[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 15, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H7768-H7771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING SAMMY SOSA FOR TYING THE CURRENT MAJOR LEAGUE RECORD FOR 
                        HOME RUNS IN ONE SEASON.

  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. 536) and ask for its immediate 
consideration in the House.
  Mr. Speaker, I further ask unanimous consent that the debate time be 
limited to 40 minutes, equally divided and controlled by teh gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) and myself.
  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. 536

       Whereas Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs hit two home runs on 
     Sunday, September 13 against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley 
     Field in Chicago;
       Whereas these home runs were his 61st and 62nd of the 1998 
     season, tying Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals for the 
     current major league record for home runs in one season and 
     moving him past Roger Maris' previous single home run record, 
     which had stood unsurpassed--and barely threatened--for 37 
     years;
       Whereas Sammy Sosa's achievement is one of the most 
     impressive and difficult to accomplish in the history of 
     baseball, placing him in the very exclusive company of the 
     national pastime's greatest home run hitters, including 
     legends such as Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Roger Maris, Mickey 
     Mantle, and Willie Mays;
       Whereas Sammy Sosa's drive toward the historic home run 
     record is part of one of the best overall performances in 
     baseball history, which will likely include more than 150 
     RBIs, a batting average of over. 300, nearly 20 stolen bases, 
     exceptional defensive play in right field and providing 
     leadership to the Chicago Cubs in a close race for the 
     playoffs;
       Whereas throughout the intense media scrutiny and public 
     attention that has accompanied his historic home run chase, 
     Sammy Sosa has consistently conducted himself with dignity, 
     modesty, and selflessness that has been an inspiration to all 
     Americans;
       Whereas as a native of the Dominican Republic, Sammy Sosa 
     has proven to be an outstanding role model and source of 
     pride for all residents of his native country, as well as all 
     Latin Americans and all immigrants to the U.S. from across 
     the globe;
       Whereas throughout his record-breaking accomplishments and 
     thrilling head-to-head race with Mark McGwire to surpass the 
     home run milestone Sammy Sosa has embodied the talent, 
     exuberance, team-spirit and determination that Americans 
     associate with the very best qualities of sports and athletic 
     competition;
       Whereas while Sammy Sosa is almost certainly not done 
     hitting home runs in 1998, and has two more weeks to amaze 
     all of America with tape-measure shots that delight Chicago's 
     bleacher bums and send Cubs scattering on Waveland Avenue in 
     pursuit of a piece of history, and Sammy Sosa will continue 
     to enhance a proud legacy of Chicago Cubs sluggers in the 
     tradition of Hack Wilson, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and 
     Andre Dawson;
       Whereas on September 13, 1998, Sammy Sosa of the Chicago 
     Cubs hit his 62th home run of the 1998 Major League Baseball 
     season and tied the current single-season home run record: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates 
     and commends Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs--
       (1) for his amazing accomplishments and thanks him for a 
     summer of unsurpassed baseball excitement.

  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 536.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  1700

