[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 6, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H642]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO JOHN RUIZ, FIRST HISPANIC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Baca) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to salute 
John Ruiz, who with his victory this past weekend became the first 
Hispanic heavyweight boxing champion of the world.
  The victory will be an inspiration to all Hispanic youth, indeed to 
all Americans, that if you work hard, that if you have tenacity and if 
you have persistence and the vision, there is nothing that you cannot 
achieve.
  That is the American dream, the hope that some day greatness will 
rise up in all of us.
  In the past several decades, several notable Hispanics have fought 
for the world heavyweight champion title and despite their valor have 
not achieved it.
  John's win has a special personal significance. The fight this 
weekend meant a lot to me and many individuals across America. As a 
former baseball player both in high school and semi-pro and major 
league softball and a golfer, I recognize the special labor of our 
athletes and the inspiration that athletics can play in our lives and 
particularly to minority youth.
  Athletics can be a motivational factor, something that gives us a 
sense of identity, something to work for. Athletics ultimately caused 
me to finish school, serve my country in the military, go to college, 
become a community college trustee member, an assembly member, a State 
Senator and a Member of Congress. It is not always easy, but I had role 
models. And I am pleased that John is a role model for today's youth. I 
would hope that Hispanic youth, indeed all of the youth of America, 
look at the achievement of John Ruiz and see that they can reach 
ultimately great heights. Whether it is in athletics, academics or in 
the world of business, science, public service or arts, America's youth 
need to know that we believe in them and that they should believe in 
themselves because God gave us all that talent.
  In the short run, there is nothing so sweet as a victory and nothing 
so stinging as defeat, but what is ultimately important is good 
sportsmanship, good conduct, playing a worthy game and facing a worthy 
adversary and living to fight another day.
  In that sense, both John Ruiz and Holyfield are to be saluted and 
honored, for they fought with their heart, they fought for their souls 
and they gave America a very exciting match, one that demonstrated 
athletic artistry and great courage under fire. They should raise their 
hands together in a clasp of goodwill, knowing that they have fought 
the good fight, the noble fight. Their bruises will heal but they will 
always share a brotherhood of having met in the ring where champions 
are made and courage is tested.
  I am sure that John's community where he got his start in boxing is 
very proud of his achievement. John's hometown is Chelsea, one of the 
largest Hispanic populations in greater Boston. It is a mecca for most 
of all-time boxing greats.
  I also would like to salute John's family, his wife Sahara and their 
children, John and Jocelyn, and this achievements. I say, 
congratulations. God bless you.

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