[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 79 (Monday, June 2, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H4744-H4749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING SAMMY SOSA OF CHICAGO CUBS FOR HITTING 500 MAJOR LEAGUE
HOME RUNS
Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 195) congratulating Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs
for hitting 500 major league home runs.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 195
Whereas Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs hit a home run in
the seventh inning on Friday, April 3, 2003, against the
Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ball Park;
[[Page H4745]]
Whereas his home run was the 500th of his career, making
Sammy Sosa only the 18th player in major league history to
reach the mark and the first Latino to accomplish this
outstanding feat;
Whereas Sammy Sosa's achievement is one of the most
impressive and difficult to accomplish in baseball history,
placing him in the very select company of the greatest home
run hitters of all time, including Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth,
Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Mel Ott, and Ernie Banks;
Whereas from his first home run off Roger Clemens in 1989
to today, Sammy Sosa has awed us with his ability and
athletic prowess on the field and his dignity and
selflessness off the field;
Whereas Sammy Sosa has showed us how powerful the
combination of discipline and desire can be;
Whereas throughout his record-breaking career Sammy Sosa
has embodied the talent, exuberance, team-spirit, and
determination that Americans associate with the very best
qualities of sports and athletic competition;
Whereas throughout the intense media scrutiny and public
attention that has accompanied his historic career, Sammy
Sosa has consistently conducted himself with modesty and
humility that has been an inspiration to all Americans; and
Whereas as a native of the Dominican Republic, Sammy Sosa
has proven to be an outstanding role model and source of
pride for all residents of his native country, as well as all
Latin Americans and all immigrants to the U.S. from across
the globe: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates
and commends Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs for his amazing
accomplishment and thanks him for tearing down barriers for
Latinos around the world, for being a role model and an
inspiration, and for letting us dream as big as our hearts
will allow.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Souder) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).
General Leave
Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on H. Res. 195.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Indiana?
There was no objection.
Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 195, introduced by the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Gutierrez), celebrates and congratulates Sammy Sosa of the Chicago
Cubs for hitting 500 major league home runs. It is a unique honor to
bring up this legislation to recognize the accomplishments of Sammy
Sosa of the Chicago Cubs, who certainly is one of the greatest ball
players of our generation, and likely of all time.
While the resolution before us this afternoon congratulates him for
hitting his 500th home run earlier this season, I believe it is also
appropriate to recognize his many accomplishments, on and off the
field, as a superlative hitter, goodwill ambassador for his native
Dominican Republic and, most importantly, as the exemplification of the
best qualities the game of baseball holds for every American.
Let me start with Sammy's formidable accomplishments and sustained
excellence on the field. I am told that the record today literally will
not hold a listing of each of his 500 career home runs. He is just the
18th player in the history of baseball to reach this milestone. He is
the only player ever to get 60 or more home runs in three seasons.
Sammy Sosa, Babe Ruth, and Mark McGwire are the only players ever to
have had more than two seasons hitting 50 home runs. Sammy holds or
shares 24 major league records and an additional 10 National League
records.
Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a listing of those records as
well as a summary of his accomplishments and listing by year of each of
his career home runs.
In recent years, there have been other players who have arguably
performed as well in one season, but no one has matched or sustained
the overall level of excellence set by Sammy Sosa. But what is so
extraordinary about these achievements is not their difficulty as an
athletic accomplishment or place in the history of baseball. Sammy
Sosa's success as a ball player and a citizen is a living testament to
the possibilities that America can offer to anyone from any place or
circumstance in the world.
Born in the Dominican Republic, he lost his father at an early age,
and the family struggled. Sammy demonstrated the American values of
perseverance, hard work, and honesty by working as a shoe-shine boy,
washing cars and selling oranges to bring food to his mother and the
rest of his family. The same circumstances led him to baseball.
While he played early in his career for the Texas Rangers and the
Chicago White Sox, he did not truly find his home until the White Sox
traded him to the Cubs for George Bell. Bell played 2 years for the
White Sox and hit 38 home runs before retiring. Since the trade, Sammy
has hit 476 home runs for the Cubs. While we are proud of President
Bush in so many different areas, the President of the United States has
openly acknowledged that he believes one of the biggest mistakes he
ever made was trading Sammy from the Texas Rangers, when he was owner
of that team.
