[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5628-S5629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
  PAYING TRIBUTE TO ALLAN ``BUD'' SELIG, COMMISSIONER OF MAJOR LEAGUE 
                                BASEBALL

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise to commend Mr. Allan ``Bud'' 
Selig for his tireless efforts to make the recent baseball series 
between the Cuban National Team and the Baltimore Orioles a reality. 
Not only did this series bring together teams from two nations with a 
great love of baseball, but it bridged a gap between two peoples who 
share a great deal in common.

[[Page S5629]]

  Baseball is often called the ``American Pastime,'' and with good 
reason. Few events are greater harbingers of the coming of summer than 
the first pitches in ball parks around the country. Millions of parents 
across this nation carve time out of their days to teach their child 
how to throw a baseball or to coach a little league team. And millions 
of American children count their first baseball glove among their most 
treasured possessions.
  Baseball, however, is not only an American tradition. Rather, it is 
treasured with equal fervor and excitement by Cubans less than 100 
miles from our shore. There, too, baseball is the national pastime. 
Countless Cuban and American children play little league baseball with 
visions of a future in the major leagues. Just as Americans eagerly 
count down to opening day, Cubans anticipate the first pitch of a new 
season with a mix of anticipation and excitement.
  Not only do Cubans and Americans share their deep love of baseball, 
they also both play the game with great skill. Indeed, some of 
America's finest players hail from Cuba.
  In spite of this close connection, however, politics has kept 
American and Cuban teams from visiting each other's stadiums for nearly 
four decades. This artificial separation remained intact until this 
spring when the Cuban National Team hosted the Baltimore Orioles in 
Havana. That game marked the opening day, not just of a two game home-
and-home series, but hopefully of a new season in the relationship 
between two of the world's greatest lovers of baseball.
  The series, which continued in Baltimore this month, would never have 
come about if it were not for the courage and dedication of Bud Selig. 
His efforts succeeded where those of hundreds of diplomats and 
politicians have failed: he managed to bring the Cuban and American 
people together to celebrate the game they love so dearly.
  I recognize that the process of arranging these two games was rarely 
easy. At times, it seemed that the opening pitch would remain forever 
out of reach. Yet, Mr. Selig persisted and brought the two teams 
closest to our capitals--and their fans--together for two historic 
games. Our nation should be proud of and grateful to Mr. Selig for his 
efforts and look forward to additional contact between the Cuban and 
American peoples, both on and off the baseball diamond.

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