[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 137 (Wednesday, September 6, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S12679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      A TRIBUTE TO CAL RIPKEN, JR.

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I join with all Americans to applaud the 
tremendous achievement of Baltimore Orioles shortstop, Cal Ripken, Jr. 
Tonight, Cal will play in his 2,131st consecutive major league baseball 
game, eclipsing the previous record set by the immortal Yankee great, 
Lou Gehrig, in 1939.
  I commend Cal not just for the singular distinction of being 
baseball's all-time iron man, but the way he achieved it: with class 
and with dignity. His approach to baseball is the approach hard-working 
Americans take to their professions--each and every day he goes out and 
tries to do his best not just for himself but for his coworkers, his 
team. He doesn't try to be flashy or flamboyant. He quietly and 
consistently goes out and gets the job done. And for nearly 13 seasons 
without missing a game, he has done just that--he got the job done.
  Cal also recognizes that being a baseball player also means being a 
role model to millions of youngsters. Cal plays his life off the field 
the same way he plays on the field--with tireless energy and quiet 
excellence. He devotes time to numerous charities in his community. He 
spends countless hours signing autographs and working with young people 
on how to be both good ballplayers and good citizens. Most important, 
Cal Ripken is a husband and father of two children. When asked about 
how important this day is to him, Cal was said to have replied that it 
was indeed a big day because he was driving his daughter, Rachel, to 
her first day at school.
  I commend Cal Ripken, Jr., and wish him well. Tonight, he will make 
history as baseball's most consistent, hardworking ballplayer. For 
myself and on behalf of all South Dakotans, I applaud him for that. I 
also applaud him for demonstrating that same consistency, that same 
hardworking spirit off the field as well.


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