Sammy Sosa became a national figure during the home run race of the
1998 season, which broadcaster Tim McCarver called ``the perfect
season.'' Both Sosa and Mark McGwire assaulted the home run record of
Roger Maris, which at that time had stood for 37 years and was widely
believed to be unbreakable. McCarver astutely noted that not only Sosa
and McGwire had pushed each other toward those accomplishments, but
also that Sosa had understood that the race for the record was about
far more than statistics.
McCarver wrote the following: ``I think it was Sosa who made McGwire
realize they could be ambassadors for the game.'' Sosa said, ``I like
the fact that baseball is touching the fans in their hearts.'' As
America watched, a genuine bond of respect and affection formed between
the white, privileged, former USC student and the black Spanish-
speaking Sosa, who was so poor growing up in the Dominican Republic
that he learned baseball while using rolled up socks for a ball, a milk
carton for a glove, and a tree limb for a bat.
McGwire and Sosa, McCarver continued, would not dignify questions
about their home run race having racial overtones and the notion that
some fans were favoring one over the other, based solely on skin color
or heritage. They became each other's greatest champions. America had
rarely seen such sportsmanship, brotherhood, humility and class wrapped
in a competitive cocoon. McGwire and Sosa transcended sports and
entered the national consciousness.
Mr. Speaker, those are the values and contributions to America that
we honor today in this resolution, which were also honored when Sammy
Sosa stood in the gallery of this Chamber in 1999 to receive bipartisan
praise and applause at the State of the Union address. He said in his
autobiography, ``Here I was, once a humble kid from the Dominican
Republic, and now the lawmakers of the United States were standing and
applauding me in the halls of Congress. It was a great moment.''
In addition to his civic leadership, Sammy is also widely recognized
for his never-ending goodwill and good humor, such as when he sprints
to his position at the beginning of every game at Wrigley Field and
taps his heart for the fans in the right field bleachers.
His is also a symbol for his native country, so much so that former
Ambassador Bernardo Vega was quoted as saying, ``As far as I am
concerned, he is the real Dominican ambassador. I just shuffle
papers.'' But nothing speaks so eloquently to Sammy Sosa's
contributions to both our culture and our sport as what he did during
the Cubs' first game after the September 11 attacks when the Nation
returned to baseball in a very small part of the national healing.
Sammy Sosa hit a home run, and he carried a small American flag around
the bases at Wrigley Field. I strongly encourage my colleagues to
support the resolution.
[[Page H4746]]
SAMMY SOSA PROFESSIONAL STATISTICS AND CAREER TRANSACTIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year--Team Avg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SH SF HP BB SO SB CS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1986--Gulf Coast R.............................. .275 61 229 38 63 \1\ 19 1 4 28 0 2 0 22 51 11 3
1987--Gastonia-A................................ .279 129 519 73 145 27 4 11 59 0 3 5 21 123 22 8
1988--Charlotte, FL-A........................... .229 131 507 70 116 13 \1\ 12 9 51 0 3 4 35 106 42 24
1989--Tulsa-AA.................................. .297 66 273 45 81 15 4 7 31 2 2 3 15 52 16 11
Texas..................................... .238 25 84 8 20 3 0 1 3 4 0 0 0 20 0 2
Oklahoma City-AAA......................... .103 10 39 2 4 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 2 8 4 7
Vancouver-AAA............................. .367 13 49 7 18 3 0 1 5 0 0 0 7 6 3 1
