[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 69 (Friday, May 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MR. ROCCO BALDELLI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 9, 2003

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
native Rhode Islander, Mr. Rocco Baldelli, of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 
and his accomplishments during this past month of April. As a rookie 
this season, Rocco has demonstrated his baseball savvy and athleticism 
while drawing on experience from his outstanding high school career at 
the Bishop Hendricken High School. We hope that this achievement serves 
as an inspiration to Rhode Islanders of all ages.
  The Devil Rays's 6th pick in the first round of the Major League 
Baseball draft, this centerfielder recently, on April 30th, hit his 
first home run in the major leagues against the Minnesota Twins. This 
day also marked a special occasion, as Rocco's fortieth home run set a 
record for the most runs hit by a rookie in the month of April. He now 
has a fantastic batting average of .364 with 40 hits, and 20 runs 
batted in. As the House Resolution from the Rhode Island General 
Assembly I've included notes, Rocco reminds spectators of a young 
Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, or Willie Mays.
  I congratulate Rocco on his spectacular achievements so far this 
season, and look forward to following his continued success.

[H. 6396: State of Rhode Island, in General Assembly, January Session, 
                               A.D. 2003]

 House Resolution Congratulating Native Rhode Islander Rocco Baldelli 
for Setting the Major League Baseball Record for Most Hits by A Rookie 
                         in the Month of April

       Introduced By: Representatives T Brien, Reilly, Menard, 
     Laroche, and Murphy.
       Date Introduced: May 1, 2003.
       Referred To: House read and passed.
       Whereas, Rocco Baldelli was a standout baseball player for 
     Bishop Hendricken High and was the 6th player chosen in the 
     first round of the Major League Baseball draft by Tampa Bay 
     Devil Rays; and
       Whereas, Rocco plays centerfield and his athleticism and 
     baseball savvy reminds folks of a young Mickey Mantle, Joe 
     DiMaggio or Willie Mays; and
       Whereas, On April 30, 2003 Rocco not only hit his first 
     Major League home run against the Minnesota Twins, but his 
     home run also set the Major League Baseball record for most 
     hits by a rookie in the month of April, with 40; and
       Whereas Rocco broke the record of 39 previously held by 
     Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki; and
       Whereas Rocco, thus far in the season, has a spectacular 
     batting average of .364, with 40 hits and 20 runs batted in; 
     now, therefore be it
       Resolved, That this House of Representatives of the State 
     of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby 
     congratulates Rocco Baldelli for setting this new Major 
     League Baseball record and wishes him a spectacular baseball 
     career and future induction into the Major 16 League Baseball 
     Hall of Fame.

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