[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 130 (Tuesday, October 2, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H6083-H6086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING TONY GWYNN ON ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM
BASEBALL
Mrs. MORELLA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 198) congratulating Tony Gwynn on the
announcement of his retirement from the San Diego Padres and from Major
League Baseball.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 198
Whereas Tony Gwynn has a lifetime batting average of .338,
15th on the all-time career leaders list, which includes
baseball legends as Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby, and Tris
Speaker;
Whereas Gwynn has 3,127 career hits, and only 16 players
have more hits than Gwynn, including Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, and
Stan Musial;
Whereas Gwynn is the owner of eight Silver Bats for the
eight batting titles he has won, tying him for the National
League record with Honus Wagner, with only Ty Cobb of the
American League having won more titles;
Whereas among the all-time Padres career leaders, Gwynn is
first in batting average, hits, runs batted in, and runs;
Whereas Gwynn has not only proven to be a great hitter but
a great defensive player, winning five Gold Glove awards;
Whereas of the 20 seasons Gwynn has played, he has had a
batting average of .300 or better in 19 of those seasons;
Whereas throughout his career, Gwynn has been selected to
16 All-Star teams;
Whereas Gwynn has played in two World Series, in 1984 and
1998;
Whereas, in an era when money dominates the game of
baseball, Tony Gwynn chose to play in San Diego for the
Padres when it was believed that he could have earned more
money with another team in another city;
Whereas Gwynn is an example of good sportsmanship, having
always conducted himself with dignity, and has been a role
model for young people and for all Americans;
Whereas Gwynn has proven himself to be an active leader not
only in the clubhouse but also in the community;
Whereas Gwynn and his wife Alicia are philanthropists
dedicated to their support for the Tony and Alicia Gwynn
Foundation, the Casa de Amparo, the Police Athletic League,
the New Haven Home, the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, the
Epilepsy Society of San Diego, and many more organizations;
and
Whereas for his community involvement, Gwynn was named
Individual of the Year at the 1998 Equal Opportunity Awards
Dinner, was the 1995 Branch Rickey Award winner, and was the
1998 Padres nominee for Major League Baseball's Roberto
Clemente Man of the Year Award: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates
Tony Gwynn on the announcement of his retirement, honors him
for an outstanding career, and thanks him for his
contributions to baseball and to his community.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).
General Leave
Mrs. MORELLA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
on H. Res. 198.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Maryland?
There was no objection.
Mrs. MORELLA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Our colleague the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) introduced
House Resolution 198 on July 17, 2001. The gentlewoman from Indiana
(Ms. Carson) cosponsored the measure. The legislation was referred to
the Committee on Government Reform on July 17.
I rise in strong support of House Resolution 198, a resolution
congratulating Tony Gwynn on his distinguished career with the San
Diego Padres. Tony Gwynn has announced his retirement from his home
team and Major League Baseball. This legislation commends Tony Gwynn on
his many achievements: a lifetime batting average of .338, which is
15th best all time; his ownership of eight silver bats of the eight
National League batting titles that he has won; and his career total of
3,140 hits, and counting.
Madam Speaker, Tony Gwynn has not only proven to be a great hitter
but also a great defensive player, winning five Gold Glove awards. He
has been selected to 16 All-Star teams and has played in two World
Series, in 1984 and 1998.
{time} 1530
Tony Gwynn epitomizes good sportsmanship, always conducting himself
with dignity. He is a role model for young people, young athletes, and
all Americans.
He is a leader not only in the clubhouse, but also in the community.
He is a supporter of the Police Athletic League, the Casa de Amparo,
the New Haven Home, the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, the Epilepsy
Society of San Diego, and many other philanthropic organizations.
Additionally, Gwynn and his wife, Alicia, have established the Tony and
Alicia Gwynn Foundation.
[[Page H6084]]
Tony has been recognized for his community involvement. He was named
Individual of the Year at the 1998 Equal Opportunity Awards Dinner, was
the 1995 Branch Rickey Award winner, and was the 1998 Padres nominee
for Major League Baseball's Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award.
