MA Reps Honor Bruins with Congressional Resolution

All ten members of the Massachusetts delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives congratulated the Boston Bruins on winning the 2010- 2011 Stanley Cup by introducing H. Res 318.

“Boston has Beat L.A., Reversed the Curse, Squished the Fish, and now Vanquished Vancouver,” said Rep. Edward J. Markey, dean of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation. “Congratulations to the 2011 Stanley Cup Champions and to every Bruins fan who stuck with them since the days of Bobby Orr. After an historic 7-year run, capturing every major sports title, Boston is unmatched in professional sports in the 21st century.”

“Congratulations to our Boston Bruins, a team with great character, grit and talent,” said Rep. Michael Capuano. “You never gave up and you brought great joy to New England. Thank you for a thrilling playoff ride and for bringing the Stanley Cup back to Boston.”

“It’s hard to believe that it’s been 39 years since the Boston Bruins have brought home the Stanley Cup,” said Rep. Stephen F. Lynch. “But the way they played – coming back after being down two games to none – it was worth the wait. This team has given hockey fans throughout New England reason to be proud. The coaches and players embody the perseverance, passion and talent of true champions. I join my colleagues in congratulating all of the Bruins players, coaches and management on this amazing accomplishment.”

“Massachusetts can be very proud of the Bruins for their great win of the Stanley Cup and for all of us for the responsible way in which we showed our pride,” said Rep. Barney Frank.

“When one of the Bruins got knocked down, they all stood up and showed what it means to be a true team,” said Rep. William R. Keating.

“I congratulate the Boston Bruins on bringing the Stanley Cup back to Massachusetts. After a grueling series that went right up to the 7th game, the Bruins showed a lot of heart and determination,” said Rep. John Olver.

“The Bruins fought through three game sevens, injuries, and underdog status to bring the Stanley Cup home to Boston,” said Rep. Tsongas. “Their gritty and determined play throughout these playoffs exemplified team and rewarded generations of loyal B’s fans from across New England. Time to pump up the tires on the duck boats.”

“For the first time since 1972, when Bobby Orr and Gerry Cheevers led the Boston Bruins to victory over the New York Rangers, the Stanley Cup is finally returning to Causeway Street,” said Rep. Richard E. Neal. “In what can only be described as an epic series, the gritty Bruins outplayed their arch rival, the Vancouver Canucks, in seven games making them the new sports heroes of New England. Congratulations to Coach Claude Julien, Captain Zdeno Chara and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Tim Thomas and the entire team for an extraordinary series victory that captivated the region for weeks. It’s time to get the duck boats ready for another rolling celebration through the streets of Boston.”

“I join with my Massachusetts colleagues in congratulating the Boston Bruins on winning the Stanley Cup,” said Rep. John Tierney. “After losing the first two games of the Cup Finals, the Bruins fought back by playing hard-nosed hockey and benefiting from the brilliant goaltending of Tim Thomas, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner. B’s fans in my district and across the Commonwealth have been waiting 39 years for this moment, and I know that they and so many others were captivated by this special team.”

“I want to congratulate the Bruins for an extraordinary season,” said Rep. Jim McGovern. “Throughout the year, they have showed the value of teamwork and commitment. I look forward to seeing Lord Stanley’s cup in Massachusetts.”

Below is the text of H.Res 318, the Congressional resolution introduced by the Representatives.

“Whereas on June 15, 2011, the Boston Bruins won the 2010- 2011 Stanley Cup in a 7 game series with the Vancouver Canucks;

Whereas the Vancouver Canucks deserve immense credit for their historic performance during the 2010-2011 hockey season and post-season, in which the Canucks won the President’s Trophy for best record in the National Hockey League and made a remarkable post-season run;

Whereas the Boston Bruins victory was the first Stanley Cup for the Bruins in 39 years and the sixth title in the 87- year history of the team;

Whereas the 2010-2011 Bruins Stanley Cup team honored the careers of all former Bruins greats, including Bobby Orr, team president Cam Neely, ‘‘the Chief’’ Johnny Bucyk, Terry O’Reilly, Milt Schmidt, Eddie Shore, Raymond Bourque, and all the players who have donned a Bruins Jersey in the team’s rich history;

Whereas the Bruins were led to the Stanley Cup Finals this season by the remarkable goaltending of Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask, the outstanding leadership of Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, and Mark Recchi, and the relentless effort of Shawn Thornton, Dennis Seidenberg, David Krejci, Andrew Ference, Michael Ryder, Johnny Boychuk, Thomas Kaberle, and Vancouver native Milan Lucic;

Whereas Gregory Campbell, Dan Paille, Shawn Thornton, and Chris Kelly contributed with points, hits, energy, faceoff wins, and penalty kills to help steer the Bruins to victory;

Whereas the 2010-2011 season produced new Bruins stars, including Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley, Brad Marchand, Adam McQuaid, and Nathan Horton who, despite missing the final 4 games of the historic Stanley Cup run with a severe concussion, scored two heroic game 7 winning goals against Montreal and Tampa Bay to put the Bruins in position to win their first title in 39 years;

Whereas the Bruins, in front of playoff MVP net minder Tim Thomas who broke the record for the most saves in play- off history, allowed just 8 goals over the 7 game Stanley Cup Final;

Whereas Patrice Bergeron displayed incredible determination over the course of four seasons, battling back from two major concussions and after suffering another head in- jury in game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, to score the game winning goal of game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final;

Whereas Mark Recchi, who won the Stanley Cup for the third time in his career, displayed tremendous leadership and set an example for the team’s corps of young players by contributing three points in game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals to force a decisive game 7 in Vancouver;

Whereas Bruins coach Claude Julien joins the legendary Art Ross and Tom Johnson on an exclusive list of Bruins coaches to win the Stanley Cup;

Whereas Peter Chiarelli, General Manager for the Boston Bruins, built a team centered on hard work, sacrifice, and physical play;

Whereas Massachusetts is the only state to have sports teams win the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL championships in the 21st century:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) congratulates—

(A) the Boston Bruins for winning the 2010-2011 National Hockey League Stanley Cup and the players, coaches, support staff, owners, and executives whose ability, hard work, dedication, and spirit made this season possible; and

(B) the Vancouver Canucks for their extraordinary success during the 2010-2011 season in winning the President’s Trophy and the Western Conference Championship; and

(2) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to—

(A) Bruins coach Claude Julien;

(B) Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli;

(C) Bruins president Cameron Neely; and

(D) Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs

– Information from US Rep. Edward Markey (D-Malden)