[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 39 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH PAUL DiMAGGIO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 1999

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Ms. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
memory of the greatest baseball player who ever lived. Joe DiMaggio was 
my hero and a hero to our Nation. I am saddened by his passing, and I 
extend my heartfelt sympathy to his friends and family. The Yankee 
Clipper personified dignity and greatness. He understood the importance 
of having both guts and grace, and he took his responsibility as a 
national figure seriously.
  DiMaggio and dignity are synonyms. Mr. DiMaggio viewed his position 
as an example to the young people of America and was always careful 
about the impression he made. He never lost control in public and was 
always conscious of his reputation and responsibility. He played every 
game as if it were the last game of the World Series, so someone seeing 
him for the first time would not be disappointed.
  The people of my district in Kansas City, MO, were fortunate enough 
to see Mr. DiMaggio play in an exhibition game against the Kansas City 
Blues. A Yankee teammate and Kansas City resident Hank Bauer said of 
DiMaggio, ``He was the most outstanding center fielder I have seen.'' 
He taught America what it means to embrace excellence and strive for 
greatness without seeking acclaim. I and others of my generation are in 
public service today because of role models like Joe DiMaggio.
  Joe DiMaggio served as an inspiration to my generation. Simon and 
Garfunkel memorialized his leadership in their song Mrs. Robinson. The 
lyrics, ``Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio? Our Nation turns its lonely 
eyes to you,'' express dismay at the absence of heroes like the Yankee 
Clipper to lead our Nation to peace and prosperity.
  The number five will always hold a special place in the hearts of 
Yankee fans everywhere. His record of safe hits in 56 consecutive games 
might never be broken. His lifetime batting average of .325 and his 361 
career home runs remain impressive numbers even when we have new heroes 
such as Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. He led his Yankee to nine World 
Series titles and was the American League's Most Valuable Player three 
times. As our Nation turns its lonely eyes once more toward this hero, 
let us learn from his life and his example of heroism. In the words of 
the Negro League Legend Buck O'Neil, ``I don't cry for Joe. I cry for 
the people who never got to see him play.''

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