in the towel.

A reserve player on his Saginaw High School basketball

team, Ham worked through junior college to latch onto a

scholarship at Texas Tech.

Then he turned his reputation as a defender and ``banger''

into a profession, first playing in one of basketball's minor

leagues before signing an NBA free agent contract with the

Denver Nuggets.

He played for five more teams before finally landing in

Detroit in September of last year.

Darvin Ham came to the Pistons as a defensive specialist

and used his work ethic

and infectious personality to catch the attention of coach

Larry Brown, who also gave Mama Ham a hug after the final

horn.

Ham earned extended playing time in early-season games, and

two starting assignments, based on his work ethic and defense

in practice, an attitude Brown was trying to instill in the

rest of his team.

``I earned my minutes and recognition through the practice

floor,'' he said.

``Darv is such a good-hearted person and they told me he is

the joy of the team,'' Mama Ham said. ``He's the mover and

the shaker, `Hey, we can do it. We can work through it.' ''

In 370 career NBA games, Ham's averaged 3.0 points and 2.5

rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game, and he's had to bang a lot

of bodies in practice to earn those minutes. In Detroit this

season, he averaged 1.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 54 games.

``It's just being focused and competing,'' Darvin Ham said.

``Everybody matters. We all pushed . . . Darko (Milicic)

pushed our big guys every day in practice. That's stuff not

written about in the papers and people don't get to see it.

The thing I love the most is they recognize that around

here.''

The fans will recognize that over the next few days when

Ham and his teammates have a slate of parties, parades and

rallies planned beginning Thursday morning.

``I'm not sleeping until Labor Day,'' Darvin Ham said.

Greg Mancina is a sports writer for The Saginaw News. You

may contact him at 776-9670.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 679) congratulating the Detroit Pistons on winning the 2004 National Basketball Association championship.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

June 15, 2004, is a date to be remembered throughout the metropolitan Detroit area and the entire great State of Michigan. On this Tuesday night, the underdog Detroit Pistons ended a phenomenal season by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 100-87 to win the 2004 NBA championship four games to one.

Heading into the series, the Lakers were the overwhelming favorites to defeat the Pistons, but the Pistons possessed one defining characteristic which did not show up on paper: they were a group of dedicated teammates working toward a common goal.

This team, under the great leadership of Coach Larry Brown, showed unprecedented teamwork and desire. And it was a beautiful thing to watch.

The Pistons are really fitting representatives for the people of Southeast Michigan. They might not be media superstars. They might not have the Hollywood elite watching them from their courtside, but they have a blue-collar work ethic and they thrive on great teamwork. And when everything is working against them and their backs are up against the wall, they rise to the occasion. The Pistons proved that strong defense and selfless play can deliver overwhelming victory.

Mr. Speaker, the ``Bad Boys'' of Detroit are back; and the people of Michigan are proud to call this team our own. The Pistons motto is ``Going to work.'' Their spirit and their desire is a reflection of Michigan. This attitude is not pretty. It is not flashy. It is gritty. It leads to scraped elbows, bloody noses. But most importantly, it conceives a desire to get the job done.

Team president Joe Dumars, a great champion as a Pistons player himself, took control of the team when a championship was really only a dream. He brought in players who display the same work ethic as he was known for as a player. He hired coaches who understand the role of individuals within a team and who could get these players to perform to their full potential, and despite the critics, the results speak for themselves. Well done Joey D.

Mr. Speaker, prior to the championship series, people around the Nation were not giving the Detroit Pistons a chance. But as the series progressed, it became apparent who was the best team in the NBA.

Finals MVP Chauncey Billups was scoring and passing with the heart of a champion. Rip Hamilton ran circles around defenders. Ben Wallace defended and rebounded like a man possessed. Fear the 'fro, NBA. Rasheed Wallace provided veteran leadership and intimidation like no one else. Tayshaun Prince scored and defended with an elegance that seemed effortless.

And when the Detroit bench was called to duty, the players answered the call. Each and every player knew that as a team, they would be successful, they knew that the work would not be done until the final buzzer.

Mr. Speaker, the entire team showed what teamwork and hard work can do, and Larry Brown was the perfect coach. No coach in sports is more respected than Larry Brown, and I can speak for all Pistons fans in hoping that he will call himself a Detroit Piston for many years to come.

And, finally, Mr. Speaker, we cannot honor the Pistons without mentioning their owner, Bill Davidson. He is a great man who is renowned for his generosity in his charitable works, not just in Michigan or in Southeast Michigan, but throughout our entire Nation and, in fact, the world. His players are a reflection of him, hard working, selfless, and they care about their communities. I congratulate and thank Mr. Davidson.

So, Mr. Speaker, the House solutes the Detroit Pistons for winning the 2004 NBA championship, and after the fireworks have gone off and the parades are over, one team stands above all the rest, the Detroit Pistons.

