[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 91 (Thursday, July 14, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 14, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
HONORING CHRIS MORRIS AS A TRUE ROLE MODEL TO THE YOUTH OF GULFPORT, FL

                                 ______


                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 1994

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, at a time when our Nation's youth 
are searching for role models to look up to and emulate, I am proud to 
honor a very special young man from Gulfport, FL, named Chris Morris.
  Chris is a 20-year-old college sophomore who has spent 20 hours a 
week the past 4 months as a volunteer umpire in the Gulfport little 
league. What makes him special is that he is an umpire who is not only 
liked, but has become a hero to the little leaguers whose games he 
umpires.
  Following my remarks, I would like to include for the benefit of my 
colleagues an article from the July 3 edition of the St. Petersburg 
Times. In it, Larry Cooper, president of the Gulfport little league, 
says ``It is very special to have a 20-year-old dedicate his precious 
time to be with kids. What he is doing is portraying a different ideal 
for young people today, and I think kids respond to that.''
  They respond all right and in very positive way. Mr. Cooper says that 
when Chris gets done calling a game, the kids surround him asking for 
autographs. ``I've never seen anything like it,'' he says.
  The Gulfport little league has nominated Chris as District 5 Little 
League Volunteer of the Year. Regardless of the outcome, the most 
important judges of all, the ballplayers of Gulfport, agree that Chris 
is their umpire of the year.
  Mr. Speaker, Chris Morris is an example of how we can impress upon 
our Nation's youth the importance of building character and 
responsibility. He's out on the field with them everyday being a 
positive role model who will have a lasting effect on these players the 
rest of their lives. I salute Chris Morris for his service to the 
Gulfport little league and more importantly, for making such an 
important contribution to the youth of our community.

             [From the St. Petersburg Times, July 3, 1994]

                                The Ump

                            (By Roger Mills)

       Gulfport.--It was a typical Friday night. Chris Morris, the 
     teenager, was hanging with ``the boys,'' sitting on an 
     arbitrary street corner, not bothering anyone. Then, there 
     was a scuffle between two young men. It turned into a brawl, 
     and was soon followed by the sirens of approaching police 
     cars.
       Morris remained seated, while many of his friends 
     scampered. He had no reason to run, he said, no reason to be 
     afraid. He had done nothing. He explained that to the police 
     officers and walked home without incident. It was the right 
     call. But then, it appears Morris knows how to make the right 
     call.
       ``I suppose when I think of those times, I think that I was 
     fortunate,'' Morris said. ``I've always had the discipline to 
     know what's the right thing to do and the right way to act. I 
     hope to be that way for the rest of my life.''
       So far, things are off to a good start.
       Morris no longer hangs with the boys--he is otherwise 
     occupied. During the past three months, the 20-year-old from 
     Gulfport spent four days a week, for as much as 20 hours, 
     calling balls and strikes as a volunteer umpire in the 22-
     team Gulfport Little League.
       He worked almost every day of this year's regular season--
     which began March 5 and finished June 4--and will continue to 
     umpire any games associated with Gulfport until the end of 
     summer, when he expects to return to Saint Leo College in 
     Pasco County for his sophomore year.
       This fall, Morris will suit up with Saint Leo's basketball 
     team as a backup point guard. But he admits that his real 
     passion is umpiring Little Leaguers.
       ``I know it doesn't seem right for someone who can play 
     both baseball and basketball to want to umpire, but I just 
     enjoy it,'' Morris said. ``I enjoy seeing the kids' 
     reactions, and they seem to enjoy the way I umpire.''
       It has been seven years since Morris put away his cleats 
     and glove and began his umpiring career, and during that time 
     he has made as many friends as he has called players out on a 
     third strike. The ride has been fulfilling and rewarding for 
     all those involved.
       ``It's very special to have a 20-year-old dedicate (his) 
     precious time to be with kids,'' said Larry Cooper, president 
     of the Gulfport league. ``At that age, most young men are 
     thinking about other things. He could be out doing so many 
     things--working a job, chasing girls, running the streets. 
     But instead, he devotes his time to a non-paying role. That's 
     very unusual.
       ``What he is doing is portraying a different ideal for 
     young people today, and I think the kids respond to that.''
       Morris' play calling quickly became legendary, not only 
     among the players and coaches of Gulfport, but among 
     neighboring and rival leagues, Cooper said.
       ``Other leagues have been trying to get to him for some 
     time. He is known all over District 5 as one of the best 
     umpires in the game,'' Cooper said. ``When he gets done 
     calling a game, the kids surround him asking for autographs. 
     I've never seen anything like it.''
       Morris said the response is flattering but it is not the 
     only reason he participates. He remembers his playing days in 
     the Gulfport league and said that kids only need proper role 
     models to set them straight. It happened with him, and he 
     feels a sense of obligation to give something back.
       ``I remember how important Little League was to me, and I 
     think I just want to repay them for that,'' he said. ``As for 
     the kids, they all look up to me like I'm a role model. They 
     are so much fun to be with, in fact, often I feel like I see 
     myself on the field again.''
       Morris, who graduated in 1992 from Boca Ciega High School, 
     where he played baseball and basketball, wants to be a 
     chiropractor. But he said the two years of high school ROTC 
     have prepared him for a career in the military.
       ``What I like about the military is the sense of 
     discipline,'' Morris said. ``It's all about discipline. My 
     mom always told me to be disciplined. I have to give her all 
     the credit for that.''
       Some credit seems to be coming Morris' way. Cooper recently 
     nominated Morris as District 5 Little League Volunteer of the 
     Year. Morris will be judged by a Little League selection 
     committee from about 20 district nominees throughout the 
     state. The state's winner will move on to consideration in 
     the 16-state South regional competition.
       ``You don't just nominate a person because it's the thing 
     to do,'' said Paul Pollard, administrator for District 5. 
     ``It's an honor to be nominated. That person has to be one 
     who goes out of one's way to improve Little League.
       ``There are a lot of parents who give up as many as 15 
     hours for Little League, but that's because they have 
     children playing. What we look for is someone who has nothing 
     to gain. We think (Chris) is that guy.''
       ``To tell you the truth, I was shocked,'' Morris said about 
     the nomination. ``I never really thought about it. But I'll 
     admit, it takes time and effort. The kids make it easy for me 
     to volunteer. They have confidence in me behind the plate, 
     and I know I can trust them.''
       Pollard said many districts have yet to nominate someone 
     for the award, which will be announced in three weeks. But 
     Pollard said Morris' contribution this year makes him the 
     front-runner.
       ``I think he has about a 70 to 80 percent chance of winning 
     this award,'' Pollard said. ``What he has done this year has 
     been very special.''

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