Chicago (AL).............................. .273 33 99 19 27 5 0 3 10 1 2 2 11 27 7 3
1990--Chicago (AL).............................. .233 153 532 72 124 26 10 15 70 2 6 6 33 150 32 16
1991--Vancouver-AAA............................. .267 32 116 19 31 7 2 3 19 0 3 1 17 32 9 3
Chicago (AL).............................. .203 116 316 39 64 10 1 10 33 5 1 2 14 98 13 6
1992--Iowa-AAA \3\.............................. .316 5 19 3 6 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 2 5 0
Cubs...................................... .260 67 262 41 68 7 2 8 25 4 2 4 19 63 15 7
1993--Cubs...................................... .261 159 598 92 156 25 5 33 93 0 1 4 38 135 36 11
1994--Cubs...................................... .300 105 426 59 128 17 6 25 70 1 4 2 25 92 22 13
1995--Cubs...................................... .268 \2\144 564 89 151 17 3 36 119 0 2 5 58 134 34 7
1996--Cubs...................................... .273 124 498 84 136 21 2 40 100 0 4 5 34 134 18 5
1997--Cubs...................................... .251 \2\162 642 90 161 31 4 36 119 0 5 2 45 174 22 12
1998--Cubs...................................... .308 159 643 \1\134 198 20 0 66 \1\158 0 5 1 73 171 18 9
1999--Cubs...................................... .288 \2\162 625 114 180 24 2 63 141 0 6 3 78 171 7 8
2000--Cubs...................................... .320 156 604 106 193 38 1 *50 138 0 8 2 91 168 7 4
2001--Cubs...................................... .328 160 577 \1\146 189 34 5 64 \1\160 0 12 6 116 153 0 2
2002--Cubs...................................... .288 150 556 \1\122 160 19 2 \1\49 108 0 4 3 103 144 2 0
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N.L./Cubs Totals.......................... .287 1,548 5,995 1,077 1,720 253 32 470 1,231 5 53 37 680 1,539 181 78
A.L. Totals............................... .228 327 1,031 138 235 44 11 29 116 12 9 10 58 295 52 27
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Major League Totals....................... .278 1,875 7,026 1,215 1,955 297 43 499 1,347 17 62 47 738 1,834 233 105
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\1\ Led League.
\2\ Tied for League Lead.
\3\ Injury Rehabilitation Assignment.
Last sacrifice bunt: 5/16/94 vs. San Diego. SLG: 2002, .594, M.L. Career, .546. OBP: 2002, .399, M.L. Career, .348.
1985--Signed as non-drafted free agent by Texas (scouts: Omar Minaya and Amado Dinzey). 1989--Traded to Chicago (AL) 7/29 with P Wilson Alvarez and IF Scott Fletcher for OF Harold Baines and
IF Fred Manrique. 1992--Traded to Cubs 3/30 with P Ken Patterson for OF George Bell. 1992--On disabled list 6/13--7/27 . . . fractured right hand . . . included injury rehab assignment to
Iowa (7/21--7/27). 1992--On disabled list 8/7--9/16 . . . fractured left ankle. 1996--On disabled list 8/21--10/2 . . . fractured right hand.
SOSA AND THE RECORD BOOKS--THE 500-HOMER CLUB--PLUS ONE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Hank Aaron.................................................. 755
2. Babe Ruth................................................... 714
3. Willie Mays................................................. 660
4. Barry Bonds (46 in 2002).................................... 613
5. Frank Robinson.............................................. 586
6. Mark McGwire................................................ 583
7. Harmon Killebrew............................................ 573
8. Reggie Jackson.............................................. 563
9. Mike Schmidt................................................ 548
10. Mickey Mantle............................................... 536
11. Jimmie Foxx................................................. 534
12. Willie McCovey.............................................. 521
Ted Williams................................................ 521
14. Ernie Banks................................................. 512
