[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 117 (Monday, September 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN MEMORY OF MARK HOLTZ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 1997

  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Mark Holtz, 
whose untimely passing yesterday will be mourned by many throughout 
North Texas.
  Many players, coaches, and managers wore the Texas Rangers uniform 
over the last 17 years, through good seasons and bad. But there was 
always one constant: Mark Holtz--the voice of the Rangers.
  He and his broadcast partner of many seasons, Eric Nadel, brightened 
North Texas nights year in and year out with their seamless calls of 
Rangers games. The bonds baseball fans throughout the region felt with 
him were so strong that it was as though a member of their family had 
joined them each night on the radio from the ballpark.
  And when the Rangers struggled through a losing season, Mark's call 
of the game made listening to the game a pleasure in itself, even if 
the outcome on the field was not.
  But the Rangers have been much improved over the last few years, and 
fittingly, the last game he worked this past May was a Rangers victory. 
After the game, Mark was able to sign off the broadcast with his 
trademark ``Hello, win column!'' he uttered after each win for the home 
team.
  After that final game, Mark left the broadcast booth so that he could 
battle leukemia. During his courageous battle, thousands of Rangers 
fans signed a giant get-well card for Mark, demonstrating the deep 
feelings which many throughout North Texas had for him.
  Mark will be missed dearly by those who had the pleasure of listening 
to his distinctive voice on the airwaves. As Rangers president Tom 
Schieffer noted, Mark ``brought us joy and laughter about the game of 
baseball. He will be missed sorely. We are not likely to see his kind 
again.''

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