[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 133 (Thursday, November 18, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H9987-H9991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 2310
CONGRATULATING BOSTON RED SOX ON WINNING THE 2004 WORLD SERIES
Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the
resolution (H. Res. 854) congratulating the Boston Red Sox on winning
the 2004 World Series, and ask for its immediate consideration in the
House.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from California?
Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, and I will
not object because this is a resolution congratulating the greatest
team in the history of baseball, the Boston Red Sox, who after 86 years
finally relieved all New Englanders, and all wonderful people in
America, of the greatest burden in the history of sports, 86 years of
drought. No more. No more. The Cubs come next.
Mr. Speaker, down three to nothing against one of the greatest teams
in baseball, they staged the greatest comeback in the history of
sports, sweeping four games in a row against a fantastic Yankees team
and one of the
[[Page H9988]]
greatest rivalries in professional sports today, and then sweeping a
four-game series against the Cardinals, another fantastic team, that
many of us thought would win the World Series this year.
Not only did they do that, when they came home, we were fortunate
enough a few years ago to have the Patriots win their championship in
football. We had a million people in downtown Boston celebrating that.
The Red Sox won, and we had well over 3 million people. That is half
the population of the State of Massachusetts. We had people flying in
from all over the country to witness a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I heard that many people went to cemeteries and gave hats and gave
baseball cards to their loved ones who were not here to see this. I
heard that some people brought the ashes of their loved ones to the
parade because there were those of us who just had no understanding of
how to win with our beloved Red Sox.
Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. CAPUANO. Further reserving the right to object, Mr. Speaker, I
yield to the gentleman from California.
Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, what did they bring to the parade?
Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, we will have to get a translator.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution congratulates the men of the Red Sox and
the owners of the Red Sox for their dedication and their commitment to
the sport and to their fans. They have opened up the park, I will
translate that word, too, later on. They have opened up the park to the
public. They have had the players out there talking to the people who
come to the games. They have closed off a piece of public turf so we
can expand the experience of Fenway.
For those fortunate enough to come to the convention this summer in
Boston, I am hoping most Members got to go to Fenway Park, still the
smallest ballpark in the major league, yet always sold out because the
people of New England support their team.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution is a thank you to the best of our
ability to thank the men of the Red Sox and the owners and to the
entire Red Sox nation for 86 years of unflagging support and dedication
to a team that has so often let us down but every year came back and
gave us more to cheer for.
Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. CAPUANO. Further reserving the right to object, I yield to the
gentleman from New Hampshire.
Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from
Massachusetts knows that I am from New Hampshire. There is a friendly
rivalry between our States, as Members know. We have gone back and
forth for years and years on a number of things, but the one thing that
we have always shared in common with other New England States is our
love of the Red Sox.
I, too, like the Members from Massachusetts here tonight, wondered if
I would ever live long enough to see the Red Sox win the World Series
ever. When Dave Roberts stole that base and changed the tide against
Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer ever, and then David Ortiz hit a
home run, and then David Ortiz hit a bloop single the next night, Curt
Schilling the next day pitched that great game, and then Derrek Lowe on
2 days' rest came back, and we won four games and then did it again
against the Cardinals, there was a dream that most of us in New England
thought would never happen.
People wondered where we would be on the night that the Red Sox won.
I do not know where the gentleman from Massachusetts was, but I was
with my sons who are younger, and they had never been through Bill
Buckner and through Carlton Fisk or Jim Lamborg, or even Johnny Peske,
and all of the memories that those of us who have grown up in New
England have known for years and years and years. But, finally, we have
done it.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and may
our States always be friends and always rooting for the Red Sox.
Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. CAPUANO. Further reserving the right to object, I yield to the
gentleman from Massachusetts.
Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
I have an offering for the House this evening with apologies to
Ernest L. Thayer entitled ``The Curse Has Struck Out.''
The outlook wasn't guaranteed for the Red Sox nine this year. Since
1918 the boys had left us crying in our beer. And when they lost twice
in New York and lost again at home, a pall-like silence fell upon the
loyal Red Sox fans.
A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. ``Wait 'til next
year,'' they said. Resignation filled the air. The rest clung to that
hope that springs eternal in the human breast. ``It ain't over 'til its
over'' they muttered half in jest. They thought, ``If only our boys
could put some bat on that ball, we'd put Bambino's curse to rest once
and for all.''
And then Ortiz let fly a homer, to the wonderment of all. And Johnny
Damon, bases loaded, tore the cover off the ball. And when the dust had
lifted on that memorable night, we had come back from three games down,
the Curse was in our sights.
Then from all of Red Sox nation's throats there rose a wild call, it
echoed on the Common, it shook Fanueil Hall. It pounded on the River
Charles, and splashed upon the Bay, the Yankees were all through,
kaput, a World Series we would play.
And they rolled out to St. Louis, jewel of the Midwest. The Cards had
won their league with ease, but now they faced a test. Were they ready
for the Boston boys? The town was dressed in red. The fans could not be
nicer, the team was so well led.
