[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 15, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H7766-H7768]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H7766]]
  CONGRATULATING MARK MC GWIRE FOR BREAKING THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 
                     SINGLE-SEASON HOME RUN RECORD

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on 
Government Reform and Oversight be discharged from further 
consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 520) congratulating Mark 
McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals for breaking the Major League 
Baseball single-season home run record, and ask for its immediate 
consideration in the House.
  Mr. Speaker, I further ask unanimous consent that the debate on the 
resolution be confined to 40 minutes, equally divided between myself 
and the gentleman from Maryland, (Mr. Cummings).
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 520

       Whereas the game of baseball is America's national pastime;
       Whereas one of the grandest records in baseball, and indeed 
     in all sport, is the record for the most home runs hit in a 
     single Major League Baseball season;
       Whereas during the 1998 Major League Baseball season, Mark 
     McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals and other fine players 
     have challenged the Major League Baseball single-season home 
     run record, bringing great excitement to the 1998 Major 
     League Baseball season and capturing the imagination of the 
     people of the United States and baseball fans around the 
     world;
       Whereas Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals has been 
     subjected to intense pressure and media scrutiny, but has 
     conducted himself with uncommon grace, class, and dignity, 
     and has been a first-rate role model for the young people of 
     St. Louis, the State of Missouri, and the United States; and
       Whereas on September 8, 1998, Mark McGwire of the St. Louis 
     Cardinals hit his 62nd home run of the 1998 Major League 
     Baseball season, breaking the Major League Baseball single-
     season home run record: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates 
     and commends Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals--
       (1) for breaking the Major League Baseball single-season 
     home run record;
       (2) for bringing great excitement to the 1998 Major League 
     Baseball season; and
       (3) for being an inspiration to the youth of America and 
     the world and baseball fans everywhere.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the unanimous consent request, 
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) and the gentleman from Maryland, 
(Mr. Cummings), each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica).


                             General Leave

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on House Resolution 520.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased this afternoon to congratulate my 
colleague, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Talent), for introducing 
this resolution.
  On September 8, 1998, Mark McGwire broke the Major League baseball 
record for home runs in a single season and joins such immortals as 
Babe Ruth and Roger Maris as legends of our national past time. But, 
Mr. Speaker, when America watched Mark McGwire pursue, and then break, 
Roger Maris's single-season home run record, we witnessed far more than 
a spectacular athletic achievement and a sportsmanship achievement. In 
the apt words of the gentleman's resolution, the gentleman from 
Missouri, he stated, ``Mark McGwire conducted himself with uncommon 
grace, class, and dignity.'' At all times he was, as the resolution 
goes on to say, a first-rate role model for the young people of our 
Nation.
  But it is not just the young people who can learn from this athlete's 
example. Everyone can and should learn by his achievements and the 
manner in which he conducted himself.
  More memorable than the home run that he hit that night was the grace 
with which he conducted himself, the joy with which he greeted his 
young son as he crossed home plate, the great respect he showed for the 
Maris family, and the friendship that he and Sammy Sosa, who is also 
challenging the home run record, demonstrated that night and so many 
millions of Americans witnessed.
  It is, therefore, appropriate that Congress commend and recognize 
Mark McGwire for breaking this record and for the manner in which he 
did it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to commend the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Talent) for introducing this very, very important resolution. Today we 
honor 2 true sportsmen, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. Last week Mark 
McGwire tied, and then broke, Roger Maris's 61st single-season home run 
record, making him the new major league leader, with 62 home runs. On 
Sunday, Sammy Sosa hit his 62nd home run, matching McGwire and helping 
to propel his team to victory in a crucial game against the Brewers.
  Last year, this Congress honored the lifetime achievements of another 
great baseball player: Jackie Robinson. Mr. Robinson would be proud to 
see how McGwire and Sosa have embraced and supported each other in the 
race to break Maris's record. McGwire and Sosa are making history, and 
they are doing it with respect for each other and with dignity and 
integrity.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 520 honors Mark McGwire for breaking 
the record for the most home runs in a season, and among other things, 
serving as a true role model for young people. But not only is he a 
role model for young people, but it has been well stated in the media 
that he gives somewhere in the area of $1 million per year to lift up 
children and to make their lives better, and for this we applaud him.
  As baseball regains its popularity and more young people flock to 
ball fields across America, it is important that our major league 
players set an example of hard work, sacrifice, dignity and respect for 
oneself and one's other players. Mark McGwire exemplifies all of these.
  Parents can speak of McGwire as not only a great ball player, but as 
a good man. After breaking Roger Maris's record, McGwire took time to 
acknowledge the Maris family who were sitting in the stands and hugged 
and lifted up his own son on the baseball field. Those two things, I 
think, sent a true message to all of us in America, and that is to 
never forget from whence we came and never forget those who came before 
us. Those were moments that all Americans could be proud of.
  McGwire's contributions to baseball have been memorialized in the 
National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The ball that 
McGwire hit his season record 62nd home run, his bat and his St. Louis 
Cardinals uniform are on display for current and future generations to 
see. Fathers and sons and daughters who journey to Cooperstown will be 
able to share a historic moment, a moment that will be further 
commemorated with this resolution in his honor. What he has done has 
left a spark in all Americans and has left a very, very, very important 
memory so that we might cherish it for our entire lifetimes.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Talent), the author of this resolution.
  Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I admire and appreciate the gentleman's eloquence and 
that of the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), and I do not know 
that there is a lot I can add. I just think that this resolution is 
important for a number of reasons. They have commented, and I think it 
bears repeating, on the class that Mark McGwire had throughout this 
whole season as he chased this record. He showed the affection that he 
has in his heart for his son; he showed the regard that he has for his 
competitor, Sammy Sosa; and that was returned time and time again. I 
really appreciate the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) remark 
because that showed how far baseball has come from the days of Jackie 
Robinson. Mark McGwire showed the respect