Madam Speaker, Tony Gwynn has been an asset to professional baseball
and to his community. He has had an outstanding career; and on behalf
of all Americans, I thank him for his contributions and the joy that he
has brought to the sport of baseball. I want to wish him and his wife,
Alicia, and his two children, Anthony II and Anisha Nicole, a very
happy and fulfilling life together as Tony enjoys his retirement.
Madam Speaker, I want to take the opportunity to commend the
distinguished gentlewoman from California for introducing House
Resolution 198 and for her hard work in ensuring its passage.
I urge all Members to support H. Res. 198.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, when I was a child, my mother used to try and convince
us to work by telling us that we should never rest until your good
becomes better and your better becomes best.
Tony Gwynn is one of the best hitters in baseball history. Between
1994 and 1997, he won four consecutive batting titles, with averages
better than .350. The left-handed outfielder became the first National
League player in more than 70 years to accomplish this feat.
Gwynn's eight total career batting titles tie him with Honus Wagner
for second on the all-time list. Only Ty Cobb, with 12 career batting
titles, has more.
Anthony Keith Gwynn was born in Los Angeles and educated at San Diego
State University, where he played baseball and basketball. He was
selected by the San Diego Padres of the National League in 1981 in the
free agent draft. After playing in the minor leagues, he joined the
Padres in 1982.
In 1984, Gwynn led the National League in batting with a .351 average
and helped lead the Padres to the National League pennant. In 1987,
Gwynn topped the league again, with a .370 average, the highest
National League mark since Stan Musial hit .376 in 1948. Gwynn then led
the league in batting for the next two seasons, with averages of .313
and .336.
He did not win the batting title from 1990 to 1993, but he maintained
his excellent hitting, registering averages of .309, .317, .317, and
.358. In 1994, the Major League season ended in August because of a
player strike, but Gwynn reclaimed the batting title by hitting .394 in
the abbreviated campaign. This was the highest average in the major
leagues since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941.
Over the next three seasons, Gwynn extended his string of batting
titles, batting .368 in 1995, .353 in 1996, and .372 in 1997. He became
the first National League player to top .350 in five consecutive
seasons since Rogers Hornsby achieved that feat in six straight
campaigns from 1920 to 1925.
Although best known for his hitting, Gwynn was recognized for his
fine fielding during several seasons and won five Gold Glove Awards as
one of the best defensive outfielders in the National League in 1986,
1987, 1989, and 1991.
I congratulate the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) for
introducing this resolution and would urge its support.
Mrs. MORELLA. Madam Speaker, I reserve my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such
time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs.
Davis), the author of this resolution.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support
of my resolution in congratulating and commemorating Tony Gwynn of the
San Diego Padres upon his retirement from Major League Baseball. After
20 amazing seasons, Tony has decided to retire from the Padres and from
baseball.
At San Diego State University, Tony was actually a basketball star, a
game that he thought came more natural to him. But when a career in
basketball was not likely, Tony had to work hard at the game of
baseball to get to the skill level he is at now.
Tony is living proof that if you work hard, you can achieve almost
anything. Tony has studied the game, he has studied the art of hitting.
And years later, he has not rested at the game of baseball; but,
rather, he still watches and studies film and analyzes pitchers.
His strong work ethic paid off. Soon after Tony signed with the
Padres, he immediately established himself as a consistent hitter. In
his first full season with the Padres, he had a batting average of .351
and won his first of eight batting championships. In that first year of
1984, he took his team to the World Series.
After that season, Tony never hit below .300. He currently has a
lifetime batting average of .338, which is fifteenth on the all-time
career list, a list that includes Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby, and Tris
Speaker.
Two years ago, Tony reached a coveted baseball milestone by getting
his 3,000th hit. His career hit total now is 3,139; and he has got a
game to go. So we are still counting.
While he has proven himself adept at hitting, Tony has proven himself
also to be a great defensive player, winning five Gold Glove Awards.
This year, Tony topped off a Hall of Fame career as an honorary player
in the All-Star game. It was his sixteenth All-Star game appearance.