But the Red Sox took the first three games, competing nobly one and
all. They overcame their errors, they answered every call. And as game
four proceeded, and a series win now loomed, all New England shivered
with the thought we might still be doomed.
{time} 2320
What deus ex machina would fall down from the sky?
What Bucky Dent/Bill Buckner ghost might steer things all awry?
Keith Foulke climbed up upon the mound, ball burning in his hand.
The Curse stepped up to face him, to make a final stand.
There was ease in the Curse's manner as he stepped into his place.
There was pride in Bambino's bearing, a smile on the Curse's face.
And when, responding to his fans, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas the Curse at the bat.
A nation's eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt.
60,000 tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then, while Foulke rubbed the ball into his shifty hip,
Defiance flashed in the Curse's eye, a sneer curled on his lip.
And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And the Curse stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the portly batsman the ball unheeded sped--
``I just can't hit that,'' said the Curse. ``Strike one!'' the umpire
said.
From the canyons of Manhattan, there rose a muffled roar.
New York fans were screaming, ``Would the Curse really be no more?''
``Kill him, kill the umpire,'' they shouted in Yankee land.
The Curse looked smug. In 86 years the Curse had never fanned.
With a smile of overconfidence, the Curse's visage shone.
He stilled the rising tumult, he bade the game go on.
He signaled the Red Sox closer, and once more the dun sphere flew,
But the Curse couldn't hit it, and the umpire said, ``Strike two.''
``It's over,'' thought the Cardinals fans, who are brought up so
well.
But the Curse gave a scornful look and an eerie silence fell.
They saw his face frown stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain.
And they really thought the Curse wouldn't let that ball go by again.
The sneer has fled from the Curse's lip, the teeth are clenched in
hate.
He pounds, with cruel violence, his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of the Curse's blow.
Oh, all across this favored land the sun is shining bright.
[[Page H9989]]
The band is playing happily and our hearts are oh so light.
And Red Sox Nation smiles and laughs, and little children shout.
And there is pure joy in Beantown--the Curse has struck out.
Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I
yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).
Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I would
like to also congratulate all of the Red Sox, but I especially would
like to congratulate my longtime friend Johnny Pesky. Johnny Pesky, at
the age of 85, still dresses out every day with the Red Sox. Nobody
loves the Red Sox more than Johnny Pesky, a longtime player, coach,
manager, broadcaster, one of the most popular figures in all of New
England.
I had the privilege as an 11 and 12-year-old boy of serving as his
batboy for the Knoxville Smokies minor league baseball team and got to
know him starting in 1959. He has had me right in the dugout at Fenway
Park. I know that no one is more excited or happy over these great
events of the last few weeks than my friend Johnny Pesky. I would like
to offer a special congratulations to a really fine man and great
American, Johnny Pesky.
Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I am
going to submit this for the Record but I would just like to read the
first two paragraphs of an article that appeared in the Boston Herald:
``When Margaret `Peg' Coyne lost her desire to eat, when she could no
longer rise from her parlor chair, walk to the kitchen and fix herself
a cup of tea, there was still the Red Sox.
``When the grand nieces who kept a vigil by Aunt Peg's hospice bed
were sure the pain, the morphine and the Ativan had eased her into a
tranquil delirium, Johnny Damon would step into the batter's box and
Peg's 93-year-old eyes suddenly opened.''
It is a longer article than that that I will submit for the Record.
But I think those two paragraphs catch the tenor of how the Red Sox
Nation feels. This is something we have waited for a long time and many
people have come and gone. There have been fantastic players that have
been with the team over the years that have given us joy. Johnny Pesky.
The right field foul pole is named after Johnny Pesky because he gave
us so many thrills while he was playing.
[From the Boston Herald, Nov. 1, 2004]
Angel in the Outfield Sends Heavenly Miracle From Above
(By Peter Gelzinis)
When Margaret ``Peg'' Coyne lost her desire to eat, when
she could no longer rise from her parlor chair, walk to the
kitchen and fix herself a coup of tea . . . there was still
the Red Sox.
When the grand nieces who kept a vigil by ``Aunt Peg's''
hospice bed were sure the pain, the morphine and the Ativan
had eased her into a tranquil delirium, Johnny Damon would
step into the batter's box and Peg's 93-year-old eyes
suddenly opened.
``Come on, Johnny! Come on, Johnny!'' she cried out at the
television screen, her voice frail but unbowed.
``We couldn't understand how she knew the inning, let alone
the batter,'' Jeannie Boutin recalled. ``When we asked her,
Peg just said, `Because I pay attention, what do you think,
Besides,' she'd say, `they run the numbers along the top of
the screen.' And, of course, she always wanted to see her
Johnny.''
``Oooh, my sister loved Johnny Damon all right,'' Nora
Coyne said. ``She loved how he managed to get on base. Peg
loved Johnny's heart. But then, of course, she was always
saying, `I wish Johnny would cut his hair and shave that
beard.' ''
Nora betrayed the kind of self-conscious blush one might
expect from a fan of, say, 19 . . . or maybe 29. She happens
to be 89.
