In Honor of Gus Williams

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Gus Williams, a basketball great and New York 16th Congressional District native from Mt. Vernon, New York. Gus was born October 10, 1953, in Mt. Vernon, and his basketball talent made him one of the greatest players to ever hail from my hometown.

On the basketball court, Gus got the nickname ``The Wizard'' for his acrobatic style, speed, and incredibly accurate midrange jump shots-- none of which I have.

He led the Mt. Vernon Knights high school basketball team to a 22-1 season, winning State championship and State Player of the Year in 1971.

He went to the University of South California, where he was Most Valuable Player in 1975, went onto an NBA career with the Golden State Warriors, and then signed with the Seattle Supersonics. In 1979, Gus led the NBA Supersonics to their NBA title, averaging 28 points in their final games. The Sonics retired Gus' No. 1 jersey in 2004.

I am grateful that I got to go to high school with Gus Williams, to have seen his magic and his skill in person before the rest of the world had the opportunity.

He will be deeply missed in the Mt. Vernon community, but his memory will live on.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source