Quigley Honors Hawks in House
CHICAGO - Today, after riding in Chicago's ticker-tape parade and rally, Congressman and die-hard Blackhawks fan Mike Quigley (D-IL) announced the introduction of the following resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives:
"CONGRATULATING THE CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS ON WINNING THE 2010 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONSHIP
Whereas the historic Chicago Blackhawks, as one of the "Original Six, have made countless contributions to sports;
Whereas the Blackhawks and the National Hockey League have demonstrated a commitment to promoting fitness and leadership skills for youth through support for youth hockey programs and community skating facilities;
Whereas with 101 straight home game sellouts, and an N.H.L. leading regular-season average attendance of 21,356, the Blackhawks are the pride of their hometown, Chicago, Illinois;
Whereas in just three years, the Blackhawks organization of Rocky Wirtz, Joel Quenneville, John McDonough, Stan Bowman, Scotty Bowman, Jay Blunk, and Dale Tallon have revitalized a franchise and reminded Chicago that it has always been a hockey town;
Whereas the Chicago Blackhawks, through amazing offense, superb defense, and unmatched depth, dominated the regular season and won 52 games;
Whereas the Blackhawks defeated the Nashville Predators in six games, the Vancouver Canucks in six games, and swept the number one seeded San Jose Sharks to become the Western Conference champions and advance to the Stanley Cup Final;
Whereas in the Stanley Cup Final series the Blackhawks held off the aggressive play and talent of the Eastern Conference Champion Philadelphia Flyers, who deserve great credit, to win in overtime, and provide one of the most exciting final series in recent history;
Whereas the innumerable contributions from every player, coach, and the entire Blackhawks family have ended the 49 year long championship drought and brought the roar back to Madison Street and Lord Stanley's Cup to where it belongs, sweet home Chicago: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved that the House of Representatives "
(1) recognizes the Chicago Blackhawks for their long distinguished history, countless contributions to sports, and their many successes as a franchise;
(2) congratulate the Blackhawks on amazing season and on winning the 2010 Stanley Cup Championship;
(3) recognize the players, coaches, and leadership of the Blackhawks organization; and
(4) joins with all people in the United States and hockey fans all over the world in celebrating the return of the Stanley Cup to Chicago, Illinois"
After watching the Blackhawks prevail in Philadelphia on Wednesday night and getting to hoist the Stanley Cup himself, Quigley delivered a speech on the House floor the next morning. Video of yesterday's speech is available here.
Photo of Rep. Quigley with the Cup is available here.
Last fall, when Quigley enumerated the Top Ten Reasons to love Chicago, he closed his speech by saying, "I look forward to coming back next summer with Chicago's Stanley Cup."
Quigley still plays hockey regularly in Chicago and Washington. He recently played in a charity game at the United Center against the Blackhawks alumni, as well as a "Lawmakers vs. Lobbyists match-up in Washington. He is a co-chair of the Congressional Hockey Caucus, a bipartisan group dedicated to combating childhood obesity while promoting exercise, teamwork, discipline, and commitment through hockey. He has been a lifelong Chicago Blackhawks fan.