As well as his leadership on the field, Tony has proven to be a
leader off the field. He and his wife, Alicia, have been active in so
many organizations in San Diego. Tony has been involved with dozens,
such as his Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation. He has also lent his time
to the San Diego Police Athletic Leagues, the Jackie Robinson YMCA, and
the Casa de Amparo, just to name a few of the organizations that he and
his wife have been involved in. And he was been rewarded for his
efforts. In 1998, Tony was named Individual of the Year at the Equal
Opportunity Awards Dinner.
Throughout his career, Tony has been an example of good
sportsmanship, having conducted himself with dignity. He has been such
an exemplary role model for young people and for all Americans. Many
people believe that Tony could have left the San Diego Padres to play
in another city with another team for much more money than he was
earning in San Diego. But he chose to stay. He chose to stay in San
Diego, for his love of the game and his love of San Diego, a rare act
today.
On October 7 of this year, an era will come to an end in San Diego,
the era of one of the greatest hitters in the game of baseball; the era
of a San Diego sports icon; the era of Tony Gwynn.
It will be strange now to watch a San Diego Padres game and not see
Tony come up to the plate in a clutch situation. Of course, we all
expect him to get a hit.
Tony Gwynn has always been a staple of San Diego and is a true
hometown hero. I hope my colleagues will join me in honoring a great
baseball player and a great human being for his tremendous
accomplishments.
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such
time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Ms. Carson), a
real patron of the game of baseball, but more a patron of excellence.
Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Illinois for yielding me time. I certainly also thank the honorable
gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).
Mr. Speaker, I am not going to be redundant, because there are so
many wonderful accolades that we could give retiring Tony Gwynn in this
hour. But in deference of time, let me just very briefly give honor to
whom honor is due.
I have known Tony Gwynn; his wife, Alicia Gwynn; their son, Anthony
II; and daughter, Anisha for many years. As a matter of fact, they have
dual residence. They also have property in Indianapolis, Indiana; and
truly Alicia and Tony have been very generous to the community in
Indianapolis, Indiana. They undergird the principle unto whom much is
given, much is required.
Tony is fifteenth on the all-time hit list, with over 3,140 hits. He
has won eight batting titles and is a 15-time All Star. He will join
the baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot. He is only the
[[Page H6085]]
fifth National League player and seventeenth overall to play at least
20 seasons in the Major Leagues with one team.
In 1994, Tony hit for the highest average, .394, since Ted Williams
hit above .400 in 1941.
Behind all these baseball achievements, Tony is a man who cares and
supports the community. As we have heard from previous speakers, he has
been acclaimed in so many ways. He won the Roberto Clemente Man of the
Year Award, which recognizes the player who best combines sportsmanship
and community involvement with excellence on the field. He is a man who
received the 1999 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, given annually by the Phi
Delta Theta Fraternity to the Major League player who best exemplifies
the character and the leadership of the Hall of Fame first baseman,
both on the field and off. He has been inducted into the World Sport
Humanitarian Hall of Fame in Boise, Idaho, and received the Branch
Rickey Award as the top community activist in Major League baseball.
Mr. Speaker, if I was a publicist for Tony Gwynn, I think I would
make it very simple and simply say ``Gwynn wins,'' because Tony Gwynn
has won a place in the hearts of all of the sports enthusiasts across
the country, across the world, and Tony Gwynn wins the hearts of all of
the young people that he has touched and that he has been a wonderful
example for throughout his lifetime.
As we celebrate America, let us celebrate an extraordinary American,
Tony Gwynn, who stands for all that is right in America; a true
sportsman, a man who exudes family values in the very highest sense. I
am blessed that I know the Gwynn family. I have won by knowing the
Gwynn family.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, my mother probably just said it best when she said,
good, better, and best. Never rest until your good becomes better and
your better becomes best. Tony Gwynn was always among the best.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, in sequence, we have talked about two of the best
baseball players who are retiring; and we look upon them as role
models, as great Americans, participating with great excellence in the
American sport of baseball. So I congratulate the sponsor of this
legislation, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Davis), and the
cosponsors. I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for
managing the bills on that side of the aisle. I urge all Members to
support House Resolution 198.