Eddie Matthews.............................................. 512
16. Mel Ott..................................................... 511
17. Eddie Murray................................................ 504
18. SAMMY SOSA (49)............................................. 499
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAJOR LEAGUE RECORDS HELD OR SHARED BY SAMMY SOSA
Most 60-Homer Seasons: 3--1998, 1999, 2001
Most 50-Homer Seasons: 4--1998-2001 (shared with Babe Ruth
1920-1921/1927-1928 and Mark McGwire 1996-1999)
Most Consecutive 50-Homer Seasons: 4--1998-2001 (shared with
Mark McGwire 1996-1999)
Most Homers, Five-Season Span: 292--1998-2002
Most Homers, Six-Season Span: 328--1997-2002
Most Homers, Seven-Season Span: 368--1996-2002
Most Homers, Eight-Season Span: 404--1995-2002
Most Homers, Nine-Season Span: 429--1994-2002
Most Total Bases, Four-Season Span: 1,621--1998-2001
Most 3-Homer Games, Career: 6--(shared with Johnny Mize)
Most Multi-Homer Games, Season: 11--1998 (shared with Hank
Greenberg 1938)
Most 3-Homer Games, Season: 3--2001
Most Ballparks Homered In, Season: 18--1998 (shared with Mike
Piazza 2000)
Most Extra-Base Hits, Right-Handed Batter, Season: 103--2001
(shared with Hank Greenberg 1937 and Albert Belle 1995)
Most Intentional Walks, Right-Handed Batter, Season: 37--2001
Most Homers, Any Month: 20--June 1998
Most Homers, June: 20--1998
Most Homers, October: 5--2001 (shared with Richie Sexson
2001)
Most Homers, 30-Day Span: 21--5/26-6/23/98
Most Homers, 10-Day Span: 9--5/25-6/7/98, 6/13-6/21/98
Grand Slams, Consecutive Games: 7/27-7/28/98 (shared with
many)
Most 3-Run Homers, Game: 3--8/10/02 (shared with Walker
Cooper 7/6/49)
Homers In Three Consecutive Innings--8/10/02 (shared with
four others)
Most Homers, Inning: 2--5/16/96 (shared with many)
NATIONAL LEAGUE RECORDS HELD OR SHARED BY SAMMY SOSA--THE ABOVE PLUS
Most Consecutive 40-Homer Seasons: 5--1998-2002 (shared with
Ralph Kiner 1947-1951 and Duke Snider 1953-1957)
Most Consecutive 100-RBI Seasons: 8--1995-2002 (shared with
Mel Ott 1929-1936 and Willie Mays 1959-1966)
Most 150-Plus RBI Seasons: 2--1998, 2001 (shared with Hack
Wilson 1929-1930)
Most Homers, Three-Season Span: 179--1998-2000
Most Homers, Four-Season Span: 243--1998-2001
Most Homers, 10-Season Span: 462--1993-2002
Most Homers, August: 17--2001 (shared with Willie Mays 1965)
Most Homers, Consecutive Series: 15--1998
Most Homers, Sunday-Saturday Calendar Week: 8--6/14-6/20/98
(shared with three others)
Most RBI, Consecutive Games: 14--8/10-8/11/02
CUBS RECORDS HELD OR SHARED BY SAMMY SOSA--ALL OF THE ABOVE PLUS
Most 30-Homer Seasons: 9--1993, 1995-2002
Most Multiple-Homer Games, Career: 57
Most Homers, Season: 66--1998
Most Extra-Base Hits, Season: 103--2001
Most Total Bases, Season: 425--2001
Highest Slugging Percentage, Season: .737--2001
Most Homers, Wrigley Field, Season: 35--1998
Most Homers, Road, Season: 31--1998
Strikeouts, Career: 1,539
Strikeouts, Season: 174--1997
Consecutive-Game Homer Streak: 5 games--6/3-6/8/98 (shared
with two others)
Homers, Three Consecutive Games: 5--6/19-6/21/98, 8/10-8/12/
02 (shared with two others)
Most Hits, Consecutive At-Bats: 9--6/30-7/2/93
Most Hits, Game: 6--7/2/93 (shared with several)
Most Homers, Game: 3--six times (shared with many)
Most Homers, Inning: 2--5/16/96--7th (shared with Mark
Bellhorn 8/29/02--4th)
Most RBI, Game: 9--8/10/02 (shared with Heinie Zimmerman 6/
11/11)
SOSA'S YEAR-BY-YEAR HOMER BREAKDOWNS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year and team Total Home Road NL AL Solo 2-R 3-R GS 2-HR 3-HR 4-HR 50+ 40-49 30-39 RHP LHP Parks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1989 Texas................... 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
White Sox............... 3 1 2 0 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1
