[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 25, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1325-E1326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TO RECOGNIZE THE INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER OF LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL 
                              INCORPORATED

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOSEPH M. McDADE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 1997

  Mr. McDADE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to invite my colleagues to join 
with me in supporting Little League Baseball by cosponsoring the 
resolution I have introduced to recognize the international character 
of Little League Baseball Incorporated.
  In 1964, Little League Baseball was incorporated by the Congress in 
Public Law 88-378. The Little League Baseball incorporating legislation 
was approved unanimously in both the House and the Senate. It was 
signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 16, 1964.

[[Page E1326]]

  At that time, we in the Congress recognized the unique contribution 
of Little League Baseball to our Nation's young people. Little League 
involvement has long provided a valuable outlet for healthy activity 
and training under good leadership in the atmosphere of wholesome 
community participation for generations of Americans. It teaches not 
just the rudiments of the game but the basics of teamwork and fair play 
that children need to become good and decent citizens.
  The original law set out the objective and purpose of Little League 
Baseball. It was ``to promote, develop, supervise, and voluntarily 
assist in all lawful ways the interest of boys who will participate in 
Little League baseball.''
  Today, Little League Baseball Incorporated is active in promoting and 
supervising youth--both boys and girls--worldwide in participating in 
Little League. It has chartered more than 18,000 baseball or softball 
leagues in 85 countries, across six continents.
  Little League Baseball is planning a new facility--the Little League 
Baseball European Leadership Training Center--which will provide a home 
for clinics and training programs and will serve as the site for the 
European Little League Baseball playoffs. It is to be located in Kutno, 
Poland.
  The Center will be a 35-acre complex to host baseball sports clinics, 
adult volunteer training programs as well as youth development 
programs.
  Unfortunately, although the Polish Little League Baseball Foundation 
established to direct the construction of the facilities and playing 
fields in Kutno is a nonprofit organization, they are being denied an 
exemption from the Polish Value-Added Tax.
  Since the Polish Finance Ministry does not classify Little League 
Baseball as an international organization, the VAT will be applied to 
the approximately $4 million for the project.
  The application of the VAT could cost this charitable organization up 
to $880,000.
  Let's clarify for the world to know--Little League Baseball 
Incorporated is a worldwide, international organization. It should be 
accorded all of the benefits and privileges available to 
nongovernmental international organizations.
  I'd ask all my colleagues to cosponsor this resolution to say to the 
Polish Finance Ministry--Let's play ball!

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