[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 137 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S11513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 COMMENDING MARK MCGWIRE AND SAMMY SOSA

  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Senate Resolution 286, 
submitted earlier by Senator Mack.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 286) expressing the sense of the 
     Senate that Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa should be commended 
     for their accomplishments.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the resolution 
appear in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 286) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 286

       Whereas the recent conclusion of the regular baseball 
     season marked the end of an unprecedented home run race 
     between the St. Louis Cardinals' Mark McGwire and the Chicago 
     Cubs' Sammy Sosa;
       Whereas both broke Roger Maris' home run record that many 
     thought would stand untouched as indeed it has since Maris 
     passed the ``Babe'' by one home run when he hit his 61st some 
     37 years ago;
       Whereas ``Mighty Mac'' rounded out his record setting 
     season by sending two more over the fence in the team's final 
     game to finish the year with 70 homes runs while ``Slammin' 
     Sammy'' finished close behind with 66;
       Whereas McGwire and Sosa brought to the game much more than 
     a new record for the books, even though they are both great 
     competitors, they showed the nation how competitors can show 
     mutual respect and appreciation toward each other and to the 
     game;
       Whereas Mark McGwire is surely an ideal role model for 
     tomorrow's baseball stars as evidenced by his quiet dignity, 
     love of the game and respect for his competitors which was 
     clearly demonstrated the night he broke the home run record--
     from his triumphant jog around the bases, to hugging his son 
     at home plate, to saluting Sammy Sosa, and then finally 
     spending a few moments in the stands with the family of Roger 
     Maris;
       Whereas Sammy Sosa who stayed on McGwire's heels throughout 
     the home run chase is also a role model who, as a native from 
     the Dominican Republic, rose from near poverty to be one of 
     the greatest home run hitters in the history of the game, and 
     is a hero in his home country where he continues to share his 
     success by funding special programs for its underprivileged 
     children;
       Whereas the nation witnessed this year a flashback to an 
     earlier time when the fans felt a connection to the players 
     and the players gave their all for the fans;
       Whereas baseball is a game for magic moments, like a 
     perfect game or a triple play--or watching the ball fly over 
     the fence for a home run, and, this year, McGwire and Sosa 
     brought the nation plenty of those magic moments; and
       Whereas through class and character Mark McGwire and Sammy 
     Sosa are modern day heroes who brought out the best in 
     baseball and reminded us all why baseball is the great 
     American past time: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa are to be commended 
     for their record achievement, for reinvigorating the game of 
     baseball, for their decency, and for giving our children 
     sports heroes worthy of that status.

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