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to honor not
only a great baseball player but also a great citizen of San Diego.
Tony Gwynn epitomizes excellence on and off the field of play. On the
field he has awards and accolades most players can only dream about:
the highest batting average among active players, over 3,000 hits, 8
batting titles, and 5 gold gloves.
Off the field, he has given back to his beloved community, San Diego.
Tony and his wife, Alicia, established the Tony and Alicia Gwynn
Foundation in 1994 to fund deserving local charitable organizations. He
is also a leading participant in the Padres Scholars program that
provides $125,000 per year in college scholarships for San Diego middle
school students. He is active in various other philanthropic
organizations, including the Police Athletic League, Casa de Amparo,
the New Haven Home and the Epilepsy Society of San Diego. For his work,
Tony was named the 1999 Roberto Clemente Man of the Year, given
annually to the Major League Baseball player who combines extraordinary
skills on the baseball field while being devoted to his community.
Tony Gwynn will continue giving back to the only community he has
ever played baseball for by returning to his alma mater, San Diego
State University, to become its baseball coach following the 2002
college season. There he will teach young players the intricacies of
the game he has helped shape.
It's been a joy to watch Tony Gwynn play the game--and I join his
friends and family and wish him luck with the beginning of his coaching
career. Everybody knows he will be a success because he does not know
the meaning of the word failure.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and commend
my constituent from Poway, California: Tony Gwynn of the San Diego
Padres, for his achievements on and off the field.
Mr. Speaker at the end of this season, Tony Gwynn will end his
storied career in San Diego. I want to congratulate him for his hard
work and commitment.
Mr. Speaker on August 6, 1999, Tony Gwynn hit the 3,000th base hit of
his career. As many baseball fans know, this was not an easy
accomplishment. In the history of Major League Baseball, only 22 other
ball-players hit 3,000 or more base hits. This achievement places Tony
Gwynn in the pantheon of baseball legends including: Roberto Clemente,
Lou Brock, and Hank Aaron.
In 20 seasons, all with the San Diego Padres, Tony Gwynn has been the
master of putting the ball into play. In the Padres 1998 National
League Championship season, Tony had almost as many home runs as
strikeouts, and struck out looking only three times. His hands are
lightning-quick and he's able to wait until the last millisecond before
connecting with the ball wherever it is pitched. He goes after the
first good pitch he sees and almost always hits it, so he rarely walks.
And Tony is renowned for his ability to hit balls through the left side
of the infield.
Tony has batted over .300 in 19 of those seasons and in the strike-
shortened season of 1994, batted an amazing .394. His career batting
average is an astounding .338.
Futhermore, off the baseball diamond, Tony has been a tremendous
asset to the San Diego community. Tony, along with his wife Alicia,
have given their time and effort in philanthropic causes. They don't
like to talk about community efforts, but the Gwynns are involved in
more than two dozen organizations--San Diego Police Athletic Leagues,
Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, Padres Scholars, the Casa de Amparao,
Neighborhood House, the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA to name a few--that
benefit from his time, attention and money.
In 1998, Tony led all Padres players in community appearances and
joined seven-time American League batting champion Rod Carew for a
historic youth batting clinic in Culiacin, Mexico, in March 1998. In
addition, Tony was named the Individual of the Year at the 1998 Equal
Opportunity Awards Dinner. He was also the 1995 Branch Rickey Award
winner, and 1998 Padres Nominee for Major League Baseball's Roberto
Clemente Man of the Year Award.
These days children often pay to get professional athletes'
autograph, picture, or signed memorabilia. Tony Gwynn has no part of
this. Tony stays late at events to sign autographs; he's nice to young
people; he's nice to everybody. I hope my colleagues will join me in
honoring this tremendous individual for his multitude of
accomplishments.
I want to submit for the Record a copy of a resolution that I
introduced last Congress, and urge all my Colleagues to support this
resolution today.