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate 
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez), the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Yates), and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) who 
are authors and who have introduced this resolution.
  This has been indeed, as we have said, a very historic baseball 
season. We have not only seen Roger Maris' 37-year-old single season 
home run record broken, we have seen the new record tied within just a 
few days.
  All America has watched with admiration as Mark McGwire and Sammy 
Sosa have challenged each other to new heights each and every day 
during one of the most exciting periods of baseball history. We watched 
as the record fell, and we watched as the new record was tied.
  Sammy Sosa deserves the respect and admiration of all baseball fans 
for his great athletic achievement, but more importantly, Sammy Sosa 
has earned the esteem of all Americans for the great and dignified 
manner in which he has conducted himself at all times.
  When Mark McGwire became the first to break Roger Maris' record, the 
St. Louis Cardinals were playing Sammy Sosa's Chicago Cubs. Sammy Sosa 
was among the first to offer his congratulations, running to 
congratulate Mark from his position in the outfield. A lesser man would 
have resented that another man will always be known as the gentleman 
who broke Roger Maris' record, but not Sammy Sosa.
  Reflecting the highest ideals of sportsmanship and character, Sammy 
Sosa graciously saluted that achievement and embraced Mark McGwire 
warmly.
  I have no doubt, Mr. Speaker, that it was because of Sammy Sosa's 
character that all Americans cheered when he tied this new record. I am 
proud to support this resolution to honor an excellent athlete and, in 
fact, a true gentleman.
  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 first want to congratulate the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Guiterrez), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Yates) for introducing this very, very 
important resolution.
  Today, this Congress pauses to salute a man named Sammy Sosa. Sammy 
Sosa of the Chicago Cubs is being honored today for being a fine 
sportsman and for conducting himself with dignity and modesty while in 
pursuit of Roger Maris' single season home run record. A native of the 
Dominican Republic, Sammy Sosa is an inspiration to Americans, Latin 
Americans, and all who love the game of baseball.
  On Sunday, in a critical Cubs-Brewers game, Sosa caught up to Mark 
McGwire and hit his 62nd home run. At that moment, the Cubs were still 
behind, and though he was experiencing a personal victory, Sosa did not 
celebrate until his teammate Mark Grace hit the winning home run to end 
the game 11 to 10. Sosa carried Grace a few steps to the dugout, and 
the Cubs carried Sosa. Baseball is a team effort, and Sosa's actions 
exemplify just that.
  Sosa is the player in Cub's history, the only player in Cub's history 
to hit 30 or more home runs and steal 30 or more bases in the same 
season. In 1997, he became the third player in team history to hit more 
than 25 home runs at

[[Page H7769]]

Wrigley Field more than once. He was the first Cub in 37 years to 
collect more than 100 runs-batted-in in three consecutive seasons. But 
these statistics only speak to his athletic abilities.
  Sosa supports schools and medical facilities in his homeland. He has 
a now famous two-finger gesture where he touches his heart for his 
fans, then blows two kisses, one for his mother, and one for the family 
and relatives back home whenever he hits a home run or has a major 
accomplishment in a game. This speaks to Sosa as a man, a man who has 
never forgotten from whence he came.
  He remembers and talks about quite often when he was in the Dominican 
Republic as a young boy. And like many poor young people, he had to 
improvise. He would use a crushed up milk carton as a glove and would 
take a sock and ball it up real tight and use it as a ball to play 
baseball.