[[Page H7767]]

that he has for baseball and for the way that he treated the Maris 
family, and I think all of those things justify this resolution.
  I had a personal reason as well for filing it. I was able to share 
that evening with my 8-year-old son, and to share that moment with him 
when Mark McGwire hit the 62nd home run, and it struck me that the 
experience we had together and the way I felt afterwards when my son 
said it was the best night of his life, was probably shared by millions 
and millions of families around the country who were together watching 
this achievement, watching Mark McGwire chase this with such class and 
achieve it on that night, and they shared that memory then and they 
will share that memory forever. I think it deserves this memorial.
  This is a class individual. None of it was a put-on. It is just the 
way he is. I am glad the House is taking a few moments to recognize 
him. I am sure everyone will support this resolution.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), the distinguished majority leader.
  (Mr. GEPHARDT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, and I share his 
optimism. I want to thank the gentleman from Missouri for bringing this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, let me just first say that I have been a Cardinal fan my 
entire life, as I am sure my friend from Missouri has been. The night 
that Mark McGwire hit this home run was indeed a very important night 
in the life of any Cardinal fan. In fact, I was alone watching it on 
television and tears streamed down my face as I saw him make this 
accomplishment.
  I think that there is a much larger meaning, however, that comes out 
of this, in both the case of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. First, they 
have both shown love for their families, they have shown love for 
fellow human beings, and they have shown respect for other human beings 
who have had similar records or their families have had a connection 
with similar records. Those are very important messages for baseball 
heroes to send to the people, and I most want to be for this resolution 
today because of that and because of what that means to Americans and 
what that means to all of our people. We commend them, we honor them, 
and we wish them well in the days ahead.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, there is, in fact, baseball yet to be played 
this year. Perhaps there are more home runs to be hit. We really do not 
know yet what the new home run record will be. We do not know who will 
hold that title and that record. What we do know is that Mark McGwire 
has at all times conducted himself both as a gentleman and as a true 
sportsman. His athletic achievements are, in fact, a deed to be 
respected, but the quality of character he has demonstrated throughout 
this historic baseball season should be honored.
  At a time, Mr. Speaker, when values, character, and professional 
conduct is being challenged both here in Washington and at every level 
across our land, it is indeed fitting that today Congress recognize a 
true role model, Mark McGwire.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to vote for this resolution.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, as a lifelong baseball fan, nothing has 
been more exciting than seeing the home run chase this year for Mark 
McGwire and Sammy Sosa. Not only has the race brought a great deal of 
excitement to this year's baseball season, the grace, dignity and good 
sportsmanship of these two sluggers has brought honor to sportsmanship 
and sports in general.
  While we should salute the achievements of Mark, we must not forget 
that the season is not over. Indeed, the fantastic weekend performance 
of Sammy Sosa demonstrates that we still do not know who will be the 
single season home run king until the last game is played. It also 
points out how Congress sometimes gets ahead of itself.
  The grace of a home run swing (some 124 at last count), the kind 
words of mutual respect uttered by Mr. McGwire and Mr. Sosa, the 
thrills that have been experienced by millions of fans remind us all 
that human achievement brings out the best in us. Diversion and 
recreation is sometimes the best antidote for tough times. Amidst all 
the political trauma of the last few weeks, many were happy, even just 
for a moment, to forget it all and blissfully discuss the home run 
race. They have also taught us some important lessons like genuine 
humility which inspires us much more than stirring words. The 
magnificent performance of Mark and Sammy on the field has only been 
matched by their outstanding handling of the media attention which has 
been  given  to  them.  They  deserve our recognition.
  Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, whether you were at the game or enjoying 
the moment elsewhere with family and friends, on the evening of 
Tuesday, September 8, 1998, America witnessed a milestone. As my 
hometown newspaper, the Southeast Missourian printed Wednesday morning, 
