Smith`s Floor Statement Honoring David Robinson
Washington,
Jun 19, 2003 -
This year’s NBA Champion, the San Antonio Spurs, showed America their determination and their character. They never gave in or gave up, and that is why they are champions today.
Owner Peter Holt, Coach Gregg Popovich, and the Spurs players provided the city of San Antonio with an unforgettable season of basketball excellence that will be remembered for years. They deserve the thanks of our grateful city.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to say a few words about Spurs Center David Robinson. It is fitting that he closed his storybook career as an NBA Champion. Few players represent their teams and their cities with such class and dignity.
We all agree that David Robinson achieved greatness on the basketball court. But what is less known to the general public is that David Robinson is a man who cares deeply about the city of San Antonio and the education of our children.
Through the David Robinson Foundation, he donated $9 million toward the construction and operation of The Carver Academy, a school on the east side of San Antonio that opened in the fall of 2001. David Robinson serves as the school’s chairman. The donation is believed to be the largest ever made by a professional athlete.
Named for George Washington Carver, the school serves elementary-age students from a culturally diverse community. The core curriculum focuses on excellence in reading and language arts, social studies, math, science, technology, fine arts, athletics, and foreign languages including German, Japanese and Spanish.
David Robinson`s community involvement is extensive. At Spurs home games he reserved special seats for underprivileged families. He has contributed to the homeless, children’s charities and hurricane victims.
In 1991 he promised 94 fifth graders at San Antonio’s Gates Elementary School a $2,000 college scholarship if they finished high school. In 1998, 50 students graduated at a ceremony attended by Robinson.
In 1992, David Robinson and his wife, Valerie, started their Foundation, which supports programs that address the physical and spiritual needs of the family.
He said their goal is "to build a foundation for future generations. We want to make these children the heroes of tomorrow, by teaching them principles of integrity, discipline and faith."
Fittingly, David Robinson has been described as “The Goliath of Giving.”
Every community in America needs a David Robinson. San Antonio has been blessed by his generosity, thoughtfulness and compassion.
Mr. Speaker, David Robinson’s extraordinary ability will be missed on the basketball court. But it is off the court where his work continues to give others the opportunity to seek a better, brighter future.
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