Ross, Jolly and Bilirakis Wager Florida Goods in Friendly Bet with Illinois Representatives over Stanley Cup

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (FL-15), along with fellow Florida Members of Congress, Reps. David Jolly (FL-13) and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), has wagered home state goods in a friendly Stanley Cup bet against Illinois colleagues, Reps. Randy Hultgren (IL-14), Mike Quigley (IL-5), Danny Davis (IL-7) and Rodney Davis (IL-13). U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi helped finalize the bet with a "puck drop." Tonight, the Tampa Bay Lightning will face the Chicago Blackhawks for the first of a best-of-seven game series for the Stanley Cup, the National Hockey League's (NHL) championship prize.

"The only thing sweeter than my wager of Florida's fresh squeezed orange juice and Ybor City cigars will be the massive victory parade and celebration back home when the Tampa Bay Lightning win the Stanley Cup," said Rep. Ross. "As the song goes, "if you don't believe me, just watch!' I look forward to a great series. Go Bolts!"

"We have the best beaches in the world and soon we'll have the Stanley Cup too, " said Rep. Jolly. "I'm offering up tasty grouper sandwiches in our bet with the Illinois Congressional delegation but the reality is we'll be dining on Chicago deep dish pizza in just a few days. And don't worry Blackhawks fans about not getting seats at Amalie Arena, we're sparing you the agony of watching another electrifying Lightning win. Go Bolts!"

"The Chicago Blackhawks are on the verge of winning three Stanley Cups in six years, dominating the NHL," said Rep. Hultgren. "In a friendly wager, I'm willing to offer up Portillo's Italian Beef and Graham's Chocolate in full confidence our Hawks will emerge victorious over Tampa Bay. May the best team win. Go Hawks!"

"I have confidence the Lightning will win in 6 games; so much so that I will wager authentic Tarpon Springs Sponges and baklava. I am looking forward to celebrating the Bolts' victory by sinking my teeth into a juicy sandwich from Portillo's," Rep. Bilirakis said.

"I'm looking forward to an exciting Stanley Cup Final series. Tampa Bay has a great team, and we Chicagoans respect the proud tradition of the Lightning being one of the NHL's original 30. But I'm calling the Hawks in 6 and looking forward to eating a delicious grouper sandwich from Congressman Jolly when it happens," said Rep. Quigley.

"The last time the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup, the iPhone hadn't been invented yet," said Rep. Rodney Davis. "As part of a friendly wager with my colleagues from Florida, I'm offering up some Del's Popcorn from Decatur, IL. Looking forward to a great series and some delicious Sunshine-state products. Go Hawks!"