1990 White Sox............... 15 10 5 0 15 9 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 12 5
1991 White Sox............... 10 3 7 0 10 4 3 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 5 1
1992 Cubs.................... 8 4 4 8 0 4 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 3
1993 Cubs.................... 33 23 10 33 0 18 13 2 0 5 0 0 0 0 1 23 10 5
1994 Cubs.................... 25 11 14 25 0 16 6 3 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 16 9 4
1995 Cubs.................... 36 19 17 36 0 15 13 8 0 5 0 0 0 0 1 27 9 2
1996 Cubs.................... 40 26 14 40 0 16 16 8 0 4 1 0 0 1 0 32 8 1
1997 Cubs.................... 36 25 11 36 0 19 13 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 24 12 0
1998 Cubs.................... 66 35 31 66 0 37 19 7 3 10 1 0 1 0 0 54 12 3
1999 Cubs.................... 63 33 30 63 0 36 18 9 0 6 0 0 1 0 0 45 18 0
2000 Cubs.................... 50 22 28 50 0 25 12 12 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 42 8 3
2001 Cubs.................... 64 34 30 64 0 36 21 5 2 7 3 0 1 0 0 51 13 3
2002 Cubs.................... 49 24 25 49 0 26 15 7 1 3 1 0 0 1 0 38 11 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.................. 499 270 229 470 29 264 156 72 7 52 6 0 4 2 3 370 129 37
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[[Page H4747]]
SOSA HOMER-BY-HOMER--1998
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HR# Date Game Opponent Pitcher Inner Type Direction
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 4/4 5 Montreal......... Marc Valdes...... 3 Solo RF
2 4/11 11 @ Montreal....... Anthony Telford.. 7 Solo RF
3 4/15 14 @ New York....... Dennis Cook...... 8 Solo LF
4 4/23 21 San Diego........ Dan Miceli....... 9 Solo CF
5 4/24 22 @ Los Angeles.... Ismael Valdes.... 1 Solo CF
6 4/27 25 @ San Diego...... Joey Hamilton.... 1 2-run CF
7 5/3 30 St. Louis........ Cliff Politte.... 1 Solo LF
8 5/16 42 @ Cincinnati..... Scott Sullivan... 3 3-run CF
9 5/22 47 @ Atlanta........ Greg Maddox...... 1 Solo CF
10 5/25 50 @ Atlanta........ Kevin Millwood... 4 Solo RF
11 5/25 50 @ Atlanta........ Mike Cather...... 8 3-run CF
12 5/27 51 Philadelphia..... Darrin Winston... 8 Solo LF
13 5/27 51 Philadelphia..... Wayne Gomes...... 9 2-run LF
14 6/1 56 Florida.......... Ryan Dempster.... 1 2-run LF
15 6/1 56 Florida.......... Oscar Henriquez.. 8 3-run CF
16 6/3 58 Florida.......... Livan Hernandez.. 5 2-run LF
17 6/5 59 White Sox........ Jim Parque....... 5 2-run RF
18 6/6 60 White Sox........ Carlos Castillo.. 7 Solo CF
19 6/7 61 White Sox........ James Baldwin.... 5 3-run CF
20 6/8 62 @ Minnesota...... LaTroy Hawkins... 3 Solo RF
21 6/13 66 @ Philadelphia... Mark Portugal.... 6 2-run RF
22 6/15 68 Milwaukee........ Carl Eldred...... 1 Solo RF
23 6/15 68 Milwaukee........ Carl Eldred...... 3 Solo LF
24 6/15 68 Milwaukee........ Carl Eldred...... 7 Solo CF
25 6/17 70 Milwaukee........ Bronswell Patrick 4 Solo LF
26 6/19 72 Philadelphia..... Carlton Loewer... 1 Solo LF
27 6/19 72 Philadelphia..... Carlton Loewer... 5 2-run LF
28 6/20 73 Philadelphia..... Matt Beech....... 3 2-run LF
29 6/20 73 Philadelphia..... Toby Borland..... 6 3-run LF
30 6/21 74 Philadelphia..... Tyler Green...... 4 Solo RF
31 6/24 77 @ Detroit........ Seth Greisinger.. 1 Solo LF
32 6/25 78 @ Detroit........ Brian Moehler.... 7 Solo RF
33 6/30 82 Arizona.......... Alan Embree...... 8 Solo LF
34 7/9 88 @ Milwaukee...... Jeff Juden....... 2 2-run CF
35 7/10 89 @ Milwaukee...... Scott Karl....... 2 Solo LF
36 7/17 95 @ Florida........ Kirt Ojala....... 6 2-run CF
37 7/22 100 Montreal......... Miguel Batista... 8 3-run RF
38 7/26 105 New York......... Rick Reed........ 6 2-run CF
39 7/27 106 @ Arizona........ Willie Blair..... 6 2-run RF
