A resolution recognizing the National Hockey League's New Jersey Devils and National Basketball Association's New Jersey Nets for their accomplishments during the 2002-2003 season.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Senate Resolution No. 176, introduced by myself and Senator Lautenberg.

I rise today with my distinguished colleague from New Jersey, my friend and longstanding representative of our great State, Senator Lautenberg, to discuss a resolution honoring the New Jersey Devils and the New Jersey Nets, their accomplishments in postseason of the respective leagues.

The past 2 weeks have seen the Devils host the Stanley Cup after defeating the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and the Nets reached the NBA finals. For the second year in a row, the Nets have been in the finals of the NBA, this year against a very talented group from Texas, the San Antonio Spurs. These accomplishments have made the constituents of my State very proud, and deservedly so.

Over the last 9 years, the New Jersey Devils have won the NHL Stanley cup three times--as much as my team in hockey. During that time, a stifling defense led by Scott Stevens, the playmaking abilities Patrik Elias and Scott Gomez, and the superb goaltending of Martin Brodeur have become the standards of excellence in the National Hockey League.

At the same time, the New Jersey Nets have become one of the most successful teams in the NBA, winning the Eastern Conference Championship each of the last 2 years, led by the outstanding play of Jason Kidd, in my view the best pointguard in the NBA.

The Devils and the Nets both play at the Continental Airline Arena in East Rutherford, NJ, a town of about 10,000 folks. Many think it is the nexus of the sporting universe. We would like to see some of the Olympics in 2012. That is right, even though some of my colleagues from Texas might dispute some of that view.

It is a great organization that happens to own both teams, the Devils and the Nets. They go beyond their supporting crowds. Both teams are actively involved in the community and give a tremendous amount back to it. Patrik Elias helps support Transplant Speakers International, an organization that raises funds and awareness for organ transplants. Dikembe Mutombo helped dedicate the Nets Reading and Learning Center at the Hudson County Boys and Girls Club in Jersey City. Over and over again the players have helped in our disadvantaged schools and communities. They are terrific.

I mention one individual who sets a standard for excellence in business and in sports. That is the general manager--surprisingly, of both teams--Lou Lamoriello, whose dual role is unique in the sporting world. Quite frankly, I think he is the best in the business because he sets a standard not only on the basketball court and hockey wing but in how he operates in the communities, giving back and expecting people to behave and operate in a class way.

This is a terrific credit to an organization, to the teams, and most particularly to fans who have supported them. New Jersey sometimes does not get the kind of recognition it needs. These two organizations have done that through dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship. They have achieved great success. I congratulate them.

I yield to my colleague from New Jersey.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the resolution and preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record, without intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, is that reserving the time that was immediately available? I am a little concerned. If the Senator from North Dakota has that, I want to honor that. If not, we might take a little more time than 10 minutes.

I thank my colleague and friend from New Jersey for his enthusiasm. I know he often gets on an airplane no matter what time, as long as our business here is done, and he gets up there, maybe sometimes in the fourth quarter of a game. But he gets there and roots the Nets on.

I am pleased to note the great sports accomplishments of two New Jersey teams in recent weeks. I support this resolution. I congratulate the New Jersey Devils for winning the Stanley Cup and the New Jersey Nets for winning the NBA's Eastern Conference.

I am going to be gracious and extend my congratulations to Senator Hutchison, with whom I had a wager, because the San Antonio Spurs played wonderful basketball, as disappointing as it was to me and other New Jersey Net fans. I paid off that wager with a case of beautiful New Jersey tomatoes for our terrible loss.

Winning the Stanley Cup 3 of the last 9 years proves that the Devils are the most dominant team in hockey. I was thrilled to watch them win game 7 with a shutout by the Devils' exceptional goalie, Martin Brodeur, who recorded 7 shutouts during the playoffs alone. Special congratulations are in order for five players who have been with the team for all three championships: Brodeur, Ken Daneyko, Scott Stevens, Sergei Brylin, and Scott Niedermayer.

As mentioned by Senator Corzine, general manager Lou Lamoriello has established a culture of success in New Jersey by molding winning teams each year around this core of five. The Meadowlands, where the Continental Airlines Arena is located, is no safe haven for opponents. Our Devils were a remarkable 12 and 1 on home ice during the playoffs. That's the most home wins in the history of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

It's nice to congratulate the New Jersey Nets, as well, because New Jersey, after all, is where the first professional basketball game was played, in Trenton, 1898. No, I don't remember it.

The Nets have been Eastern Conference champions and have played in the NBA finals for 2 years in a row. This year they compiled an amazing streak of 10 consecutive wins, sweeping past the Celtics and Detroit Pistons along the way.

Nets coach Byron Scott has led the Nets to the most wins in franchise history. The Nets, led by their superb point guard Jason Kidd, lost a tough 6-game series to the Spurs, who are undoubtedly championship material. But the Nets are in that class, as well. I hope that this team will stay intact and continue on its quest to winning an NBA title.

New Jersey is a haven for great professional sports teams, and on behalf of the whole State of New Jersey, I congratulate the Devils and Nets and wish both teams the best of luck in the future.

Reserving the right to object--and I shall not object--I want to be certain I will be recognized following the disposition of the resolution by the two Senators from New Jersey. My understanding is that I was to be recognized at this moment. They are asking for 10 minutes, combined, for this resolution. Is my understanding correct that I will be recognized by previous unanimous consent following disposition of this?

Thank you.

Mr. President, if I understand the drift of things, obviously Senators can reserve, we can work this out. I ask consent that the Senators from New Jersey be given 10 minutes to speak on a very important subject; following that, the Senator from North Dakota be authorized on his amendment to follow the order in the earlier unanimous consent.