[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S3528]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATIONS TO SENATOR BUNNING

 Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate our 
friend and colleague from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Senator 
Bunning, on the occasion of his number being retired by the 
Philadelphia Phillies.
  On April 6, Senator Bunning's number, 14, will become only the fifth 
number to be retired in the franchise's 119-year history. The Senator 
from Kentucky will join fellow Hall of Famers Robin Roberts, Richie 
Ashburn, Steve Carlton, and Mike Schmidt. The honor to be bestowed is 
fitting for the pitcher who led the majors in wins, innings and 
strikeouts from 1955 to 1971.
  This is one of many accolades in a distinguished career in 
professional athletics and public service. Senator Bunning was elected 
to the baseball Hall of Fame after a career in the Major Leagues which 
spanned seventeen seasons. At the time of his retirement from the big 
leagues in 1971, he ranked second only to the great Walter Johnson in 
career strikeouts with 2,855. The Senator is identified as an 
``intimidating right-handed sidearmer'' on his Hall of Fame plaque. His 
brilliant career may have reached its pinnacle on June 21, 1964, 
Father's Day, when the father who has raised nine children threw a 
perfect game. With this feat Jim Bunning became the first pitcher in 
the twentieth century to throw a no-hitter both in the National and 
American leagues.
  I have been fortunate enough to witness many of the distinguished 
Senator's accomplishments in public service. I first met Jim Bunning in 
the House of Representatives in the 102nd Congress. My wife Karen also 
met Mary Bunning, Jim's amazing wife and mother of those nine children. 
She was Karen's big sister and continues to be a great friend to both 
of us. During the 103rd Congress I served with Jim on the Ways and 
Means Committee. In 1998, the people of Kentucky elected Jim Bunning to 
the U.S. Senate where I am proud to serve with him once again.
  It is with great pleasure that I commend my friend and colleague, 
Senator Bunning, for his remarkable career as a Hall of Fame pitcher. I 
ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating him on this 
milestone relative to his performance as a member of the Philadelphia 
Phillies. Once again quoting from the right-hander's Hall of Fame 
plaque, he has ``maintained dedication and consistency'' throughout his 
career as a Major League pitcher, as a member of the U.S. House of 
Representatives and the U.S. Senate. His service is an example of 
excellence for young and old, including his thirty-five grandchildren. 
I congratulate him and I applaud him for his service.

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