[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 149 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FLORIDA MARLINS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 29, 1997

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud Baseball's 1997 World 
Series Champions, the Florida Marlins. As a representative of South 
Florida and a native of Dade County, I am delighted to call the Marlins 
my ``home team''.
  From the magnificent bald eagle's graceful flight into Pro Player 
Stadium to open Game One until Edgar Renteria's winning hit in the 11th 
inning of Game Seven, the World Series highlighted all that is great 
about the Florida Marlins and their fans. In five short years, this 
upstart expansion team has done what no other Major League team could 
do. The Marlins organization combined the talent, dedication, heart and 
fan support, to win not just the National League pennant, but to 
achieve the consummate prize in baseball.
  This accomplishment was made possible through teamwork. The dream 
began with owners Wayne and Marti Huizenga and with Carl Barger. Team 
manager Jim Leyland and the players took on the challenge, and the 
organization and the fans provided the support and cheered them on. The 
Marlins are a team of destiny in the greatest sense of the word. 
Everyone involved since Day One made a crucial contribution to the 
team, and the result was the World Series Championship.
  Mr. Speaker, the Florida Marlins fans are some of the most impressive 
I have ever seen. Each Series game at Pro Player broke the attendance 
record for the one before it, and last night's Rally broke all previous 
attendance records. The Miami Herald said it best: ``nearly 70,000 
South Florida baseball fans exploded, drunk on the joy that comes with 
earning baseball's biggest gleaming trophy.''
  Well done, Florida Marlins. The spirit of Carl Barger lives on, and 
your fans will never forget the thrill.

                          ____________________