[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO A BASEBALL GIANT

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                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 1998

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my admiration 
and deep gratitude for an outstanding athlete and a magnificent human 
being. Andre (The Hawk) Dawson. On February 21, 1998, Andre will be 
honored with a tribute for his many accomplishments in the field of 
baseball and for his achievements as a father and a mentor to thousands 
of young people who have reaped the benefits of his dedicated work in 
our community and throughout our nation.
  For his outstanding accomplishments, Southwest Miami Senior High 
School Alumni Association, will proudly induct Andre into the Southwest 
Miami Senior High School Hall of Fame. Our high school athletes will be 
performing on the playing field of ``Andre Dawson Field'', and SW 50 
Terrace (between 88 and 89 Avenue) will become ``Andre Dawson Drive''.
  Andre has dedicated his ability and love of baseball to the game, 
thus achieving a multitude of awards since 1977. He began as Rookie of 
the Year in 1977, winning the Silver Slugger Award from 1980-'87, Gold 
Glove Award, 1980-'88, Allstar Team Selection from 1980-'89, Sporting 
News Player of the year in 1987 and the National League Most Valuable 
Player Award in 1987. He played for professional baseball teams, 
including the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and the Florida Marlins.
  Andre's stellar achievements go above baseball. He is a wonderful 
role model for our young people because of his deep religious faith and 
his commitment to family and community. He has worked tirelessly 
through fundraising events to raise money for childrens' benefits and 
making appearances on behalf of childrens' causes. He devotes much of 
his time to the Jimmy Ryce Foundation, a foundation formed to find 
missing children, and he has raised money for Alzheimer's disease 
research. He also has a private Andre Dawson Foundation, which is 
dedicated to helping the needy.
  Andre is truly deserving of his upcoming honor. He has been blessed 
with a great talent, a compassionate heart, and a passion for helping 
his fellow man. We have been blessed to have Andre Dawson as our hero 
on and off the field.

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