III 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 281 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 26, 2007 Ms. Mikulski (for herself, Mr. Cardin, and Mr. Schumer) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Congratulating Cal Ripken Jr. for his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, for an outstanding career as an athlete, and for his contributions to baseball and to his community.

Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. was born and raised in Maryland; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 9, 2007, his first year of eligibility, for his outstanding accomplishments during his 21-year career in Major League Baseball; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 29, 2007, along with fellow baseball legend Tony Gwynn; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. was nearly unanimously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with the highest number of votes ever received for a regular position player; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. is widely considered the Iron Man of baseball, having earned this moniker by playing in 2,632 consecutive games, a feat unmatched in professional sports; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1982; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. had 3,184 career hits and 431 home runs and received 8 Silver Slugger Awards for his superior offensive play; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. is first among the all-time Baltimore Orioles career leaders in total games played, consecutive games played, at bats, hits, runs, runs batted in, extra base hits, doubles, home runs, total bases, walks, strikeouts, assists, and double plays; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. is first among all Major League Baseball players in the number of consecutive games played and the number of double plays by a shortstop; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. is the all-time leader in Major League Baseball All-Star fan balloting, has made the most Major League Baseball All-Star Game appearances at shortstop, and has made the most consecutive Major League Baseball All-Star Game starts; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. has not only proven to be a great hitter but a great defensive player, winning 2 Gold Glove awards; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. was selected to play on 19 All-Star teams throughout his career and was twice voted All-Star Game Most Valuable Player; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. helped the Baltimore Orioles win the World Series in 1983; Whereas, in an era when money dominated the game of baseball, Cal Ripken, Jr. chose to play in Baltimore for the Baltimore Orioles when it was believed that he could have earned more money with another team in another city; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. is an example of good sportsmanship who has always conducted himself with dignity; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. is a role model for young people and for all the people of the United States; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr., along with his family and the Ripkin Baseball organization, is a philanthropist dedicated to the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, which gives underprivileged children the opportunity to attend baseball camps around the country; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. operates baseball camps and designs baseball fields for youth, college, and professional teams; Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. gives speeches about his time in baseball and some of the lessons he has learned; Whereas, in 1992, Cal Ripken, Jr. was awarded Major League Baseball's Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award and the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award for his community involvement; and Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. has been selected for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)congratulates Cal Ripken, Jr. for his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame; (2)honors Cal Ripkin, Jr. for an outstanding career as an athlete; and (3)thanks Cal Ripkin, Jr. for his contributions to baseball and to his community.