``In a nation that demands bigger, more, better, faster, Mark David 
McGwire is now a name--and an event--to be remembered.''
  But there is something even more memorable about Tuesday night. More 
memorable than Mark McGwire hugging his son, Matt, as he crossed home 
base. More memorable than Mark McGwire taking time to share his 
accomplishment with the Chicago Cubs own Sammy Sosa; and yes, even more 
memorable than the touching moments that Mark McGwire shared with Roger 
Maris' family.
  Sure, hitting number 62 was great. And there isn't any Little Leaguer 
I know who probably didn't drift off to sleep that night thinking about 
what it would be like to be the ``King of Swing.'' But what truly 
touched me about Tuesday night was the way the entire country came 
together in the last days and weeks leading up to this very special 
event.
  When Mark MGwire belted number 62 into the record books, he put a 
special and indelible mark on history that will remain forever. Tuesday 
night, Missouri--the Heartland of America and my home--became the 
hallmark that represents what can be accomplished with dedication, 
perseverance, hard work and a little help from the Man upstairs. Mark 
McGwire recognized that Tuesday night and it reminded me of how proud 
we in the Eighth District are to call Missouri home.
  But something even more magical happened when Mark McGwire smacked 
that ball the last 341 feet into American history. In that instant--and 
with the help of what ESPN has called ``the nation's best fans''--the 
fans cheering on the Cardinals in Busch Stadium--it felt great to be an 
American. Again.
  Now that may sound strange to some, but in a time when coverage of 
the examples of poor role models often overshadows the coverage of good 
role models, it truly is comforting that today all of America has 
something to be proud of. On Tuesday night, America saw the kindness, 
honesty and dignity of a man whose character is not measured by numbers 
and dollars, but by the love of a national pastime and a respect for 
all of those who play the game. Tuesday night it felt good to be 10-
years-old again rooting for your hero. Tuesday night, it just felt good 
to cheer.
  My dad, Ab Hermann, also played professional baseball. Even though he 
taught me countless lessons about life, I remember two very distinctly. 
First, you always have to keep your eye on the ball. Second, honesty 
and character really do matter. Like my colleague, J.C. Watts, another 
great athlete, says ``character means doing what's right when nobody is 
looking.''
  Well, Mark McGwire did that. As Mike Jensen of the Standard Democrat 
noted on September 9, 1998, ``That monumental home run will neither 
solve world hunger nor the issues in the Mideast. But it did remind us 
that sometimes good guys finish first.'' And Tuesday night when all 
America was watching, Mark McGwire, with the class befitting a ``Home 
Run King,'' wrote his own story in American History. Thank you Mark, 
for giving all of America a story worth telling.
  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Mark McGwire and his 
extraordinary feat in setting a new, single-season home run record.
  Throughout this season, Americans have been treated to one of the 
most incredible sporting achievements of our lifetime. The single-
season home run mark of 61 stood as perhaps the most awesome feat in 
baseball history.
  I feel privileged to have been able to witness Mark McGwire in action 
this year--every baseball fan in America knows that they have seen 
something special in 1998.
  Roger Maris set that record 37 years ago, topping perhaps the most 
impressive achievement of Babe Ruth, the best all-around player ever to 
take the field in professional baseball. Watching McGwire's pursuit of 
62 home runs, placing him among icons like Ruth and Maris, has been a 
pure joy to witness.

[[Page H7768]]

  Mark McGwire is not only an outstanding athlete, he is also a man 
whose conduct epitomizes good sportsmanship.
  He has remained focused on his goal in the face of a media frenzy and 
a sea of exploding flash bulbs. And he did it with amazing grace and 
real class.
  The chase showed something special about Mark McGwire. But it also 
showed me something special about the people of St. Louis. The fact 
that seven very lucky fans gave up progressively larger amounts of 
money, returning their souvenir home run balls to Number 25, showed 
that Cardinals fans truly are, as the magazine Baseball America called 
them, ``The Best Baseball Fans in America.''
  These fans showed their true spirit when they stood and cheered not 
only for St. Louis' own Mark McGwire, but also for that other great 
athlete, the Cubs' Sammy Sosa.
  Mr. Speaker, I could not be more proud to say I am from St. Louis, 
and I could not be more proud to say I am a Cardinals' fan. Thank you 
and congratulations, Mark McGwire.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the resolution.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________