[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 91 (Thursday, June 24, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H4881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                BASEBALL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, America has a long-standing 
fascination with baseball.
  Perhaps only apple pie and the American flag can compete with its 
association to this country.
  And with good reason.
  Baseball, like many team sports, is beloved in part because of the 
unity it brings to our nation's communities.
  Poet Walt Whitman once wrote, ``I see great things in baseball. It's 
our game--the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill 
them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. (It will) 
repair these losses and be a blessing to us.''
  Throughout times of hardship and strife, baseball has been a constant 
source of entertainment and pride, on both a local and national level.
  In towns and cities across the country, friends and family gather 
together to pull for the home team, play baseball together in their 
backyards, or gather around their televisions to cheer for their 
favorite players.
  In the Third District of North Carolina, which I am proud to 
represent, a group of young men recently gave their community and the 
entire state a reason to celebrate.
  The Rose High baseball team from Greenville, NC had an undefeated 
season this year, winning 28 games and capturing the second 4-A State 
title in three years.
  These 29 young men embody the spirit of teamwork.
  They have proven that with enough hard work and dedication, success 
is within the reach of every young person who dares to achieve it.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt that every one of these outstanding 
baseball players can appreciate their victory.
  But what they have learned on their path to success may be even more 
valuable than a perfect 28-0 season.
  One of the greatest lessons that I learned growing up, playing team 
sports, is the ability to work together to accomplish a goal.
  Playing baseball and basketball in school, I learned to work hard 
because I knew that my teammates were depending on me to always do my 
best.
  This work ethic is something that I have carried with me throughout 
my life.
  I use it now in Congress to face the challenges of working with 434 
other Members of the House.
  Sometimes we have disagreements, but our greatest successes come when 
we work together as a team.
  The Rose High Rampant's have already mastered this lesson.
  And all the while, they have let us watch and cheer from the 
sidelines.
  Mr. Speaker, part of the enjoyment in watching these young men play 
and succeed is watching the families and the community that rally 
behind the players.
  Baseball is a team sport and its instills a sense of excitement and 
enthusiasm to all that watch and participate behind the scenes.
  Because of the community spirit that baseball inspires, when Rose 
won, we all won.
  I salute the players, coaches, families, and fans that made this 
championship possible.
  To the players . . . James Bengala, Jr., Kenneth Biggs, Jeffrey 
Blick, William Brinson, Ashley Capps, David Creech, John Finch, Brian 
Flye, Michael Gordon, Matthew Grace, Michael Harrington, Kelly Hodges, 
Dylan Jackson, John Landen, Vincent Langston, Jefferson Lea, Vincent 
Logan, Demond Mayo, Julian Morgan, Adrian Moye, James Paige, IV, Bryan 
Pair, Justin Phillips, Robert Riggs II, William Teel, Reid Twine, Adam 
Tysinger, Joseph White, and Jesse Williams III.
  Coach Ronald Vincent and assistant coaches . . . Paul Hill, Marvin 
Jarman, Steven Lovett, Ryan Meadows, and Eric Jarman and coaches, 
congratulations.
  You brought together your community.
  And through your dedication and hard work, you have made us all 
proud.
  Thank you Rose High State champions for letting us share in your 
success.




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