[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 111 (Thursday, September 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF TORII KEDAR HUNTER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 4, 2002

  Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, on July 9th, 2002, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
nine of the Nation's top professional baseball players walked onto the 
field at Miller Park as the starting lineup for the American League's 
team at Major League Baseball's 73rd All-Star Game. Among them, in 
centerfield, was Torii Hunter of the Minnesota Twins. The crowd's eyes 
were fixed on him because he is known to be a show stopper, but my eyes 
were fixed upon him because he is from Pine Bluff, AR, in the heart of 
my own district.
  In the first inning with two outs and nobody on base in a scoreless 
game, the crowd was aching for some action. Soon San Francisco's Barry 
Bonds stepped up to the plate. Hunter took a few steps back. With a 3-0 
count, Bonds lashed a fast-ball deep into center field. Hunter raced to 
the back wall, waited, and timed his jump perfectly to catch the ball 
well above the fence. The crowd erupted into applause.
  After the game Hunter said ``I grew up in Arkansas and the All-Star 
Game is one everybody got to watch on TV. I just want to make the 
people of my hometown proud. To make a catch against a Hall of Famer on 
national TV, this is one I'll always remember.''
  Some might have been surprised by Torri Hunter's outstanding 
performance at the All Star game, but his teammates certainly were not. 
Hunter's breakout performance in 2001 was one of the main reasons the 
Minnesota Twins battled for first place until the final weeks of the 
season. A first-round draft pick in 1993, Hunter has been one of the 
better defensive center fielders in baseball for several seasons but he 
became an offensive threat last season, hitting 27 home runs, 32 
doubles, and knocking in 92 runs. His defense in center field didn't 
suffer either; he was awarded his first Gold Glove Award during the 
2001 season.
  Hunter's impressive career got its start in South Arkansas. Hunter is 
a 1993 graduate of Pine Bluff High School where he played baseball, 
basketball, football and track. He was named first team All-State his 
junior and senior seasons and played on the South squad in the 1992 
Junior Olympics. Hunter was selected to the High School National Team 
by USA Today, the All American Team by Baseball America, and was named 
Gatorade's Arkansas Player of the Year in 1993.
  Mr. Hunter is not only an amazing athlete, but an amazing husband, 
father and volunteer. He and his wife, Katrina Hall Hunter, have one 
son, Torii Jr. Hunter also designates his time and effort in support of 
Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Through his 
inspiring career, and his selfless actions, Torii Hunter has indeed 
made the people of his hometown proud.

                          ____________________