40 7/27 106 @ Arizona........ Alan Embree...... 8 Grand Slam CF
41 7/28 107 @ Arizona........ Bob Wolcott...... 5 Grand Slam LF
42 7/31 110 Colorado......... Jamey Wright..... 1 Solo RF
43 8/5 115 Arizona.......... Andy Benes....... 3 2-run LF
44 8/8 117 @ St. Louis...... Rick Croushore... 9 2-run LF
45 8/10 119 @ San Francisco.. Russ Ortiz....... 5 Solo LF
46 8/10 119 @ San Francisco.. Chris Brock...... 7 Solo CF
47 8/16 124 @ Houston........ Sean Bergman..... 4 Solo RF
48 8/19 126 St. Louis........ Kent Bottenfield. 5 2-run LF
49 8/21 128 San Francisco.... Orel Hershiser... 5 2-run CF
50 8/23 130 Houston.......... Jose Lima........ 5 Solo LF
51 8/23 130 Houston.......... Jose Lima........ 8 Solo LF
52 8/26 133 @ Cincinnati..... Brett Tomko...... 3 Solo LF
53 8/28 135 @ Colorado....... John Thomson..... 1 Solo RF
54 8/30 137 @ Colorado....... Darryl Kile...... 1 2-run LF
55 8/31 138 Cincinnati....... Brett Tomko...... 3 2-run LF
\1\ 56 9/2 140 Cincinnati....... Jason Bere....... 6 Solo RF
57 9/4 141 @ Pittsburgh..... Jason Schmidt.... 1 Solo RF
58 9/5 142 @ Pittsburgh..... Sean Lawrence.... 6 Solo RF
59 9/11 148 Milwaukee........ Bill Pulsipher... 5 Solo RF
\2\ 60 9/12 149 Milwaukee........ Valerio De Los 7 3-run LF
Santos.
\3\ 61 9/13 150 Milwaukee........ Bronswell Patrick 5 2-run LF
62 9/13 150 Milwaukee........ Eric Plunk....... 9 Solo LF
63 9/16 153 @ San Diego...... Brian Boehringer. 8 Grand Slam LF
64 9/23 159 @ Milwaukee...... Rafael Roque..... 5 Solo RF
65 9/23 159 @ Milwaukee...... Rod Henderson.... 6 Solo CF
66 9/25 160 @ Houston........ Jose Lima........ 4 Solo LF
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\1\ 56--tied Hack Wilson's 1930 club record (Wilson hit his 56th homer in the Cubs' 153rd game).
\2\ 60--tied Babe Ruth's 1927 total (Ruth hit his 60th homer in the Yankees' 154th game).
\3\ 61--tied Roger Maris' 1961 total (Maris hit his 61st homer in the Yankees' 163rd game).
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Indiana
(Mr. Souder) in consideration of H. Res. 195, a bill congratulating
Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs for hitting 500 major league home runs.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez), the author of this legislation.
Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, the resolution we are considering today,
H. Res. 195, congratulates the Chicago Cubs' Sammy Sosa for reaching a
major milestone in his remarkable and outstanding career.
On Friday, April 4, against the Cincinnati Reds, Sammy Sosa made
baseball history during the top of the seventh inning when he drove a
fastball over the right field fence. As he stepped on home plate, index
fingers pointed at the sky, he also was stepping into some very select
and special company.
With that historic home run, Sammy became the 18th player in major
league history to hit 500 home runs and the first Latino to break the
magical mark. His name will be etched alongside baseball legends Hank
Aaron, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Mel Ott, and Ernie Banks.
Mr. Speaker, sports writer Ralph Wiley wrote that ``The home run
remains the American sporting accomplishment and expression, combining
nearly everything we admire: lightning-quick strike, power and, above
all, great spectacle, a sustained visual effect in one beautiful arc of
life.'' It brings us to our feet, howling and high-fiving total
strangers. We admire and are in awe of the individuals with the power
and precision to hit home runs. And the notion of hitting 500 home runs
remains one of the most impressive and most difficult accomplishments
in sports.
It immediately conjures up images of baseball legends and of history,
and for the select few who achieve this amazing and astounding feat, it
truly exemplifies and embodies their enduring excellence.
