[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 25 (Tuesday, March 2, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H714-H715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE LIFE AND CAREER OF THE LATE WILLIE SHOEMAKER

  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 439) honoring the life and career of Willie 
Shoemaker and expressing the condolences of the House of 
Representatives to his family and friends on his death.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 439

       Whereas Willie Shoemaker was born Billie Lee Shoemaker on 
     August 19, 1931, in Fabens, Texas;
       Whereas Willie Shoemaker, nicknamed the ``Shoe'', is 
     arguably the most successful jockey in the history of horse 
     racing;
       Whereas Willie Shoemaker won his first race at the age of 
     18 and had compiled 8,833 victories by the time he retired in 
     1990;
       Whereas in 1970, Willie Shoemaker became the all-time 
     leader in career wins by surpassing John Longden's total of 
     6,033 wins;
       Whereas on March 3, 1985, while riding Lord at War at the 
     Santa Anita Handicap, Willie Shoemaker became the first 
     jockey to total $100,000,000 in purse winnings;
       Whereas Willie Shoemaker held the record for career wins 
     for 29 years;
       Whereas Willie Shoemaker won four Kentucky Derbies, five 
     Belmont Stakes, and three Preakness Stakes;
       Whereas Willie Shoemaker was the oldest jockey to ride a 
     winner in the Kentucky Derby and the Breeder's Cup;
       Whereas at Santa Anita in 1990, Willie Shoemaker ran the 
     final race of his storied 41-year career;
       Whereas Willie Shoemaker is a member of thoroughbred 
     racing's Hall of Fame and the Texas Horse Racing Hall of 
     Fame;
       Whereas on April 8, 1991, just over a year after his 
     retirement, Willie Shoemaker was involved in a car accident 
     that left him paralyzed from the neck down;
       Whereas Willie Shoemaker was an honorary Chairman of the 
     Board of Directors of the Paralysis Project of America, whose 
     mission is to accelerate progress toward finding a cure for 
     paralysis caused by spinal cord injury; and
       Whereas on October 13, 2003, America was saddened by the 
     death of Willie Shoemaker at the age of 72: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors the life and legendary career in horse racing of 
     Willie Shoemaker; and
       (2) expresses condolences on the passing of Willie 
     Shoemaker to his family and friends.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).


                             General Leave

  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration, H. Res. 439.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  On behalf of the Committee on Government Reform, and particularly on 
behalf of the sponsor, our colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Reyes), I rise in support of House Resolution 439, which honors the 
life and career of one of horse racing's most legendary figures, Willie 
Shoemaker.
  Willie Shoemaker ranks second all-time among jockeys in career wins, 
with 8,833. During his unbelievable 42-year career, Shoemaker won each 
of horse racing's Triple Crown events multiple times. He won the 
Preakness twice, he won the Kentucky Derby four times, and prevailed at 
the Belmont Stakes five times. Remarkably, at age 54, while riding the 
horse Ferdinand, he became the oldest jockey ever to win the Kentucky 
Derby in 1986.
  After entering his first professional race at age 17 in 1949, 
Shoemaker made his last mount, number 40,352 of his incredible career, 
in 1990. The following year, he was involved in a tragic auto accident 
that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Despite being confined to a 
wheelchair, Shoemaker remained focused on his desire to return to horse 
racing in any possible capacity. Indeed, he returned to the sport he 
loved as a trainer in a supervisory role on September 29, 1991, less 
than 6 months after his accident.
  Madam Speaker, perhaps horse racing's greatest and most renowned 
jockey ever passed away in his sleep last October 12 at the age of 72 
at his home in Santa Anita, California. I commend the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Reyes) for working to honor Willie Shoemaker with this 
timely and deserved resolution, and I urge all Members to support House 
Resolution 439.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, ``Pound for pound, he's got to be the greatest living 
athlete'' in racing, writer Red Smith once wrote of Willie Shoemaker. 
This resolution honors Willie Shoemaker, who was one of the most 
successful and respected jockeys ever to mount a thoroughbred.

