[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 86 (Monday, June 21, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H4606-H4607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING RANDY JOHNSON OF THE ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS ON PITCHING A 
                              PERFECT GAME

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 660) congratulating Randy Johnson of 
the Arizona Diamondbacks on pitching a perfect game on May 18, 2004.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 660

       Whereas on May 18, 2004, Randy Johnson of the Arizona 
     Diamondbacks became only the 17th pitcher in Major League 
     Baseball history to throw a perfect game;
       Whereas at age 40 Randy Johnson is the oldest pitcher in 
     Major League Baseball history to throw a perfect game;
       Whereas Randy Johnson is only the 5th pitcher in Major 
     League Baseball history to throw no-hitters in both the 
     American and National Leagues;
       Whereas throughout his 17 years in Major League Baseball, 
     Randy Johnson has won a World Series, been named World Series 
     co-MVP, thrown 2 no-hitters, won Cy Young Awards in both the 
     American and National Leagues, and set multiple strikeout 
     records, trailing only Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, and Steve 
     Carlton on the all-time strikeout leaders list;
       Whereas by pitching a perfect game Randy Johnson joins an 
     elite class of pitchers that spans the ages and includes some 
     of the all-time baseball greats, including John Ward of the 
     Providence Giants, John Richmond of the Worcester Brown 
     Stockings, Cy Young of the Boston Pilgrims, Addie Joss of the 
     Cleveland Indians, Charlie Robertson of the Chicago White 
     Sox, Don Larsen of the New York Yankees, Jim Bunning of the 
     Philadelphia Phillies, Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles 
     Dodgers, Catfish Hunter of the Oakland Athletics, Len Barker 
     of the Cleveland Indians, Mike Witt of the California Angels, 
     Tom Browning of the Cincinnati Reds, Dennis Martinez of the 
     Montreal Expos, Kenny Rogers of the Texas Rangers, David 
     Wells of the New York Yankees, and David Cone of the New York 
     Yankees;
       Whereas during his perfect game Randy Johnson threw only 
     117 pitches, 87 of which were strikes, struck out 13 of the 
     27 hitters he faced, and had his last pitch clocked at 98 
     miles per hour; and
       Whereas Randy Johnson is considered one of the best 
     pitchers in baseball today, and his perfect game only adds to 
     his impressive list of accomplishments and his reputation as 
     one of the dominant pitchers in baseball history: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks 
     on pitching a perfect game on May 18, 2004; and
       (2) recognizes Randy Johnson for a brilliant career.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Mrs. Miller) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  May 18, 2004, will go down in history for all fans of the Arizona 
Diamondbacks and all fans of Major League Baseball because on that 
night, 40-year-old Randy Johnson became the oldest pitcher in major 
league history to throw a perfect game. He retired all 27 Atlanta 
Braves he faced to lead his team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, to a 2-0 
victory. It took him 117 pitches to throw the first perfect game, and 
first no-hitter, in Diamondbacks' history. Johnson became only the 17th 
pitcher in major league history to pitch a perfect game. On this day in 
May, Randy Johnson was, indeed, perfect. He recorded 13 strikeouts, and 
he put out the other 14 Atlanta hitters during his dazzling display of 
pitching dominance.
  Perhaps the neatest thing about Johnson's perfect night was the 
support he enjoyed from the Atlanta fans. As Johnson neared his 
momentous accomplishment toward the end of the game, the 20,000-plus 
fans in Atlanta, keep in mind these are the fans of the opposing team, 
encouraged him with standing ovations and chanted his name. It was a 
terrific night for America's favorite pastime and a terrific night for 
Randy Johnson and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
  Mr. Speaker, the House salutes Randy Johnson for pitching a perfect 
game. The gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Shadegg) is the sponsor of this 
resolution and certainly he should be applauded for his eagerness to 
honor Randy Johnson's historic feat. I certainly encourage all Members, 
even