With his 500th home run, Sammy will forever be associated with
baseball greats and has permanently secured his place in the record
books, but he is so
[[Page H4748]]
much more than just one remarkable and incredible accomplishment. Time
and time again, Sammy has proven on and off the field to be a source of
pride, joy and jubilation for all the residents of the Dominican
Republic, as well as all Latin Americans and all immigrants to the
United States from around the globe.
His story is so familiar so hopeful for so many immigrants in this
country, men and women who, like Sammy, come to the United States to
work hard, to provide for their families and loved ones, so that they,
too, can live a better and safer life.
And that, in addition to his 500 home runs, is why this resolution is
so important, deserving and justified. Throughout history people have
associated baseball with the strengths of American culture and equated
the game with the best of our country's character and resolve.
At no time was this more evident than after the tragedy of September
11. Across the United States, ball parks hosted moving and emotional
attributes to the fallen heroes of that dreadful and heart-wrenching
day. And perhaps no image was more poignant or more touching than Sammy
Sosa running the bases waving an American flag after hitting a home
run.
Sometimes I believe it takes someone born elsewhere to sum up the
most patriotic and powerful sentiments of our great Nation. No one
loves and respects and admires America, their community or their
profession more than Sammy Sosa.
{time} 1430
Roberto Clemente once said, ``When I put on my uniform, I feel I am
the proudest man on Earth.'' Sammy has approached the game with that
same passion and purpose, with that same excitement and enthusiasm. And
in doing so, he has shown us just how potent the combination of
discipline and dedication and desire can be. I think the comparison
between Sammy and Roberto Clemente is fitting and appropriate. Roberto
Clemente was such a model, such an example and such an inspiration to
so many people; and Sammy instills and encourages that same desire and
dedication, that same commitment to be better, to reach higher, to
succeed despite the odds.
From his first home run off Roger Clemens in 1989 to today, Sammy has
awed us with his ability and athletic prowess on the field and his
dignity and selflessness off the field. He has embodied the team
spirit, talent, exuberance, and determination that we associate with
the very best qualities of sports. He has been able to do so under the
most intense media scrutiny and public attention.
Throughout his record-breaking career, Sammy has consistently
conducted himself with a level of modesty and humility that has been a
source of motivation to people around the world. After his historic
500th home run, the standing ovations and the praise and accolades,
Sammy stated, ``I'm very happy, very blessed. I've been working hard
all my life to be where I am.''
Mr. Speaker, it is all of us that I believe are blessed. We are
blessed to have men and women like Mr. Sosa to inspire our imaginations
and to encourage us to make the most of our ambitions and our
aspirations. From the child finding safety and sanctuary in a game of
stickball in the heart of the inner city, to the dusty little league
field in our most desolate and isolated countryside, countless young
men and women can look at Sammy's accomplishments, at his fervor, and
at his fortitude and say, I too can achieve, I too can dream, and I too
can overcome obstacles. I too can break down barriers on the playing
field, in the classroom, and indeed in life.
So today, Mr. Speaker, it is with great reverence and great respect
that I say thank you, Sammy. Thank you for tearing down barriers for
Latinos around the world. Thank you for being a role model and an
inspiration; and thank you for letting us dream as big as our hearts
will allow. And congratulations on this magnificent and memorable
achievement. We look forward to another 500 home runs.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
As we have just heard, Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs entered the
1998 baseball season as a relatively unknown player. That is, until his
riveting race with Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals for the
Major League single-season home run record. In 1998, Sosa finished
second to McGwire with 66 home runs, five more than the previous
record.
Sammy Sosa was born in the Dominican Republic in 1968. His mother
raised him, his four brothers and two sisters after her husband died.
Sosa recalls, ``We were poor. We definitely were poor.'' Sosa sold
oranges for 10 cents, shined shoes for 25 cents, and worked as a
janitor in a shoe factory to help with the family's finances.
In the spring of 1986, Sosa, who did not know how to speak English,
came to the United States for the first time. Within 3 years, he was
playing in the major leagues, appearing in 25 games for the Rangers in
1989, batting .238. Later that year, Texas traded Sosa to the Chicago
White Sox. In 1992, the White Sox traded Sosa to the Cubs. I do not
know why they did that. The White Sox are in my district and the Cubs
are not; and perhaps had the White Sox not traded Sosa, their fortunes
would have been even greater. But the rest is history in the making. On
April 4, Sosa hit the 500th home run of his career, making him only the
18th player in Major League history to reach the mark and the first
Latino to accomplish this outstanding feat.
