[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 156 (Tuesday, November 13, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S11726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 178--CONGRATULATING BARRY BONDS ON HIS SPECTACULAR 
 RECORD-BREAKING SEASON IN 2001 AND OUTSTANDING CAREER IN MAJOR LEAGUE 
                                BASEBALL

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mrs. Boxer) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 178

       Whereas Barry Bonds has brought distinction to Major League 
     Baseball and excellence to the San Francisco Giants, 
     following in the baseball footsteps of his father, Bobby 
     Bonds, and his godfather, Willie Mays;
       Whereas Barry Bonds has had an outstanding career that so 
     far includes 3 Most Valuable Player awards, 10 All-Star Game 
     appearances, 8 Rawlings Gold Glove awards, and the 
     distinction of being named Player of the Decade for the 1990s 
     by the Sporting News;
       Whereas in 2001, Barry Bonds had 1 of the greatest seasons 
     in Major League Baseball history, achieving 73 home runs, a 
     slugging average of .863, and an on-base percentage of .515;
       Whereas Barry Bonds has established himself as the most 
     prolific single-season home run hitter in Major League 
     Baseball history, hitting his 73d home run on October 7, 
     2001, eclipsing the previous record of 70 home runs set by 
     Mark McGwire in 1998;
       Whereas Barry Bonds has attained the rank of 7th place on 
     the all-time Major League Baseball home run list with 567;
       Whereas Barry Bonds drove in 136 runs to set a Giants 
     franchise record for runs batted in by a left fielder, and 
     has recorded at least 100 RBI's in each of 10 different 
     seasons;
       Whereas of Barry Bonds's 73 home runs, 24 gave San 
     Francisco the lead and 7 tied the game;
       Whereas Barry Bonds also hit the 500th home run of his 
     career during the 2001 season, a 2-run game-winning home run 
     which landed in the waters of McCovey Cove, San Francisco;
       Whereas Barry Bonds, at age 37, is the oldest player in 
     Major League Baseball history to hit more than 50, 60, and 70 
     home runs in a single season;
       Whereas Barry Bonds has recorded 484 stolen bases in his 
     career, becoming the only Major League Baseball player to 
     both hit more than 400 home runs and steal more than 400 
     bases;
       Whereas Barry Bonds's 233 stolen bases achieved while 
     playing for San Francisco place him 6th on the Giants 
     franchise list behind his father, Bobby, who is 5th with 263 
     stolen bases;
       Whereas Barry Bonds has proven himself to be an active 
     leader not only in the Giants clubhouse but also in the 
     community, donating approximately $100,000 to the September 
     11th Fund to aid the victims of the terrorist attacks in New 
     York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania; and
       Whereas Barry Bonds has also devoted his time and money to 
     support the Link & Learn Program of the United Way, and has 
     been an active participant in numerous other San Francisco 
     Bay area community efforts: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates Barry Bonds on his spectacular record-
     breaking season in 2001 and outstanding career in Major 
     League Baseball;
       (2) wishes Barry Bonds continued success in the seasons to 
     come; and
       (3) thanks Barry Bonds for his contributions to baseball 
     and to his community.

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, I rise today to submit a resolution 
congratulating Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants for his historic 
achievements during the 2001 baseball season and to thank him for his 
contributions to baseball and his community.
  On October 7, 2001 at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, Barry Bonds 
hit his 73rd home run, setting a new record for most home runs in a 
season, eclipsing the previous mark of 70 set by Mark McGwire of the 
St. Louis Cardinals in 1998. In addition, during the 2001 campaign 
Barry Bonds set records for slugging percentage, 16 points above the 
previous mark, and most walks in a season, surpassing the feats of the 
immortal Babe Ruth.
  Barry Bonds' outstanding play on the field added to what was already 
a Hall of Fame career: 3 Most Valuable Player awards, 567 career home 
runs, 7th on the all-time list, the only player with more than 400 home 
runs and 400 stolen bases, 10 All-Star Game appearances, 8 Gold Glove 
awards, and the Sporting News' Player of the Decade for the 1990s.
  As a native San Franciscan and life-long San Francisco Giants fan, I 
could not be prouder of Barry Bonds. His roots in California and the 
Bay Area run deep. Born in Riverside, he grew up in San Mateo and 
attended Sierra High School. After attending Arizona State University 
and beginning his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Barry Bonds 
returned to his hometown team, the Giants, in 1993.
  No one should be surprised that Barry Bonds has reached the elite 
level of baseball players. After all, he is the son of former major 
league star and San Francisco Giant, Bobby Bonds, and the godson of 
perhaps the greatest living ball player, the great Willie Mays.
  His exploits in baseball are matched by his dedication to the 
community off the field. Seven years ago he founded the Barry Bonds 
Family Foundation, headed by his mother, Pat Bonds. The Foundation 
supports activities and programs opportunities of African American 
youth in the Bay Area. Barry Bonds and his Foundation are particularly 
involved in the United Way's ``Link and Learn'', a program dedicated to 
raising student achievement through greater parental involvement, 
access to tutoring and interactive technology.
  All baseball fans, even those of the Los Angeles Dodgers, can 
appreciate Barry Bonds' breathtaking skill, record setting performance, 
and commitment to his community. During a difficult time for our 
country, he gave us a reason to return to the ballpark and cheer him on 
the way to a new home run record. All over the country, fans rose from 
their seats for every at-bat, celebrated each home run, and even booed 
their own teams when they intentially walked him.
  At 37 years old, he is in the prime of his baseball career and I am 
sure he will amaze and dazzle us many more times in the future.
  Again, I congratulate Barry Bonds for his season and thank him for 
all that he has done for baseball and his community. I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution.

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