  The fact is is that he now remembers those days and consistently and 
constantly gives back to his native Dominican Republic. He is a man who 
loves the game of baseball and, just as important, just like Mark 
McGwire, he cares about people. Sosa is a team player and a gracious 
winner. He is a true sportsman and is quite deserving of this wonderful 
and very significant honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to yield 3 minutes 
to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) who does 
represent the real shrine of American baseball, Cooperstown, New York.
  (Mr. BOEHLERT asked and was given permission to include extraneous 
material.)
  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding to me, 
and I thank both of my colleagues and all of my colleagues who are 
today here paying tribute to Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa.
  All the sporting world knows that they are truly all-stars when they 
get on the ball field and they hit that ball. But I would suggest to 
everyone, as we are looking for role models, you could not have two 
better role models than Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. They are all-stars 
off the field as well.
  I would suggest that all of my colleagues read an inspiring story 
that appears in today's New York Times, written by Bill Dedman. It is 
the story of Sammy Sosa. Just let me read one quote, because it just 
says so much about the man.
  Sammy says ``I don't want to get a big head. I was raised religious, 
and I'm scared what would happen to me if I did that.'' That is a quote 
from Sammy Sosa. It is a wonderful story.
  Now, let me tell you, first of all, both of these gentlemen are 
already represented in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New 
York. That is the shrine and mecca for baseball. For those of you who 
want to go to Cooperstown, and I encourage all of you to do so, take 
270 north, and you go to Route 15--no, I will not give you the whole 
route today.
  But I will tell you that, in that beautiful magnificent village of 
Cooperstown, New York, two very distinguished, very accomplished 
athletes, two great citizens, fine, decent, caring, sharing individuals 
are already represented. So I would encourage those who cannot get out 
to see Mark McGwire or Sammy Sosa play at the ball field. The season is 
almost over, some of us are hoping that the Cubs will really make it to 
the play-offs, and I know my distinguished colleague in the well will 
address that subject shortly.
  Forevermore these fine gentlemen will be represented in the shrine of 
baseball in Cooperstown, New York, and I would encourage people to 
visit that magnificent facility and see for themselves.
  Once again, let me stress that I am a baseball nut, self-proclaimed. 
I confess it. I am addicted to baseball. It is a wonderful way for my 
wife and I to sit and relax in the evening, a big bowl of popcorn and 
some soda and we sit and watch the game, and my Yankees are doing just 
fine this year, thank you, and I am excited about that.
  I have to admit, in two instances recently I had tears to my eyes. 
One, when I saw Mark McGwire, and then after he hit the home run one of 
the things that happened that was so moving, Sammy ran in from the 
outfield, they hugged and they embraced, two great gentlemen. Then when 
I heard that Sammy Sosa had hit two dingers to catch up with Mark 
McGwire, I did not even see it, I just heard about it, and it moved me 
because I have such a passionate feeling about the game and what it 
means to this great country, but I am so excited because of the great 
accomplishment of these two fine gentlemen.
  So I am pleased to be able to be here and share in this tribute. I 
thank those who have advanced it. I encourage all of my friends here in 
this chamber and all around the world to pay proper recognition to Mark 
McGwire and Sammy Sosa. Please come visit the shrine of all American 
baseball in Cooperstown, New York.
  The article that was referred to previously is as follows:

                      The Man Who Would Be McGwire


       his rival is `the man,' but sosa may be the home run champ

                            (By Bill Dedman)

       Chicago, Sept. 14--Relaxing at home in his 55th-floor 
     condominium before a game, Sammy Sosa is the same as at the 
     ball park: focused by funny, exuberant but reserved. He is in 
     a strange country, conversing in two languages, but his every 
     movement displays a combination of confidence and humility.
       He does not want to talk about his wealth, or his charity, 
     or even to appear to be restraining the impulse. ``I don't 
     want to get a big head,'' he says. ``I was raised religious, 
     and I'm scared what would happen to me if I did that.''
       Staying humble just got harder, as Sosa's glorious weekend 
     put him dead even in the chase for the most glamorous record 
     in sports: most home runs in a single season. After the 
     record had been all but conceded to Mark McGwire of St. 
     Louis, Sosa's four home runs in three days tied him with 
     McGwire. As Sosa's Cubs begin a series tonight in San Diego 
     and McGwire's Cardinals played at home against Pittsburgh, 
     each had hit 62 home runs in 150 games. (McGwire had two 
     singles but no homers in four at-bats tonight.) Two weeks 
     remain in the season.
       ``I'm rooting for Mark McGwire,'' Sosa said last week. ``I 
     look up to him the way a son does to a father. I look at him, 
     the way he hits, the way he acts, and I see the person and 
     the player I want to be. I'm the man in the Dominican 
     Republic. He's the man in the United States. That's the way 
     it should be.''
       Sammy Sosa grew up without a father in the back of a 
     converted public hospital in San Pedro de Macoris, a dusty 
     seaside town in the Dominican Republic. His father, Juan 
     Montero, died when Sosa was 5. Sosa shared two bedrooms with 
     his mother, four brothers and two sisters. To help out, he 
     shined shoes for two pesos.
       Now, at age 29, Sosa has a four-year, $42.5 million 
     contract. Besides the condo, he has two other homes and was 
     able to give his mother, Mireya, a house for Mother's Day. 
     But ask him about his wealth, and he will find an excuse to 
     leave the room. If prodded to name the favorite of all his 
     automobiles, he will allow, ``Probably the Rolls,'' and 
     change the subject.
       In Chicago last week, Sosa entertained guests before a 
     night game at Wrigley Field. Wearing Versace jeans instead of 
     Cubs pinstripes, he offered a glass of white wine and a tour 
     of his condo--really four condos combined into one--in a 
     tower rising above Navy Pier.
       In the den, where the windows reveal Lake Michigan, Sosa's 
     two agents occupied the sofa, eating shrimp and fielding 
     offers for an advertising deal in Japan. In the dining room, 
     decorated with a wrap-around view of the Loop skyline, his 
     wife, Sonia, was setting out the good china for a lunch with 
     friends. Their 5-year-old daughter, Keisha, was at school, 
     and the three younger children were finishing their naps. 
     Sammy's brothers were around, back among the eight bedrooms.
       When Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs in 1927, his biographer 
     noted his boast, ``Sixty, count 'em, 60!'' and Ruth's dare 
     for anyone to match his total. Now Ruth has been matched, and 
     bested, by Roger Maris, McGwire and Sosa. Not a braggart in 
     the bunch.
       When he came into the major leagues nine years ago, Sosa 
     gained a reputation as a selfish player, as a flashy 
     underachiever, ``Sammy So-So.'' His teammates, coaches and 
     friends say he has grown tremendously, as a baseball player, 
     as a father and as a team player. ``Sammy is showing a grace 
     that blows my mind,'' said Tom Reich, who is one of his 
     agents. ``He is so intuitive. He draws everyone into his loop 
     with his good will and generosity.''
       Back home in San Pedro de Macoris, there is a statue of 
     Sosa with a fountain. In the winter he visits hospitals to 
     deliver presents to children and schools to give new 
     computers. They call him ``Sammy Claus.'' Pesos thrown in his 
     fountain are given to the shoeshine boys of Macoris.
       Here in the United States, Reich and his partner, Adam 
     Katz, are taking their time working through offers for 
     endorsements. They will let most of the deals wait until the 
     season is over, so as not to distract Sosa from the task at 
     hand: helping the long-frustrated Cubs make the playoffs for 
     the first time since 1989.

[[Page H7770]]

       Sosa says he does not mind the greater attention that has 
     been given to McGwire since the season began back at the end 
     of March. As to the suggestion that his dark skin color might 
     account for his lack of acclaim compared with McGwire's, Sosa 
     laughs and says: ``What? Come on, man, it's 1998.''
       The Sosas moved in to their million-dollar home in June 
     from a smaller one a few blocks away. It appears almost 
     unlived in, with little of the debris of life scattered 
     about. The only book is a Spanish-language Bible by a bed. 
     The Sosas' winter home is in Santo Domingo, the Dominican 
     capital, about 40 miles west of San Pedro de Macoris. And 
     they have a stopping-off place in Miami.
       A few treasures are on display in the Chicago home: photos 
     of their children. A plaque from friends in the Dominican 
     Republic (including the President, Leonel Fernandez Reyna) in 
     honor of Sosa's record-setting 20 home runs in a single 
     month. An award from the Cubs honoring his community service, 
     named for his hero Roberto Clemente, whose uniform No. 21 
     Sosa adopted.
       A plaque rests on a cabinet in the living room: ``My house 
     is small, no mansion for a millionaire. But there is room for 
     love and there is room for friends.''
       Sammy and Sonia met 12 years ago in the Dominican Republic. 
     With the help of a maid, she takes care of the children: two 
     girls, Keisha, 5, and Kenia, 3, and two boys, Sammy Jr., 
     nearly 2, and Michael, almost 1.
       On this quiet afternoon, the children woke up just in time 
     for a family photograph and lunch before batting practice. 
     The children know Sosa plays baseball, but they have no idea 
     of his fame. Occasionally, on a replay, they do see the 
     trademark two-fingered kisses that he blows their way.
       ``They see me on TV and say, `Papi! Papi!' '' he said. ``I 
     am very proud of them.''

