[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING HENRY ``HANK'' AARON ON 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF BREAKING 
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HOME RUN RECORD AND RECOGNIZING HIM AS ONE OF THE 
                 GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYERS OF ALL TIME

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 19, 1999

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of the greatest 
baseball players in history--Henry ``Hank'' Aaron. During his major 
league career--a career which spanned nearly a quarter century--Hank 
Aaron broke more batting records than any other player in Major League 
baseball.
  Twenty-five years ago, on April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron hit his 715th 
home run--breaking the Major League Record for career home runs held 
previously by Babe Ruth. Hank Aaron still holds a place in the heart of 
every baseball fan. Along with Ruth, Willie Mays, and Ted Williams, 
Aaron was recently elected by the fans to the MasterCard All-Century 
Team.
  But Hank Aaron was more than just batting titles, All-Star games and 
home run records. He was an important part of my childhood, and the 
childhood of anyone growing up in Milwaukee in the 1950's. I remember 
going to Milwaukee County Stadium to watch the great Milwaukee Braves 
teams of the 1950s. The Stadium was always packed--even though 
Milwaukee was the second smallest city in the Major Leagues, the 
Milwaukee Braves were the first National League team to draw two 
million fans in a season.
  Hank Aaron was the reason so many people came to watch the Braves. He 
began his career with Milwaukee in 1952, when a scout recruited him for 
a Braves farm team. Two years later, Aaron made his first major league 
appearance. He went on to spend 13 years with the Milwaukee Braves, 
hitting a total of 398 home runs and leading the Braves to two league 
pennants and a World Series victory in 1957. On September 20, 1965, 
Aaron became the last Milwaukee player to hit a home run in Milwaukee 
County Stadium.
  Nearly a decade later, after a brilliant career in Atlanta, Aaron 
returned to Milwaukee--this time for the Milwaukee Brewers. He ended 
his career there, retiring in 1976.
  Hank Aaron is an integral part of the history of baseball and the 
history of Milwaukee. I am pleased to join my colleagues in honoring 
Hammerin' Hank Aaron.

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