[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 2 (Thursday, January 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E47]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING GEORGE HOWARD BRETT'S ELECTION TO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME

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                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Mr. Moore of 
Kansas, and I rise today to join my constituents in the Fifth District 
of Missouri and all baseball fans around the country in congratulating 
George Howard Brett, the first member of the Kansas City Royals to be 
elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. This 
well-deserved recognition is the highest honor in baseball. I salute 
George Brett, his family, and the entire Kansas City Royals 
organization on this achievement.
  George Brett's unique combination of talent, dedication, and 
commitment to one team, and his desire to give back to our community 
illustrates his worthiness of this honor. He played his entire career 
as No. 5 for 21 seasons in Kansas City where he achieved a career 
batting average of .305. Mr. Brett holds 3 American League batting 
titles and is a 13-time All Star. He is the only player in Major League 
history to have earned at least 3,000 hits, 300 home runs, 600 doubles, 
100 triples and 200 stolen bases. Mr. Brett powered the Kansas City 
Royals to a World Championship in 1985 with a .370 batting average for 
the Series. The members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America 
voted 98.19 percent in selecting Mr. Brett to the Hall of Fame. This is 
the fourth highest percentage in history.
  As a first and third baseman, George Brett was bigger than life when 
out on the field. Baseball fans remember when he chased the magical 
.400 batting average record set by Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox. 
Mr. Brett was so admired during his playing days that around town there 
were ``George Brett for President'' bumper stickers. Hard work and 
dedication made him a sports hero that kids from all over the Midwest 
and the nation still look up to as a role model. He truly is an 
inspiration to the young people of our nation and has made the game 
exciting for fans of all ages.
  We are all very proud of Mr. Brett and his accomplishments. Mr. 
Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Brett, his family and the 
Kansas City Royals for this monumental achievement.

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