Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) was among 413 members of the U.S. House of Representatives today in voting for House Resolution 566 to congratulate the Los Angeles Lakers on winning their 15th NBA World Championship title.  Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard submitted the following tribute to the Los Angeles Lakers into the congressional record:

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Los Angeles Lakers, on winning the 2009 National Basketball Association Championship.  This is their 15th NBA World Championship title.

I congratulate team owner Dr. Jerry Buss, Coach Phil Jackson, his staff, and the entire Laker organization for their accomplishment in winning basketball’s coveted championship trophy.  I also congratulate the team’s captain, Kobe Bryant, on being named the first recipient of the newly-named Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. 

A few days after their championship victory, the Lakers and 250,000 of their fans, celebrated with a victory parade through the streets of Downtown Los Angeles.  The parade led to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum where 100,000 additional fans gathered to commemorate the team’s accomplishment.  People came from all over Southern California to join in the celebration. 

Madam Speaker, the Lakers have such a loyal following not only because they are champions on the court, but because they are champions in the community as well.  The team’s outreach program, the LA Lakers Youth Foundation, works with community groups to better the lives of children in our community.  The Foundation focuses on using sports to promote education, teamwork and self-esteem among Los Angeles area youth by providing financial assistance to children and local youth programs.

As part of their foundation work, the Lakers have created 12 Reading and Learning Centers at youth clubs throughout Los Angeles and Hawaii and they have sponsored several community basketball court renovations each season.  The Lakers also participate in the Toyota Project Rebound, a season-long community outreach initiative established by the NBA and Toyota. The program includes 15 hands-on community service projects that are hosted by NBA and WNBA teams.  The projects include court refurbishments, the creation of Learn & Play Centers, and other Legacy Projects providing youth safe places to live, learn or play.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating each member of the 2009 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers for their many victories on the court and in the community.  They are champions to their sports fans, to beneficiaries of their Foundation, and to the entire Los Angeles community.  We thank them for returning the NBA championship trophy where it belongs – the Los Angeles Staples Arena in my congressional district.”