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez), a very distinguished gentleman, who is one of 
the sponsors of this legislation.
  Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker I want to be brief so that my colleagues 
from Chicago have an opportunity to speak on this resolution. In 
particular, I look forward to the comments of my friends, the gentlemen 
from Illinois, Mr. Davis and Mr. Yates, original sponsors of this bill, 
who have worked with me on bringing it to the floor.
  This is not the first time that the U.S. House has taken an 
opportunity to commend an individual who has achieved greatness, but it 
is perhaps the first time that a resolution has been offered about 
someone who has chosen to remain so humble in spite of his greatness.
  Sammy Sosa is a man who has every reason to be proud of his 
accomplishments and who would be excused if he chose to be boastful 
about those facts. Instead, he prefers to go out of his way to talk 
about the achievements of his teammates and even those of his 
competitors. This is a man who has proven to young people that it is 
not simply important to be good at sports but to be a good sport, and 
who has proven in the most vivid way possible a lesson that bears 
repeating, that people who come to the United States to share their 
talents with us add to our country in ways that are profound, in ways 
that enrich our lives and in ways that make us all proud of this great 
Nation.
  This resolution puts the United States House of Representatives on 
record that this body commends and congratulates Sammy Sosa for his 
prowess on the field and for his dignity off the field. In other words, 
even if Sammy himself will not admit it, the U.S. Congress is prepared 
to tell Sammy that he is indeed the man.
  Now, we hear a lot about bipartisanship here in Washington. Well, in 
Chicago bipartisanship has nothing to do with bringing Democrats and 
Republicans together. In Chicago, bipartisanship means bringing Cubs 
fans and White Sox fans together. As a Member of Congress who 
represents both a little of the north side and a little of the south 
side, the fact that Sammy Sosa has achieved that feat is amazing, but 
it goes beyond that.
  He has helped bring baseball fans all across the country and all 
across the world together to celebrate this beautiful game, but back to 
that spirit of civic unity for a moment. I want to quote from someone 
who worked and lived baseball on both sides of Chicago, a man named 
Bill Veeck. Bill Veeck put down some important roots in Chicago, 
literally. In the 1930s Bill Veeck planted the famous ivy on the 
outfield wall at Wrigley Field. Later in life, Bill Veeck went on to 
own the Chicago White Sox, and even in the last years of his life he 
could be found virtually every summer afternoon sitting in the outfield 
bleachers at Wrigley Field.
  Well, there is a quote attributed to Bill Veeck that I think says 
something we need to know about baseball, maybe even about life. Bill 
Veeck said, and I quote, ``There is no sight more beautiful in the 
world than a ballpark full of people,'' and he was right. 
Unfortunately, Bill Veeck never saw Sammy Sosa play for the Cubs, and 
if he had he would have learned that there is actually one thing more 
beautiful than a ballpark full of people. It is when there are so many 
people wanting to see a game that there are hundreds, even thousands of 
them waiting outside the ballpark to be part of history.
  For someone who has seen the highlights of recent Cub home games 
knows, there are people hanging out on Waveland Avenue and off the 
rooftops of Sheffield and all around the park, wanting to be part of 
the moment, to be part of history. As I say, Sammy Sosa has done more 
than excite a city. He has excited a country. He has excited people all 
over the world, especially in Latin America who love this great game.
  People often say that baseball says a lot about America. It is about 
fair play. It is about doing your best and trying, even when the odds 
are against us, and in the person of Sammy Sosa we are reminded that 
baseball represents something else. It reminds us that baseball 
represents the diversity of our Nation, our country, America.

