[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 10, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S7434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO MLB ALL-STAR GAME AND THE SEATTLE MARINERS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 125 submitted earlier today by 
Senators Cantwell and Murray.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res 125) commemorating 72nd Major League 
     Baseball All-Star game and to congratulate the Seattle 
     Mariners on hosting the All-Star game and on their 
     extraordinary start to the season.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, today I rise to introduce a resolution 
to commemorate the 72nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game and to 
congratulate the Seattle Mariners on their extraordinary start to the 
season.
  The game of baseball is widely considered America's pastime. Walt 
Whitman once said: ``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, tend to relieve us from 
being a nervous, dyspeptic set, repair these losses, and be a blessing 
to us.''
  Baseball also has been a reflection of our nation's struggles and 
triumphs. During the Civil War, soldiers played baseball during their 
free moments, whether in a fort or in a prison camp. In 1942, President 
Franklin Delano Roosevelt requested that professional baseball continue 
during the war effort to help maintain our nation's morale, even as 
baseball stars such as Ted Williams and Bob Feller contributed to the 
war effort on the front lines as soldiers. During the civil rights 
movement, Jackie Robinson epitomized the struggle of African Americans 
as he broke baseball's color barrier and continued to fight prejudice 
throughout his career. Now today, as our world has become smaller, the 
game has become larger, uniting fans and attracting star players from 
around the world.
  The All-Star game is a showcase of this special sport and of 
baseball's most talented players, selected by baseball fans around the 
world and by All-Star Managers Joe Torre and Bobby Valentine. It is 
also a broader celebration of baseball as fans are treated to not only 
the All-Star game between the National League and the American League, 
but other events as well, including a FanFest featuring interactive 
games and displays, a homerun derby by baseball's greatest sluggers, a 
game between the top minor league baseball prospects of the American 
League and National League, and a softball game featuring All-Star game 
legends and other celebrities.
  It is an honor and pleasure for the City of Seattle to once again 
host this celebration. In 1979, Seattle hosted the 50th All-Star game 
in just the third season for the Seattle Mariners. After two years of 
planning, Seattle gave baseball fans what is still considered one of 
the greatest All-Star celebrations in the history of the event.
  That year, the Mariners were represented by only one All-Star, first 
baseman Bruce Bochte. A deserving player on a struggling team, Bochte 
had a pinch-hit, run-scoring single that evening--the first hit and RBI 
for a Mariners All-Star.
  This season, as Seattle hosts the 72nd All-Star Game, the Mariners 
are represented by eight players and Manager Lou Piniella. The eight 
Mariners players are the most to participate from one team since the 
1960 Pittsburgh Pirates also had eight players. This collection of 
talent--and the hard work, discipline, and determination that these 
players have demonstrated to reach All-Star status--is at the core of 
one of the best starts in Major League Baseball history. The Mariners 
have compiled a 63-24 record, the fourth best of all time after 87 
games. Importantly though, the team's success has resulted not only 
from the talents of All-Stars Bret Boone, Mike Cameron, Freddy Garcia, 
Edgar Martinez, Jeff Nelson, John Olerud, Kazuhiro Sasaki, and Ichiro 
Suzuki, but the contributions and teamwork of each player and coach.
  The work of Mariners General Manager Pat Gillick must also be 
recognized. Mr. Gillick has shrewdly made trades and acquired free 
agents who have contributed to the improvement of the Mariners both 
years he has been with the franchise. The result has been a team of 
remarkable consistency, discipline, and talent. Last year the Mariners 
finished with a franchise-record 91 victories and this year they are on 
pace to win over 110 games.
  Once again, I would like to commemorate the 72nd Major League 
Baseball All-Star game and the remarkable start by the Seattle 
Mariners.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
and preamble be agreed to en bloc, and the motion to reconsider be laid 
upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 125) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The text of S. Res. 125 is located in today's Record under 
``Submitted Resolutions.'')

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