[[Page H715]]

  Willie Shoemaker was born in 1931 in Fabens, Texas. He later moved to 
southern California, where he cleaned stables and began riding 
thoroughbreds. Once ``Shoe,'' as he was called, began racing, he 
quickly learned how to win. In his career, Willie Shoemaker won 8,833 
races, a record that stood for 29 years.
  One of Willie Shoemaker's most memorable rides was in the 1986 
Kentucky Derby. He guided Ferdinand through the pack of Derby 
competitors to victoriously cross the finish line 2\1/2\ lengths ahead. 
At age 54, he became the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby.
  Willie Shoemaker made an impression on our Nation not just as an 
athlete but as a person. In 1957, Shoemaker was poised to win the 
Kentucky Derby when he misjudged a finish line and eased up too soon, 
losing the race. He turned his mistake into something positive by 
honoring Ralph Lowe, the owner of the horse Shoemaker was riding, who 
handled Shoemaker's loss with grace. Shoemaker endowed the Ralph Lowe 
Trophy to be presented annually to a distinguished racing competitor 
for good sportsmanship.
  After he was severely injured in a car accident, Shoemaker used his 
talents in other ways. He served as honorary chairman of the Paralysis 
Project and served as director of the Shoemaker Foundation, which 
provides support to those injured in horse racing.
  This resolution honors Willie Shoemaker and expresses condolences to 
his family and friends. Though his loss is certainly felt by many, the 
memory and legend of Willie Shoemaker and his perseverance will endure. 
People will certainly remember him as a great jockey, but also remember 
him as a great humanitarian. He used his ability, his presence not only 
to win races but to help us all understand that when you give of 
yourself that is when you are really at your best. Willie Shoemaker was 
the best.
  Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
to urge support for this resolution.
  Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues in honoring 
the life and career of Willie Shoemaker, arguably the most successful 
jockey in the history of horse racing.
  Willie Shoemaker, also known as the ``Shoe'', had a storied career, 
beginning at age 18, and continuing on for 41 amazing years. In that 
time he compiled 8,833 victories, including four Kentucky Derbies, five 
Belmont Stakes, and three Preakness Stakes.
  It was in my district, at Arcadia's Santa Anita park, that Willie 
Shoemaker was truly at home, and where he so often made history. There, 
on March 3, 1985, while riding Lord at War at the Santa Antia Handicap, 
he became the first jockey to total $100,000,000 in purse winning. On 
February 3, 1990, Santa Anita hosted the final race of his long career, 
after which Shoemaker went on to become a trainer.
  Tragically, Shoemaker was critically injured in an auto accident just 
over 1 year after his retirement. But though paralyzed from the neck 
down and confined to a wheelchair, he refused to give up his love for 
horses. Just 6 months after his accident, Willie was back at Santa 
Anita, where he supervised training activities.
  When Willie Shoemaker passed away at his San Marino home on October 
13, 2003, at the age of 72, the world lost a true sporting legend and 
an exemplary human being. I therefore urge my colleagues to join with 
me in remembering and honoring his life and legendary career.
  Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, on October 13, 2003, America was saddened 
by the death of Willie Shoemaker at the age of 72. Born in Fabens, TX, 
which I represent, Shoemaker has truly been an inspiration to his 
family and his community alike.
  Arguably the most successful jockey in the history of horse racing, 
``Shoe,'' lead the life of champions. Competing for the first time at 
the age of 18, Shoemaker retired in 1990 with an impressive 8,833 
victories. Accomplishments such as winning four Kentucky Derbies, five 
Belmont Stakes, and three Preakness Stakes established Shoemaker among 
the elite; Willie Shoemaker is a member of thoroughbred racing's Hall 
of Fame and the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
  On April 8, 1991, just over a year after his retirement, Willie 
Shoemaker was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed from 
the neck down. Paralyzation did not diminish Shoemaker's character or 
spirit. As an honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors of the 
Paralysis Project of America, the progress toward finding a cure for 
paralysis, by spinal cord injury, was greatly accelerated.
  I would like to thank the lead cosponsor of this resolution, Mr. 
Dreier of California, for his work on this resolution, as well as the 
Chairman and Ranking Member for helping bring this resolution to the 
floor.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor such an outstanding individual 
from my community. I encourage my colleagues to support this 
resolution. Our strongest condolences goes out to his family and 
friends as we honor the life and legendary career in horse racing of 
Willie Shoemaker.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 439.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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