[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 439 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 439

  Honoring the life and career of Willie Shoemaker and expressing the 
 condolences of the House of Representatives to his family and friends 
                             on his death.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 10, 2003

    Mr. Reyes (for himself and Mr. Dreier) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Honoring the life and career of Willie Shoemaker and expressing the 
 condolences of the House of Representatives to his family and friends 
                             on his death.

Whereas Willie Shoemaker was born Billie Lee Shoemaker on August 19, 1931, in 
        Fabens, Texas;
Whereas Willie Shoemaker, nicknamed the ``Shoe'', is arguably the most 
        successful jockey in the history of horse racing;
Whereas Willie Shoemaker won his first race at the age of 18 and had compiled 
        8,833 victories by the time he retired in 1990;
Whereas in 1970, Willie Shoemaker became the all-time leader in career wins by 
        surpassing John Longden's total of 6,033 wins;
Whereas on March 3, 1985, while riding Lord at War at the Santa Anita Handicap, 
        Willie Shoemaker became the first jockey to total $100,000,000 in purse 
        winnings;
Whereas Willie Shoemaker held the record for career wins for 29 years;
Whereas Willie Shoemaker won four Kentucky Derbies, five Belmont Stakes, and 
        three Preakness Stakes;
Whereas Willie Shoemaker was the oldest jockey to ride a winner in the Kentucky 
        Derby and the Breeder's Cup;
Whereas at Santa Anita in 1990, Willie Shoemaker ran the final race of his 
        storied 41-year career;
Whereas Willie Shoemaker is a member of thoroughbred racing's Hall of Fame and 
        the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame;
Whereas on April 8, 1991, just over a year after his retirement, Willie 
        Shoemaker was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed from 
        the neck down;
Whereas Willie Shoemaker was an honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors of 
        the Paralysis Project of America, whose mission is to accelerate 
        progress toward finding a cure for paralysis caused by spinal cord 
        injury; and
Whereas on October 13, 2003, America was saddened by the death of Willie 
        Shoemaker at the age of 72: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors the life and legendary career in horse racing of 
        Willie Shoemaker; and
            (2) expresses condolences on the passing of Willie 
        Shoemaker to his family and friends.
                                 <all>