[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 112 (Monday, September 9, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H6094-H6095]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE VALLEY SPORTS AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM 
  FROM LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE 
                       LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES

  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 516) congratulating the 
Valley Sports American Little League baseball team from Louisville, 
Kentucky, for their outstanding performance in the Little League World 
Series.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 516

       Whereas the Valley Sports American Little League baseball 
     team from Louisville, Kentucky, is the first team from the 
     United States to win the Little League World Series since 
     1998;
       Whereas the Louisville team is the first team from Kentucky 
     to ever reach the title game of the Little League World 
     Series in the 56-year history of the Little League Junior 
     Division championship;
       Whereas the Louisville team has attained a select position 
     as one of only 10 United States teams to win the Little 
     League World Series in the last 35 years;
       Whereas the members of the Louisville team demonstrated 
     perseverance that rivals that of any adult, with a season 
     that started in June and required winning both State and 
     regional championships to reach the World Series;
       Whereas throughout their season, the Louisville team scored 
     106 runs, while allowing their competition to score only 10 
     runs;
       Whereas the Louisville team played expertly against a 
     determined and talented Japanese team for the Little League 
     World Series title;
       Whereas the Louisville team broke multiple Little League 
     World Series records through a single pitcher achieving 44 
     strikeouts and 21 scoreless innings;
       Whereas the 12 players on the Louisville team are a model 
     to the Nation's youth because of their dedication, 
     determination, and sportsmanship;
       Whereas in the legacy of world-renowned Louisville Slugger 
     bats and Hall-of-Fame members Jim Bunning, Happy Chandler, 
     Earl Combs, and Pee Wee Reese, the Louisville team has 
     continued a long tradition of Kentucky contributions to the 
     game of baseball;
       Whereas the Louisville team's performance demonstrates to 
     parents and communities throughout the Nation how athletic 
     participation builds character and leadership in children; 
     and
       Whereas the Louisville team's spirit and camaraderie and 
     the support of the team's family members are a testimony to 
     baseball's ability to bring families together: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the Valley Sports American Little League 
     baseball team from Louisville, Kentucky, for their 
     outstanding performance in winning the 2002 Little League 
     World Series;
       (2) recognizes Troy Osborne, the manager of the Louisville 
     team, assistant coaches Keith Elkins and Dan Roach, and 
     players Aaron Alvey, Justin Elkins, Ethan Henry, Alex 
     Hornback, Wesley Jenkins, Casey Jordan, Shane Logsdon, Blaine 
     Madden, Zachary Osborne, Jacob Remines, Josh Robinson, and 
     Wes Walden for demonstrating excellence and character 
     throughout a summer of little league baseball; and
       (3) commends Little League Baseball for its 63-year 
     tradition of encouraging the development of sportsmanship and 
     confidence in youth through its sponsorship of world-class 
     baseball.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann 
Davis).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks on House Resolution 516.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution extends heartfelt congratulations from 
the House of Representatives to the Valley Sports American Little 
League baseball team from Louisville, Kentucky, for winning the Little 
League World Series.
  On August 25, 2002, the Valley Sports American Little League team won 
the 56th Little League Baseball World Series title by defeating the 
team from Sendai, Japan 1-0.
  Mr. Speaker, the Valley Sports American Little League team is the 
first team from the United States to win the Little League World Series 
since 1998. The following is a description of the team from Louisville, 
Kentucky, as described by Little League Baseball:
  ``They may not have been the most talented team in the tournament. 
They may not have been the biggest or the strongest 11- and 12-year-
olds in Williamsport during the last 9 days; but they had worked the 
hardest, dedicated themselves in ways others could not, and now the 
Valley Sports American Little Leaguers from Louisville, Kentucky, are 
the best in the world.''
  Coaches and players alike have achieved something very few have. This 
is an accomplishment that will be with them for the rest of their 
lives, and it is in the finest tradition of Kentucky baseball.
  Perhaps one of these days one of these young players will follow 
Kentucky's Hall of Famer, Jim Bunning, and serve in the House and the 
U.S. Senate. But I am sure that they will all be a credit to their 
country, to Kentucky, to Louisville, and to their families. They have 
started out well.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that the House recognize the dedicated 
work and outstanding accomplishments of Valley Sports American Little 
League Baseball team from Louisville, Kentucky. The Louisville team's 
performance demonstrates to parents and communities throughout the 
Nation how

[[Page H6095]]

athletic participation builds character and leadership in their 
children.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. Davis of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the Valley Sports American Little League team from 
Louisville, Kentucky, captured their city's and the Nation's attention 
with the 1-0 victory over Sendai, Japan, in the Little League World 
Series title game last month.
  Valley Sports, which won the national championship game against 
Worcester, Massachusetts, became the first U.S. team to win the World 
Series since East Toms River, New Jersey, in 1998.
  When the team held its first practice on June 16, they had not yet 
developed their trademark, which became pitching and defense. This came 
with hard work and determination. During the first few days, the team 
looked nothing like the one that would win the Little League World 
Series. The basemen had difficulty catching; and, of course, nobody 
could make a great throw. But the coaches figured the only way to get 
better was through hard work. The team routinely held 5-hour practices 
on week days and sometimes as much as 8 hours on weekends. Defense was 
constantly being reinforced and it paid off.
  Japanese teams had won two of the previous three World Series titles; 
but the Valley Sports team used their recipe for success, pitching, 
defense and discipline, to win the big game. The coaches, Troy Osborne, 
Keith Elkins, and Dan Roach demanded discipline on and off the field. 
The team was required to answer ``yes, sir'' or ``no, ma'am'' when 
addressing adults. Does that not sound interesting? They were expected 
to conduct themselves properly with no showboating allowed. The team 
got better and better with every game.
  In a little more than 2 months, 12 young boys used their free time to 
dedicate themselves to our national pastime, baseball. Team work, 
commitment, dedication and discipline and a positive attitude 
transformed the Valley Sports Little League team into a national and 
international championship team.
  We always place a premium on winning. But I think that when we have 
great little league programs with the active involvement and 
participation of parents and other adult volunteers, every child, every 
young person perhaps is a winner. And not only is this an opportunity 
to salute the Valley Sports Little League team, but it is also an 
opportunity to salute all of those parents and volunteers and coaches 
and young people throughout America who engage and involve themselves 
in disciplined activity that is designed to develop men, in many 
instances, and women, out of boys and girls.
  I also take this opportunity to salute those Little League teams in 
my own community, Dwayne Truss and Cata Truss who developed the Mandela 
Little League; and of course everybody in my city of Chicago knows 
about the Jackie Robinson West Little League and the Southeast Little 
League and the North Lawndale Little League Baseball teams.
  So it is a great day for Little League activity. It is a great day 
for young people being engaged, involved, disciplined with adult 
supervision. That, Mr. Speaker, is what I think will keep young people 
off the streets, will keep young people from ending up in correctional 
institutions, and will help America continue to grow and become the 
Nation that it really has the potential of being.
  So I join in giving all of the accolades that we can muster to the 
Valley Sports Little League team, who became not only the best in their 
city, the best in their country, but the best internationally. We honor 
them as we honor America.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to join my colleague from Illinois in 
commending all of the little league teams around the country. As a 
former little league team mom, and my husband being a little league 
manager for many many years with our two sons, it is a great pastime. 
It is a great opportunity for our young boys and girls to participate 
in little league. I would like to commend my colleague, the gentlewoman 
from Kentucky (Mrs. Northup), for introducing this legislation to 
commend our little leaguers from Kentucky and to salute all of our 
little leaguers around the United States and the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) that the House suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 516.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas 
and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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