The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“HONORING WILLIAM ``BILL'' RUSSELL” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E565 on March 30, 2011.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING WILLIAM ``BILL'' RUSSELL
______
HON. BARBARA LEE
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary career of basketball Hall of Famer and America's 2010 Medal of Freedom Award Recipient, Mr. William ``Bill'' Russell. A trailblazer in both athletics and civil rights, Mr. Russell is a five-
time winner of the NBA MVP Award, a 12-time All Star, and winner of 11 NBA Championships in his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics. Today, we pay tribute to a living legend, on and off the court. Called ``The Greatest Winner of the 20th Century,'' by HBO Sports and ``The Greatest Team Player on the Greatest Team of All Time,'' by Sports Illustrated, Bill Russell's colleagues, friends and family also know him simply as a great human being.
Born February 12, 1934 in West Monroe, Louisiana to Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Katie Russell, Bill moved with his family to Oakland, California at the age of eight. A promising athlete at a young age, he subsequently led the University of San Francisco to NCAA Championships in 1955 and 1956, and was drafted soon after. In 1956, he also led the United States Olympic basketball team to a gold medal as team captain.
Over the years, Mr. Russell captivated fans across the nation with 14,522 career points, 21,620 career rebounds and 4,100 career assists with the Boston Celtics. Noted as the best defensive player in NBA history, Mr. Russell continued his career by becoming the first African-American head coach in American major league sports with the 1967 Boston Celtics. He also coached the Seattle Supersonics from 1973 to 1977 and the Sacramento Kings from 1987 to 1988.
Following his coaching career, Mr. Russell served his community as an active philanthropist, author and public speaker. Having been the first NBA player to visit Africa in 1959, Mr. Russell later partnered with the NBA and State Department to introduce basketball to Africa as a global ambassador. He has since hosted clinics in over 50 countries on six continents. He has also served as an active member of the National Mentoring Partnership's Board of Directors. Moreover, he has joined with one of his three children, Karen, in raising national awareness and research for Sarcoidosis, a fibrotic lung disorder that affects them both.
Among Mr. Russell's numerous accolades are an honorary doctorate from Suffolk University, an honorary degree from Harvard University and the NBA's first Civil Rights Award. Also, in 2009, the NBA Finals MVP trophy was renamed: the Bill Russell NBA MVP Award.
On behalf of the residents of California's 9th congressional district, Mr. William ``Bill'' Russell, I salute you. I congratulate you on your many achievements, and I thank you for the invaluable contributions you have made to the sport of basketball, to communities of color, and to residents throughout the Bay Area. I wish you and your loved ones continued success, happiness and well-being in the coming years.
____________________