I encourage all Members to agree to House Resolution 679.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Unfortunately, I missed the last game because we were here voting, but

I was at game 4, where I had my thundersticks. Go Pistons.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to congratulate the Detroit Pistons on winning this year's National Basketball Association championship. It has been 14 long years since the Pistons last brought the Larry O'Brien championship trophy home, but their hard won victory of defeating the Lakers is the epitome of the teamwork at its absolute best. If ever a championship fits the personality of a community, this one does.

The Pistons entered this year's NBA tournament as the definitive dark horse. While Detroit's stifling defensive was universally acknowledged, few outside of the Detroit Metro area and the Piston fan diaspora thought the Pistons' gritty offense and stifling defense could beat the defending Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Nets. However, the Pistons, like they did all year, proved their critics wrong. Demonstrating the strength and determination that would become their hallmark in the series against the Lakers, the Pistons came back to win the series against the Nets after a triple overtime loss in Game 5 as well as a heart breaking loss to the Lakers in game 2 of the Finals. Indeed, the Pistons' ability to rebound after stunning losses have gained the admiration of America.

This team was about true sportsmanship and selflessness. Every Piston could vie for the Most Valuable Player award because each of them played with remarkable fortitude and consistence. Whether Detroit won because of the stepped up play of Richard ``Rip'' Hamilton (averaging over 21.5 points and 4.2 assists per game throughout the post-season), Ben Wallace's season-long hard nosed defensive leadership (averaging a double-double in points scored, with 10.3 per game, and rebounds, with 14.3 per game), Chauncey Billups's post-season play against the Lakers (averaging 21 points and 5.2 assists for the Pistons despite being guarded by two future Hall of Famers, Gary Payton and Kobe Bryant), or the tremendous Pistons bench. They are a true model of what can be achieved with team work: success.

I am particularly excited that the city of Detroit won this championship at this time. Mr. Speaker, during the past few years the Metro Detroit area has lost tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs, some of which will never come back to this great city. The Detroit Pistons winning this championship has brought back hope and a sense of optimism that Detroit desperately needs. Specifically, the team's motto, ``Goin' to work. Every night,'' exemplifies the strength and tenacity both of the Pistons and of the great citizens of Detroit.

The moral of this championship is that you never know what you can achieve until you try. Go Pistons.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I want to take the time today to congratulate the Detroit Pistons on their inspiring run through the NBA season and playoffs and on their first NBA as championship since 1990.

Behind the leadership of the legendary Head Coach Larry Brown, the Pistons displayed a sense of purpose and energy often missing in the NBA game today.

On the court a trio of stars and an excellent supporting cast led the team brilliantly. Despite suffering a broken bone in his face, Richard Hamilton led the Pistons offensively all season and played his best basketball of the season in the playoffs, when he averaged 21.5 points per game.

The Pistons' vaunted defense was led all season by two-time NBA defensive player of the year, winner Ben Wallace, who brought a no- nonsense style to the Pistons.

Though one of the league's best teams last year, team finally came into championship form in mid-season this year when a trade brought forward Rasheed Wallace to the team. Mr. Wallace's veteran experience was the final piece needed as the Pistons stormed through the regular season and the playoffs.

In the finals, the Pistons were regarded as the heavy underdog to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, once again, the Pistons bucked these seemingly insurmountable odds and won the championship series in games. This was basketball at its best.

In closing, I join my colleague. I too want to congratulate the Pistons for their spectacular season, and I look forward to watching them bring the same sort of excitement to basketball again next year. It was basketball, good basketball, wonderful basketball.

I have a lot of relatives living in Detroit, and they were rooting for the Pistons, and I was rooting with them for the Pistons. Go Pistons, go.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 679 congratulating the Detroit Pistons on winning the 2004 National Basketball Association championship on June 15, 2004. We must always recognize honor where honor is due. The Pistons' win against the Lakers in the 5th game of the series this year is admirable and therefore, must be honored.

This commemoration will go a long way. In celebrating this win, we congratulate the players. They are more than just athletes, but they are also role models, fathers, brothers, sons, and husbands. Under the leadership of Coach Larry Brown these players came together to form the most outstanding team of 2004.

Indeed, the Pistons are outstanding off the court as well. We must acknowledge the Pistons' work in the Detroit community. From establishing 4 reading and learning centers, holding an essay contest, and running book drives and clothing drives for needy children in the winter, the team shows that it is committed to giving back to the community that gives so much to them.

And certainly the citizens of Detroit must be commended for their support of the Pistons. At Pistons' games, the love of team abounds. Families, friends, and fans pack bleachers at every game and show the Pistons what love is all about. This year the Pistons and the citizens of Detroit are reaping the rewards of hard work. In Texas, we recognize when hard work pays off. Today, we ask that Washington do the same.

Mrs. Miller of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.