[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 103 (Thursday, July 25, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENSE OF THE HOUSE REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF MANDATORY STEROID 
               TESTING PROGRAM FOR MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. W.J. (BILLY) TAUZIN

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 22, 2002

  Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, no one know precisely when it was, though 
most historians agree that in the 1840's, on the Elysian Fields in New 
Jersey, a group of men led by Alexander Joy Cartwright began to play 
what would later develop into baseball. In the ensuing century and a 
half, much has changed in America, but this magical game endures.
  From Cap Anson and Cy Young to Sammy Sosa and Randy Johnson, the men 
who have played professional baseball have served as an inspiration to 
America's children, both boys and girls. As far back as the turn of the 
century, the great stars recognized their impact on the children of the 
nation. Perhaps the greatest shortstop of all-time, Honus Wagner, 
demanded that his name not be associated with certain products so as 
not to encourage children to take up vices.
  The men who have played this game, our national past-time, have 
inspired us both with their athletic accomplishments as well as their 
human achievements. The list of memorable events and remarkable feats 
of athleticism are long: Cy Young with his 511 wins; Babe Ruth's 
mammoth home runs; Walter Johnson's side-arm fastball; Lou Gehrig's 
2,130 consecutive game streak; Ted Williams hitting .406 in 1941, the 
same year Joe DiMaggio had a 56 game hit streak; the great Jackie 
Robinson integrating the pasttime; Bobby Thomson taking Ralph Branca 
deep in the ``shot heard 'round the world''; Willie Mays' unbelievable 
over the shoulder catch; Don Larson's perfect game in the 1956 World 
Series; Bill Mazeroski's home run to win the 1960 World Series; Sandy 
Koufax's curveball; Bob Gibson's intimidation; The Amazin' Mets 
incredible run in 1969; Carlton Fisk waving the home run fair in game 
six; Reggie Jackson's three home runs in 1977; Nolan Ryan's seven no-
hitters and 5000+ strikeouts; Kirk Gibson hobbling out of the dugout to 
hit the game-winning home run in the 1988 World Series; Joe Carter 
ending the 1993 World Series with a home run in the bottom of the 
ninth; Edgar Renteria winning an improbable World Series for the 
Marlins with an extra-inning single; Cal Ripken breaking Gehrig's 
streak; the Mark McGwire/Sammy Sosa home run duel; and just last year, 
the heroics of Derek Jeter and Scott Brosius eclipsed by the timely 
hitting of Luis Gonzalez in one of the best World Series of all-time, 
the very same year that Barry Bonds hit 73 home runs. These are just a 
few of the moments which have defined our game for more than 150 years 
and have inspired countless Americans. Baseball is truly the all-
American game--one that carries special meaning for rich and poor and 
people from all walks of life.
  But there is a dark cloud gathering over the game. People have 
quietly spoken about steroid abuse in baseball for the past decade or 
so, but since there was no steroid testing, it was only talk. Now, 
however, we're told by former National League MVP Ken Caminiti that up 
to half of all baseball players are using steroids.
  Who knows what the exact number is? However, it should be noted that 
baseball is one of the few professional sports that does not test for 
performance enhancing drugs. Football, basketball and the Olympics all 
ban and test for the use of steroids, but regrettably, baseball does 
not enforce its ban.
  Unfortunately, the specter of steroids over our national pastime 
threatens the credibility of the game. Numerous studies have shown the 
deleterious health effects steroids have on users. Steroids have been 
linked to liver damage, kidney-failure, heart disease and brain tumors. 
And now tens of millions of children are receiving mixed messages about 
these dangerous drugs. Boys and girls see their idols admit to steroid 
usage and become desensitized to the drugs' dangers.
  It's long past time when Major League Baseball put an end to the 
mixed messages children are receiving about steroid usage. Mandatory 
testing of players for performance enhancing drugs is simple common 
sense. It should not require negotiations between the Owners and the 
Players Association.
  Walt Whitman once said that he saw great things in baseball. This is 
a game that transcends time, inspires hope in the downtrodden and-due 
to the incredible achievements, personalities and graciousness of such 
players as Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Cal Ripken--unites the social 
fabric of our country. Its place in the pantheon of American culture 
should be protected from all who seek to tarnish its image.
  My friends, now is not the time for America's pastime to disappoint 
its fans or set a bad example for our youth. Professional baseball 
players have an opportunity to lift a dark cloud from this most 
cherished game. They can move immediately to a new era of mandatory 
drug testing for performance enhancing drugs. This should not be the 
subject of a great national debate. Rather, players should recognize a 
simple fact: America's children are watching you. You are their role 
models. Children will learn from your actions.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank you for moving this resolution to the floor. I 
commend Mrs. Johnson for focusing on this important issue and allowing 
me to reminisce on the importance of our national pastime. There can be 
nothing more important than setting a good example for the youth of our 
country. This resolution reflects that fact and tries to restore some 
of the pride our nation feels for this timeless sport.

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