[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S12892]]
                        TRIBUTE TO GENE CALLAHAN

 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, at the beginning of the 105th 
congressional session, a close friend of mine, Gene Callahan, retired 
and moved back to our home state of Illinois. Prior to Gene's 
retirement, he served as the director of government relations for Major 
League Baseball here in Washington, DC. Many of you may remember Gene 
as former U.S. Senator Alan J. Dixon's (IL) chief of staff. Gene and I 
have been in politics for many years beginning with the Illinois 
Democratic Party and working with my predecessor here in the Senate, 
former U.S. Senator Paul Simon when Senator Simon was the Illinois Lt. 
Governor, some thirty years ago.
  Gene loves the game of baseball so I thought this would be the 
perfect opportunity to wish my dear friends, Gene and Ann Callahan, the 
best. I thought it fitting that the Callahans return to the great state 
of Illinois during this exciting baseball season and the home run chase 
between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. In fact, Gene and Ann's son, Dan, 
is the head baseball coach at Southern Illinois University in 
Carbondale. I know firsthand, that Gene will stay involved with 
baseball, and rest assured, I will call on him for political advice 
from time to time.
  As the baseball season draws to a close with the World Series, I want 
to thank everyone connected with Major League Baseball for a great 
summer. The home run chase with McGwire and Sosa was a baseball fan's 
dream. It brought a sense of what's good about America to the 
forefront. America can't wait for spring training!

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