[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 120 (Thursday, September 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          A TRIBUTE TO GARY CARTER: A NATIONAL BASEBALL GREAT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK FOLEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2003

  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Gary 
Carter on his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On 
Sunday, July 27, 2003 Gary became the 14th catcher to be enshrined into 
the 256-member club.
  Mr. Speaker, Gary brings with his induction a phenomenal record of 
talent and service.
  After being selected in the third round of the 1972 free agent draft 
by the Montreal Expos, Gary made the Major League Baseball (MLB) club 
in 1974. A year later, he was selected as an All-Star and named the 
Sporting News National League Rookie of the Year. From there, ``The 
Kid''--the nickname he acquired because of his ever-present smile and 
youthful passion for the game--led the Expos to their first, and so far 
only, playoff appearance in 1981.
  In 1985, he was traded to the New York Mets. That year, he proved a 
steady hand in leading a young Mets team to a second-place finish. 
However, it was the following year--1986--that proved to be the 
crowning achievement in Gary Carter's illustrious career. That was the 
year the Mets rocketed to the top of the National League East, 
capturing the division title and eventually the World Series 
Championship over the Boston Red Sox.
  Gary remained the Mets' catcher through 1989. After single-seasons 
with the San Francisco Giants and then the Los Angeles Dodgers, he 
returned in 1992 to the team that gave him his first shot in the 
majors--the Expos--where he finished his star-studded, 19-year career.
  After retirement, Gary continued to work in the game as a broadcaster 
for the Florida Marlins and the Montreal Expos. In 2002, he was named a 
minor league catching instructor for the New York Mets.
  What has always impressed me the most about Gary is not only his on-
field accomplishments, but his steadfast commitment to his community in 
Florida. Gary has been a key player in helping to raise more than $6 
million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by hosting golf 
tournaments at various Palm Beach County courses. The Gary Carter 
Foundation based in West Palm Beach has been instrumental in having 
thousands of dollars in computers, software and books donated to Palm 
Beach County schools as well as gifts to local children who make 
strides in the ``Reading Counts'' program.
  For all of his wonderful contributions both to baseball and to our 
community, I want to offer this tribute in the Congressional Record to 
our friend, a community leader and Hall of Famer--Gary Carter.

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