                              {time}  1715

  It reminds us that people can come to America and if they have the 
desire and if they have the will and if they have the optimism, they 
can succeed in ways that benefit us all.
  Baseball shows that a team can be made up of kids from the heartland 
of America and from the Caribbean or Asia and even as far away as 
Australia. It was played in the form of stick ball in the crowded 
streets of Brooklyn and the West Side of Chicago where kids looked up 
to heroes like Hank Greenberg; by kids in the barrios of Humboldt Park 
of Chicago who idolized Roberto Clemente. Sammy Sosa has reminded us of 
that fact.
  I read that Sammy Sosa has not only surpassed Roger Maris' record for 
home runs in a season, he has also surpassed the singer Kate Smith in 
the number of times someone has said ``God bless America'' in a single 
year.
  Sometimes it takes someone who was born elsewhere, someone for whom 
America itself was not a birthright, to sum up for all of us the most 
patriotic of sentiments.
  Mr. Speaker, Sammy is right to recognize the greatness of the United 
States. Today, the United States Congress recognizes him.
  ``To you, Sammy.''
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), one of the cosponsors of this 
legislation.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Cummings) for yielding me this time. I really want to 
thank all of those who took the time to come and pay tribute to two 
great athletes, two great Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, I grew up in Arkansas, which was close to Missouri, and 
so I grew up a Cardinals fan, next to my beloved Brooklyn Dodgers. And 
I remember Red Schoendienst and Stan Musial and Ray Jablonski and, 
later on, Curt Flood and Bob Gibson.
  I was thinking of the great feat of Mark McGwire, how great it would 
have indeed been had Harry Caray been around to be able to make the 
pronouncement and say, ``Look at it go.'' I guess it would probably 
have still been going even today. But, certainly, Mark is a tremendous 
athlete and a tremendous human being.
  I am also pleased to take note of the great feat and contribution of 
Sammy Sosa. As has already been indicated, an individual who was 
content all year to kind of move in the shadows, always behind but 
knowing that eventually he would catch up. Always behind, but knowing 
that at some point there would be the evenness. Two men who emerged as 
great friends, complimenting each other almost on a daily basis, one 
not really worrying about who is going to be first, but knowing that 
they were both going to be winners. Because no matter which one ends up 
with the greatest number, they have combined their efforts to revive 
and revitalize the game of baseball to excite

[[Page H7771]]

