[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1121]]


CONGRATULATING SAMMY SOSA OF CHICAGO CUBS FOR HITTING 500 MAJOR LEAGUE 
                               HOME RUNS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 2, 2003

  Mr. RANGEL. 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.
  There is no doubt that Mr. Sosa's exploits on the baseball diamond 
will one day earn him a place in Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame 
in Cooperstown, NY. There is no doubt that his drive and talent make 
him a role model to scores of American children who one day hope to 
stare down a fastball in the batter's box of any ballpark.
  However, it is his spirit, energy and commitment off the field that 
has earned him a place in the hearts of citizens all over the world, 
including those in his native Dominican Republic. Just a couple of 
weeks after he and Mark McGwire shattered baseball's single season 
homerun record in 1998, he traveled to the DR to help rebuild the 
country after it was devastated by Hurricane Gorges. He continues to 
offer his time and money to provide children with the opportunities 
that poverty denied him, allowing them to dream that they too can rise 
above their economic circumstances and reach their potential.
  Those in my district, which includes the proud Dominican community of 
Washington Heights, know that Sammy Sosa isn't the first Dominican to 
achieve success in the Big Leagues. He follows in the footsteps of 
trailblazers like Felipe Alou, Joaquin Andujar, George Bell, Rico 
Carty, Tony Fernandez, Pedro Guerrero, Juan Marichal, and Jose Rijo. 
He, as well as contemporaries like Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez and 
Alex Rodriguez, remind others of how necessary it is to use fame and 
fortune to help others.

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