[[Page H4607]]

those who are Braves fans, to support House Resolution 660.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to congratulate Mr. Randy Johnson on 
his perfect game. Throughout his long career, Mr. Johnson has been a 
fierce opponent with his vicious change-up and scorching fastball. On 
May 18, Mr. Johnson achieved perfection. At the age of 40, and after 
being awarded the Cy Young award in both the American and National 
Leagues, Randy Johnson threw a perfect game. He is the oldest pitcher 
to achieve this athletic triumph.
  With this achievement, Mr. Johnson joins an elite class of pitchers 
that spans the history of America's game and include baseball legends 
Cy Young, Don Larsen, Sandy Koufax, and Catfish Hunter.
  Mr. Johnson has been one of the preeminent pitchers in baseball over 
a career that has spanned 17 years. We congratulate Randy Johnson for 
pitching a perfect game and recognize him for a brilliant pitching 
career.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Shadegg).
  Mr. SHADEGG. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 660 and to 
congratulate and honor Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks, more 
affectionately known to us in Arizona as ``The Big Unit.'' As I think 
everyone knows, on May 18 of this year in an extraordinary feat against 
the Atlanta Braves, Randy Johnson became only the 17th pitcher in the 
history of major league baseball to throw a perfect game. That is 
right. Twenty-seven Atlanta Brave hitters came to the plate, and 27 
Atlanta Brave hitters went down.
  Now, many of us strive for perfection in many aspects of our lives, 
but it is rarely achieved; but not only did Randy Johnson do this on 
May 18, but he was at the time 40 years old, making him the oldest 
pitcher in Major League Baseball to throw a perfect game.
  Now, prior to that, Cy Young, in whose name a famous award is given 
each year, at the age of 37 had been the oldest pitcher to throw a 
perfect game, having done it 100 years ago in 1904.
  Randy Johnson is also only the fifth pitcher in major league history 
to throw no-hitters in both the American and the National Leagues. In 
fact, Johnson's previous no-hitter came in 1990 while pitching for the 
Seattle Mariners.
  Johnson grew up in Livermore, California, where his father, Bud, was 
a police officer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. As a young 
boy, Randy would practice pitching against his garage door, pretending 
to be in the big leagues. Even at 8 years old, Johnson threw the ball 
so hard it would pop nails loose from the wood siding. After he was 
done, his father would proudly come up to him and hand him a hammer and 
tell him to go put the nails back into the wall.
  Standing 6 feet 10 inches and with a 38-inch arm, Johnson is one of 
the most intimidating pitchers in all of the game of baseball; and it 
has earned him, as I indicated, the nickname ``The Big Unit.''
  Randy Johnson's perfect game will certainly fit nicely within his 
already very, very impressive list of accomplishments.
  Throughout his 21 years in Major League Baseball, Randy Johnson has 
won a World Series, beating the New York Yankees in 2001; during his 
tenure, he has been named World Series co-MVP, along with former 
Diamondback pitcher Curt Schilling; thrown no-hitters in both the 
American and National leagues; as I mentioned, won the Cy Young Awards 
in both the American and National Leagues; and set multiple strikeout 
records, trailing only Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, and Steve Carlton on 
the all-time strikeout leaders list.
  By pitching a perfect game, Randy Johnson joins an elite class of 
pitchers that spans the ages and includes some of the all-time baseball 
greatest. In his quest for perfection, Randy Johnson threw only 117 
pitches, 87 of which were strikes. He struck out the first 13 of 27 
hitters he faced, utilizing his blistering fastball and devastating 
slider to perfection, and went to a three-ball count on just one Braves 
hitter.
  To understand just how perfect ``The Big Unit'' was on this night, we 
need only look at the radar gun on his very last pitch. Randy Johnson's 
117th pitch of that night, his final pitch, was clocked at a shocking 
98 miles an hour.
  Randy Johnson is considered one of the best pitchers in Major League 
Baseball today and has set a course that will lead him straight to 
Cooperstown. I am very proud to honor him in this effort.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 660.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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