[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 133 (Thursday, September 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING RAFAEL PALMEIRO

                                 ______
                                 

                   HON. CHARLES W. ``CHIP'' PICKERING

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2003

  Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express appreciation to 
my colleagues for passing H. Res. 315 on September 10, 2003. Most will 
recall this legislation as recognizing the outstanding feat of Rafael 
Palmeiro, an alumnus of Mississippi State University (MSU), who hit his 
500th homerun as a major leaguer at Arlington Park, Texas, on May 11, 
2003.
  Also, I want to extend a personal thanks to my good friend 
Representative Pete Sessions for introducing and sponsoring this 
legislation.
  As most of you know, MSU is the flagship university in Mississippi's 
Third Congressional District. Located in Starkville, it is known 
throughout the country for its great baseball tradition under legendary 
Coach Ron Polk, who began his 30th season in 2002 with an 1165-558-1 
career record. He is ranked 8th among active NCAA Division I baseball 
coaches.
  It is with pride in the University, pride in Coach Polk, and pride in 
Rafael, better known to the MSU family as ``Raffy'' that I present 
these remarks to identify, and further amplify, the many achievements 
of this great athlete during his college career.
  In addition to the achievements specified in H. Res. 315, ``Raffy's'' 
college career highlights include:
  Three-year starter in left field for MSU.
  Set MSU & SEC career record for home runs (67), runs batted in (239) 
and total bases (530).
  Led SEC and ranked second nationally with 29 home runs in 1984.
  Led SEC and ranked third nationally with 94 RBI in 1984.
  In 1984 became the SEC's first Triple Crown winner, leading the 
league in batting average (415), home runs (29) and RBI (94).
  Named Baseball America's Freshmen of the Year in 1983.
  Became SEC's first three-time All American in Baseball.
  Helped lead MSU to its highest national finish in baseball (tied for 
3rd in 1985).
  Named to 1983 SEC All-Tournament Team.
  Named to NCAA regional all-tournament teams in 1984 and 1985.
  First round draft pick (22nd overall) of the Chicago Cubs (June 
1985).
  Named All-American in 1983, 1984, and 1985.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt in my mind that one day in the near 
future Rafael Palmeiro will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall 
of Fame at Cooperstown, New York. He is a super star par excellence 
that we all can relate to. He has proved himself as a great athlete, a 
great and caring American, a great role model among Cuban-American, and 
an inspiration to all those seeking the American Dream. Because of his 
love for baseball, his MSU family, and his country, it gives me great 
pleasure to join with the full House in congratulating Rafael Palmeiro 
for hitting his 500th homerun and his outstanding baseball career.

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