He is indeed in the select company of great home run hitters, which
includes Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Mel Ott,
and fellow Cub Ernie Banks. Sammy Sosa is indeed a source of pride for
his native country and is an inspiration to all Americans that with
hard work and commitment, anything is possible. He demonstrates that it
is not always so important where you come from in life, but what is
really important is where you are going. He has gone to the top and is
still climbing.
I join with my colleagues in commending and congratulating him.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I want to again thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez) for
introducing this important legislation. I have to admit it has not been
the easiest bill for me to handle. I have a Heartland statue of
longtime Mr. Cub Ernie Banks in my office; my father was a Cubs fan; my
former boss, House Member and Senator Dan Coats was such a Cubs fan
that on the second day of his honeymoon he went to a Cubs game; and my
subcommittee staff director, Chris Donesa, is not only a Cubs fan and
fanatic, he is a Sammy Sosa fanatic. But I am a White Sox fan like my
colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis); and it is not
without a little heartburn that we are paying such tribute, because if
he were in the White Sox outfield today, we might be national
champions. I hope the Cubs can do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this measure.
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 195, a resolution
to congratulate Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs for hitting 500 major
league home runs.
I am proud to honor Sammy because he embodies the Latino values of
family, hard work, and perseverance, and for being a great role model
for all children, Latino and non-Latino alike.
Sammy has overcome tremendous obstacles to achieve greatness. He was
born the fifth of seven children in a poor family. When his father
died, Sammy was only seven and he had to support his family by selling
orange juice and shining shoes to help his family keep food on the
table.
He learned baseball like most kids in his poverty stricken
neighborhood, fielding with gloves made out of milk cartons, batting
with a tree branch, and hitting a tightly rolled and taped sock. Who
knew that he would grow up to be the baseball star that he his today?
Sammy demonstrates what we can do when we try hard enough. Despite
being sent back to the minors several times, he worked hard to improve
himself. In 1989, he batted .238 an only hit 2 home run in 84 turns at
bat. But just four years later, he showed us that hard work pays off
when he hit 33 homeruns, 93 RBI's and made the All-Star Team.
Today we congratulate Sammy Sosa not only for being a great ball
player or for his great story of personal triumph, but we also give
tribute to him as a humanitarian. In 1998, he worked with Red Cross to
send those suffering from Hurricane Georges 60,000 pounds of rice and
beans and barrels of potable
[[Page H4749]]
water. He helped rebuild countless homes with his financial assistance.
Moved by the suffering in his homeland, he created a charitable
foundation to further the education and health of poor children in his
native land of the Dominican Republic and in his new home, the United
States.
Mr. Speaker, for these reasons I stand in strong support of this
resolution. We must congratulate Sammy for what he is--a model of hard
work and perseverance first, a distinguished humanitarian second and a
stellar baseball player third.
Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res.
195, Commemorating the 500th Major League Home run, by the great Sammy
Sosa of our Chicago Cubs.
With his blast on April 4, 2003 against the Cincinnati Reds at the
Great American Ball Park, Sammy joined one of the most exclusive in
baseball history, becoming only the 18th player to join the 500 home
run club. This club includes such legends as Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, and
Chicago's own Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks.
While proudly representing his beloved native Dominican Republic,
Sammy Sosa has become as much a part of Chicago as the stuffed pizza
and Navy Pier. His pride in his native roots is but one example of the
cultural diversity that makes Chicago the great city it is.
The bat that Sammy used to hit his 500th home run is now on display
at Chicago's Field Museum as part of the National Baseball Hall of
Fame's roving exhibit, Baseball As America exhibit. I urge all
Chicagoans to visit this celebration of how baseball has been woven
into the fabric of our nation's history.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Gutierrez and my other colleagues
for introducing this resolution and bringing it to the floor today. I
applaud the first place Cubs and wish them luck this weekend against
the New York Yankees, in the Yankees first visit to Wrigley Field since
the 1938 World Series. And I wish Sammy luck against Roger Clemens on
Saturday, whom Sammy hit his home run off of in 1989. For these
reasons, I strongly encourage my colleagues to vote for H. Res. 195.
Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) that the
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 195.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. SOUDER. 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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