Congratulating the Portland Trail Blazers on the 50th anniversary of their inaugural season.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 69 Congratulating the Portland Trail Blazers on the 50th anniversary of their inaugural season. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OCTOBER 23, 2019 Mr. BLUMENAUER (for himself, Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. WALDEN, Mr. DEFAZIO, and Mr. SCHRADER) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Congratulating the Portland Trail Blazers on the 50th anniversary of their inaugural season. Whereas the Portland Trail Blazers have proudly and ener- getically represented Oregon’s pioneering spirit on the national basketball stage since 1970; Whereas the signature phrase ‘‘Rip City’’, coined by long- time announcer Bill Schonely, has come to represent the city of Portland and Trail Blazers fans throughout Or- egon; Whereas dedicated administrators Harry Glickman and Larry Weinberg worked behind the scenes to establish a sus- tainable and beloved franchise; Whereas the Blazers, as they are known, won their first Na- tional Basketball Association title in 1977; VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:41 Oct 24, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC69.IH HC69 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HCON 69 IH Whereas Bill Walton, colorful personality and backbone of the franchise, was named the Most Valuable Player for the NBA Finals that year, and won the NBA League MVP Award in 1978; Whereas the Blazers and their fans own the longest ever streak of consecutive sold-out NBA games, at 814 games; Whereas history-making players including Geoff Petrie, Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, and Arvydas Sabonis powered the Blazers through the first quarter century of their exist- ence; Whereas 21 consecutive playoff appearances (1983 to 2003) by the Blazers ranks 2nd all-time in NBA history; Whereas Blazers Brandon Roy and Rasheed Wallace rep- resented Oregon nationally as All-Stars in 2008 and 2001, respectively, demonstrating that the talent of the Blazers had not waned; Whereas Damian Lillard and Brandon Roy blazed into their NBA careers with Rookie of the Year honors in 2012 and 2006, respectively, representing Portland as a hub for dedicated basketball stars; Whereas Damian Lillard and his outstanding teammates have lifted this franchise back into the realm of deep playoff runs, including last year’s strong showing in the Western Conference Finals; Whereas the owner and benefactor of the Blazers for 30 years, Paul Allen, is deeply missed after his death on Oc- tober 18, 2018; and Whereas the Portland Trail Blazers have brought Oregonians together for 50 years, each year generating as much ex- citement, hope, and promise as the first year: Now, there- fore, be it VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:41 Oct 24, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC69.IH HC69 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HCON 69 IH Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 1 concurring), That Congress— 2 (1) recognizes the Portland Trail Blazers for 3 embarking upon their 50th season; 4 (2) congratulates all players, administrators, 5 and fans of the Portland Trail Blazers for half a 6 century of dedication to the sport and franchise; 7 (3) joins Oregonians and Blazers fans every- 8 where to celebrate Rip City’s 50th anniversary; and 9 (4) directs the Clerk of the House to produce 10 copies of this resolution for the Portland Trail Blaz- 11 ers team members, staff, and management. 12 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:41 Oct 24, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HC69.IH HC69 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with BILLS