H. Res. 284
Whereas on August 6, 1999, Anthony (`Tony') Gwynn, of the
San Diego Padres major league baseball organization, hit his
3,000th career base hit;
Whereas the last person in the National League to have
3,000 career base hits was Lou Brock, on August 13, 1979;
Whereas in the history of major league baseball, only 22
other players have 3,000 or more base hits in their careers,
including such greats as Roberto Clemente, Rod Carew, and
Hank Aaron;
Whereas Tony Gwynn is considered to be one of the greatest
major league hitters of the modern era, and was proclaimed
the `Greatest Hitter Since Ted Williams' by Sports
Illustrated;
Whereas Tony Gwynn has won eight batting titles, tied for
the National League record only with Honus Wagner, and topped
only by the American League legend Ty Cobb;
Whereas throughout his career Tony Gwynn has consistently
conducted himself with dignity, modesty, and selflessness
that has been an inspiration to all Americans;
Whereas Tony Gwynn has also distinguished himself off the
baseball diamond as an active and valued member of the San
Diego community;
Whereas Tony Gwynn, along with his wife Alicia, continue
their award-winning philanthropic efforts, and are extremely
active in supporting the Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation,
the Casa de Amparo, Police Athletic League, New Haven Home,
Neighborhood House, the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, the
Epilepsy Society of San Diego, and many more organizations;
Whereas in 1998, Tony Gwynn led all Padres players in
community appearances and joined seven-time American League
batting champion Rod Carew for a historic youth batting
clinic in Culiacan, Mexico, in March 1998; and
Whereas Tony Gwynn was named the Individual of the Year at
the 1998 Equal Opportunity Awards Dinner, was the 1995 Branch
Rickey Award winner, as well as the 1998 Padres nominee for
Major League Baseball's Roberto Clemente Man of the Year
Award: Now, therefore, be it
[[Page H6086]]
Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates
and commends Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres for his
amazing accomplishments on and off the baseball field, and
thanks him for many years of unsurpassed baseball excitement.
Mr. HUNTER, Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the outstanding
achievements of baseball great, Tony Gwynn, and give my full support to
H. Res. 198, introduced by my San Diego colleague, Susan Davis.
Throughout his 20 year career as a professional baseball player with
the San Diego Padres, Tony Gwynn has been a role model both on and off
the field.
October 7th will mark the end of Tony Gwynn's professional baseball
career as a player; a career played entirely in San Diego. Only 16
players in baseball history have played at least 20 seasons and spent
their entire career with one team.
Throughout his remarkable career, the future Hall of Famer compiled a
lifetime batting average of .338, gained over 3,000 hits (17th most in
major league history), won 8 batting championships, 5 Gold Gloves, and
is a 15-time National League All-Star. He currently leads all active
players in career batting average, hits, and strikeout to walk ratio.
He has struck out only 425 times in 9,186 career at bats; averaging
only one strike out every 23.8 plate appearances.
Not all of Tony Gwynn's accomplishments have been on the field. His
ties to the San Diego community are just as strong as his numbers in
the field. It is well known that Tony and his wife, Alicia, are great
contributors to humanitarian efforts and devote themselves to community
service. While they are widely recognized for helping build and furnish
a YMCA in San Diego, what is not as well known are the other
philanthropic efforts in which the Gwynns participated. They have
helped pay funeral costs for those who could not afford them, obtained
Christmas presents for needy families, and bought blocks of Padre
tickets for children to sit near him in the right field seats.
Tony and his wife have a son, Anthony II and a daughter, Anisha
Nicole. Anthony is a freshman baseball player at San Diego State
University, which is his father's alma mater. Now Anthony will have the
ability to play once again with his first coach. Tony recently accepted
the head coaching position for next year's San Diego State baseball
team, continuing his efforts to give back to the community and the
sport he loved so much.
Mr. Speaker, Tony Gywnn is deservedly one of the most respected and
admired professional athletes in the world. His dedication to his
profession, family, and community provides a role model we all can look
up to. We will miss number 19 in the Padre line-up, but thank him for
all the great moments he has given to the San Diego community and wish
him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 1545
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Walden of Oregon). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) that
the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 198.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________