Press Releases

2011 NBA Conference Champions Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat Spur Congressional Rivalry

(Tuesday, May 31, 2011) – The 2011 NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat has prompted a rivalry between Congresswomen Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30) and Frederica Wilson (FL-17) as they make a friendly wager on who will win the NBA Championship.

If the Mavericks win, Congresswoman Wilson provides the 30^th Congressional of Texas Representative with a taste of seafood from Miami. If the Heat wins, Congresswoman Johnson owes the 17^th Congressional Representative of Florida an authentic Texas barbeque dinner.

“Miami will feel the real effects of the ‘Texas Heat’ when Dirk and company do an old fashioned Texas round-up of Miami’s new talents,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “And with this bet, I look forward to capping off a fantastic season with some classic Miami food and much deserved words of praise from my friend, Congresswoman Wilson. Go Mavs!”

“In the words of Lebron James, I can’t wait for our team to take their talents to Dallas. It may be hot in Texas, but I don’t think the Mavs will be able to handle the ‘Heat’ this time,” said Congresswoman Wilson. “Go Miami!”

Besides sharing a passion for basketball, both Congresswomen Johnson and Wilson are active members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and are looking forward to representing the winners in the finals.

Rep. Frederica S. Wilson is a first-term congresswoman representing the 17^th District of Florida, including Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward Counties. She is a former state legislator and school principal and the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school.