[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.
____________________