[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 115 (Wednesday, September 22, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S9520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          ROBERTO CLEMENTE DAY

  Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, today I rise to speak about a topic that 
holds a special place in my life and the communities of Pennsylvania--
baseball. Like our Nation's democracy, baseball is a part of our 
country's collective definition of community, history, and heroism.
  The Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies are recognized by 
fans for their hometown affiliation but more for their heroes. In 
Pennsylvania, we have plenty of players to boast about, but one in 
particular comes to mind, Roberto Clemente. Clemente is Pittsburgh's 
most reversed hero. He was the first Latin-American to be inducted into 
the Hall of Fame and the first player for whom the Hall's required 5-
year waiting period was waived. In honor of the humanitarian work in 
which he was so involved, the Roberto Clemente Foundation now serves 
Pittsburgh's inner-city through programs to instill responsible 
community behavior in disadvantaged youth, and to provide them with 
organized recreation. Clemente's example is an amazing illustration of 
how powerful professional sports heroes can be as role models.
  Roberto Clemente Day was established in 2002 to increase awareness of 
the Roberto Clemente Award and the amount of time and effort its 
recipients dedicate towards community and charitable endeavors. Since 
1971, Major League Baseball has annually presented an award that 
recognizes a player who best exemplifies the game of baseball through 
sportsmanship, community involvement, and positive contributions to his 
team. The award was named in honor of Clemente in 1973. The national 
recipient of the 2004 Roberto Clemente Award will be announced during 
the 2004 World Series. This year, September 22 has been designated as 
2004 Roberto Clemente Day.
  PNC Park in Pittsburgh will be among the many ballparks around the 
country that will hold a ceremony commemorating Roberto Clemente Day. 
As residents of Pittsburgh cross the Roberto Clemente Bridge, which 
spans the Allegheny River, may they remember the example that Roberto 
Clemente set for us all.
  Roberto Clemente Walker was born in Barrio San Anton in Carolina, 
Puerto Rico, August 18, 1934. Roberto always excelled at track and 
field; however, his real love was baseball.
  Clemente joined the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955, where he played his 
entire 18-year Major League Baseball career from 1955 to 1972. Clemente 
is considered one of the finest outfielders to ever play professional 
baseball, amassing over 3,000 hits, 12 Golden Glove Awards, a league 
MVP Award, and leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to World Series victories 
in 1960 and 1971.
  Clemente was also a devoted father. With his wife Vera Cristina, he 
raised three sons: Roberto Jr., Luis Roberto, and Roberto Enrique. 
Proud of his heritage Roberto insisted that Vera give birth to all 
three sons in Puerto Rico.
  I will always remember feeling deeply saddened upon hearing the news, 
on December 31, 1972, that Clemente had died in a tragic plane crash 
off the coast of Puerto Rico. The plane was taking medical, food, and 
clothing supplies to earthquake stricken Nicaragua. Clemente will 
always be remembered as one of the greatest humanitarians of all time.
  Aside from playing baseball myself over the years, the culture of 
identifying with star baseball players and my hometown team is an 
inextricable part of my boyhood. As a young boy playing and watching 
baseball, I learned the value of hard work, the importance of teamwork, 
how to deal with success and failure, how to concentrate and stay 
focused on a goal, and how to look beyond personal achievement to 
something bigger than oneself. Roberto Clemente embodied all of these 
virtues.
  As our Nation recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month during the month of 
September, this is an ideal time to honor this exceptional person and 
personal hero and his legacy that lives on through the recipients of 
the Roberto Clemente Award.

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