[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF DOMINICAN BASEBALL PLAYERS TO THE ECONOMY 
                       OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to take this time to highlight some 
of the contributions that baseball players of Dominican decent are 
making not only to America's national pastime, but also to communities 
in the Dominican Republic.
  It isn't long into SportsCenter or any other sports highlight show 
before one notices that some of the game's greatest contemporary 
players hail from the DR. Perennial All-Stars like Sammy Sosa, Pedro 
Martinez, Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez, joined now by youngsters 
like Odalis Perez, Albert Pujols, Carlos Delgado, Alfonso Soriano and 
Miguel Tejada, are redefining the game by challenging long-established 
records and moving the bar of excellence higher than many would have 
imagined.
  Baseball has a long established tradition in the DR, showcasing 
Negro-League stars like Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson in winter league 
games at a time when the color-line barred African-Americans from 
playing with white players in America. And these new stars know that 
they follow in the footsteps of major league trailblazers like Felipe 
Alou, Joaquin Andujar, George Bell, Rico Carty, Tony Fernandez, Pedro 
Guerrero, Juan Marichal, and Jose Rijo.
  However, what makes these ballplayers different from athletes of the 
past is that they can afford not only to be positive role models of 
behavior, but also economic role models of philanthropy. According to 
Major League Baseball, the 79 Dominican major league baseball players 
earn a combined salary of $210 million. Like many immigrants, they send 
money directly home to family members. However, they also contribute to 
the local economy by building homes, investing in business ventures and 
making contributions to charities based in their hometowns.
  Their success in the major leagues has also brought in Major League 
Baseball as a partner in the island's economic development. According 
to a recent study, MLB has created 1,200 jobs, with $14.7 million going 
directly to the country through the operation of 30 baseball academies 
that are all looking to find the next diamond in the rough. These are 
academies that not only provide services, but also buy from local 
merchants, which has lead to the creation of as many as 900 new jobs.
  Success in baseball is not based on the play of one player but on the 
efforts of the entire team. These Dominican athletes know that the best 
way that they can truly honor the sacrifices of their family and 
friends is making sure that they give back with both their hearts and 
their wallets. Collectively, they and other Dominicans around the world 
are helping to shatter the myth that some people are forever destined 
to be the recipients of handouts and hand-me-downs. That with an 
investment of faith and money, talent can surface to change a game--and 
the world.

                          ____________________