people all over the world, to put spirit and energy in a game that had 
lost some of its luster.
  Certainly, Sammy indicated that it is not always where one comes 
from. As a matter of fact, he used to shine shoes, like Isaiah Thomas, 
the great basketball player who at one time used to shine shoes at 
Shine King. So, he indicated that it is not always so important where 
one comes from in life, but what is really important is where one is 
going. No matter who ends up with the highest number, both of these 
esteemed gentlemen have, indeed, reached the top.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with all of my colleagues in saying 
a hardy ``thank you'' to Mark McGwire and to Sammy Sosa for 
revitalizing the game of baseball.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the very 
distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Blagojevich).
  Mr. BLAGOJEVICH. Mr. Speaker, the odds of one of us of becoming a 
Member of Congress are actually longer than the odds of becoming a 
major league ball player. I must confess if I had my druthers, I would 
choose to be a major league ball player. For me, the ideal job would be 
to play right field for the Chicago Cubs.
  But I learned very early in life, Mr. Speaker, as a ball player in 
the Little League, that it was probably an impossible dream for me. As 
hard as I tried, as much as I hustled, I must confess, and perhaps my 
political consultants would not want me to say this, I stunk as a 
baseball player.
  But as someone who takes vicarious joy in looking at ball players who 
know how to play the game, I take particular pride that Sammy Sosa 
happens to play for the Chicago Cubs. And I take also pride as an 
American in the accomplishments of Mark McGwire.
  Wrigley Field is not in my congressional district. I have the parking 
lots across the street. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Yates) has the 
actual ball park. So when Sammy Sosa hits a home run on Waveland Avenue 
or goes to right field and hits a home run on Sheffield Avenue, those 
balls are landing in the district of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Yates).
  But Chicago happens to be a city of immigrants. I think it is 
altogether fitting that Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire both share the 
record at this point, and one happens to be an immigrant, because the 
City of Chicago and our country was built by immigrants.
  Let me say that in this cynical era where sports is all about big 
money, and baseball has certainly not been immune to those issues, and 
in the era of sports agents, it is very refreshing to have two great 
heroes like Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire who play the sport for the love 
of the game.
  I do not see Mark McGwire play baseball as often as I see Sammy Sosa, 
but it is clear to those of us in Chicago who watch him on a daily 
basis that here is somebody who plays the game the way it ought to be 
played, who plays it the way they used to play it in the old days, who 
plays it with great enthusiasm and who has an all-around style of game.
  Mr. Speaker, I just would like to commend Sammy Sosa and Mark 
McGwire, and I would to close by raising a question about Commissioner 
Bud Selig of baseball. Mr. Speaker, I would say to the commissioner, 
``Where were you on Sunday, Mr. Commissioner? You should have been in 
Chicago at Wrigley Field.''
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I enjoyed the comments of all of my colleagues on both 
sides. I am reminded of the story of Mr. Sosa when he was a young boy 
about 10 years old. His father died and he was left to help his mother 
take care of his seven brothers and sisters down in the Dominican 
Republic. There he got some rags together and some shoe shine polish 
and would go to the beach and he would shine people's shoes.
  As fate would have it, he met a man named Bill Chase who lived on the 
outskirts of San Pedro, and Mr. Chase was a factory owner. He was so 
impressed with the shoe shine operation of the Sosa brothers, because 
he did it with his brother, that he would give them extra tips. He 
bought Sammy a glove and then he began to watch him play baseball. He 
was so impressed with them, that he helped them to move forward to a 
baseball career here in the United States.
  There is so much to that story, Mr. Speaker, of how when we work 
together, when we bond together and lift each other up, how we can make 
things happen. How when we touch other people with our lives, that we 
can help them get to where they have to go.
  But there is another important lesson in that too. So many Minor 
League baseball players are playing baseball right now, not knowing 
whether they will ever have an opportunity to come to the big leagues. 
But we want to salute all of them, including, of course, our friend 
Mark McGwire. We want to salute Sammy Sosa with a simple, simple quote. 
It is from a noted religious scholar named Dr. Charles Swindoll, and I 
think it epitomizes our two players that we honor today.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Swindoll says, ``. . . men and women of God, 
servant-leaders in the making, are first unknown, unseen, unappreciated 
and unapplauded. In the relentless demands of obscurity, character is 
built . . . [T]hose who first accept the silence of obscurity are best 
qualified to handle the applause of popularity.''
  Mr. Speaker, I think that statement by Dr. Swindoll certainly 
epitomizes and describes our two great baseball players that we honor 
today. And so as this Congress pauses to salute these great gentlemen, 
we say to Mark McGwire and to Sammy Sosa, ``The Congress of the United 
States of America salutes you. And we thank you for bringing life to 
life and lifting all of us up, including our children, so that 
generations to come will look back on this wonderful, wonderful year 
and say that we too were a part of it.''
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join in voting for this 
tremendous and wonderful resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, first I want to take a moment to thank the gentlemen 
from Illinois, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. Yates, and Mr. Davis for introducing 
this resolution to recognize the achievements of Sammy Sosa. I was also 
pleased to recognize the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Talent), who 
introduced H.R. 520 which we just considered and passed, recognizing 
the sports achievements of Mark McGwire.
  Mr. Speaker, fortunately this year's baseball season is not over. In 
fact, the Cubs are competing for a spot in the playoffs. This, in fact, 
is good news for all Americans, for indeed we have more time for Sammy 
Sosa to display his baseball skills and perhaps to hit a few more 
exciting home runs.
  More importantly, though, it means there is more time for all 
Americans, especially young people, to learn about grace, 
sportsmanship, and dignity from gentlemen who have set a great example 
for sportsmanship.
  I think this is really important at this time in our history, because 
it is critical that young people have role models. Today, we as Members 
of Congress pay tribute to those who have displayed sportsmanship, 
great achievement, and helped all Americans have heroes.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hefley). The question is on the 
resolution.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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