[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THE TRI-VALLEY TIGERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL BAKER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 4, 1996

  Mr. BAKER of California. Mr. Speaker, in the past year, America has 
witnessed Cal Ripken become the new Iron Man, Michael Jordan return to 
basketball, and the centennial Olympic games take place in Atlanta. 
These have been signal events in modern sports history.
  Yet for my own home region, the East Bay of San Francisco, an even 
more exciting event took place when, in late August, the Alacosta Tri-
Valley Tigers took second in the U.S. National Babe Ruth Tournament in 
Manteo, NC. The Tigers are a Babe Ruth team that posted an undefeated 
regular season record and an overall record of 59-5. In addition, they 
won the State and regional titles on the way to the contest for the 
national title.
  Ranging in ages from 16 to 18, these 17 young men and their four 
coaches have brought pride and dedication to their remarkable efforts. 
They learned the value of team commitment, of hard, concentrated 
effort, and had a lot of fun along the way. Their performance in post-
season play was outstanding, and as runners-up in the national 
championship game, they brought great credit to themselves, their 
coaches, and to the whole East Bay.
  While there may be momentary disappointment over not winning the 
national title itself, this in no way diminishes the sterling 
performance of the Tigers at every level of play. Along with their 
parents and neighbors, I am very proud of each of them and am pleased 
to recognize them in the Congressional Record for their sportsmanship, 
tenacity, and all-around excellence.
  As Ernie Banks might say, when it comes to the Tri-Valley Tigers, 
``Let's play two.''

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