Ah, but when you venture this deep into the heart of Red
Sox Nation--to the cozy sanctuary of a South Boston parlor
where two easy chairs sit side-by-side--age is little more
than a state of mind. And baseball is what keeps you forever
young.
The Coyne sisters didn't particularly care for Babe Ruth.
Why?
``Because Peg and I were there at Braves Field, when the
Babe came to play for the Braves at the end of his career,''
Nora explains. ``We used to sit in this box right there
beside the Braves' dugout. We knew all the Braves. Really,
they were our favorites for a long time. We always like the
National League guys, because they were a lot more friendly.
``Oh . . . I'm sorry, back to Babe. Well, you see, all
these little kids came down from the grandstands to get his
autograph, and the Babe . . . well, he just ignored all the
little kids. My sister and I thought that was really awful.
We never forgot it. And, of course, don't get me started on
the Southie girl Babe married. Her name was Nora, too. She
lived on Fourth Street, just above F (Street), I think. And
what did the Babe do but leave her for a New York showgirl.''
In between caring for several generations of family--my
wife and our son among them--and stitching curtains in
factories throughout Southie, Roxbury and Dorchester, Peg and
Nora didn't just watch baseball . . . they lived it.
There are tales of how the ancient Sox pitcher Boo Ferris
charmed Peg and Nora with a ``Hello Girls,'' on his way into
the Harvard Club, or how Ted Williams fired off a string of
``bad words'' when the sisters stepped in front of his
Caddie.
``Dizzy Trout, the Detroit pitcher, was sitting next to him
in the front seat,'' Nora remembered, ``and he just
laughed.''
On the final day of this past August, during a Red Sox
winning streak, Peg Coyne's vantage point on this season
shifted from a blue parlor to a celestial box seat. My son's
theory was that in return for letting go and coming to
heaven, God had surely promised Peg that the Sox would catch
the Yankees down the stretch.
When Johnny Damon finally emerged from his playoff slump in
truly miraculous fashion, Nora's phone rang off the hook.
``It's Peg,'' all the nieces screamed, ``Peg's there in the
outfield with him.''
``When Keith Foulke made the last out,'' Nora said, ``I
leaned over to say something to Peg. But there was only an
empty chair. I wanted her to know what just happened. The Sox
finally won it all. They took the Series. But then, of
course, my sister already knew. She was watching everything
from a much better seat . . . way up there.
And she was smiling.''
Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I yield to the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch).
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I have
the wonderful honor of representing the city of Boston with my
colleague from Massachusetts (Mr. Capuano). This is a special moment
for us. I want to rise here tonight just to remember a couple of great
Red Sox fans from this body, a couple of people who just embodied the
spirit of loyalty to the Red Sox and who I wish were here to share in
this. Those two gentlemen are Silvio Conte who served in this body for
such a long time representing western Mass, and also my predecessor,
Congressman Joe Moakley. Two finer Red Sox fans there never were. I
think Silvio Conte would have the full Red Sox uniform on tonight
making his remarks if he were here.
The hour is late. I do want to before this resolution passes
congratulate the Boston Red Sox and their superb management team, Larry
Lucchino, John Henry, Tom Werner and also Theo Epstein and Terry
Francona for putting together a wonderful team of just extraordinary
gentlemen who not only carried out their athletic roles with excellence
but also did it in a way that young people from Massachusetts and all
through New England and through the country can really look up to. They
really handled themselves with extreme class. The players of the 2004
World Series champion Red Sox, I do not have to name them tonight
because their names as we all know will be forever written in the
hearts of the citizens of Boston and of New England and of Red Sox
Nation. I join with my colleagues in the House in congratulating them
for their wonderful, wonderful accomplishment.
Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts
(Mr. Olver).
Mr. OLVER. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I was not intending to
speak but I am now, because I am not a poet and cannot really compete
with my colleague from Alden, but I am now goaded into speaking out of
respect for my predecessor Silvio O. Conte who has just been referenced
by my esteemed colleague from Boston (Mr. Lynch).
And so, Mr. Speaker, I am adding my congratulations to the Boston Red
Sox for overcoming what many thought was impossible, namely, the
toppling of the New York Yankees and ultimately overcoming the Curse of
the Bambino. While our Nation is often described as polarized and
divided, this Red Sox team managed to bridge these gaps and bring fans
from all corners of the country into the Red Sox Nation. All the 2004
Boston Red Sox team will be remembered for their stars, Curt Schilling,
Manny Ramirez, Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz, the real underlying
message of this team is that the impossible can occur when people come
together with the right attitude.
In their march to the world championship, the Red Sox overcame
obstacles not through individual triumphs but rather through team
effort. Players who had been stars with other
[[Page H9990]]
teams selflessly accepted lesser roles in the interest of the team.
Such players could have easily sulked and pined for personal glory.
Instead, they encouraged those who were participating and did their job
when they were called upon. The triumph of the 2004 Boston Red Sox was
twofold, physical and mental. While the Red Sox players, coaches and
management would tell you they did not believe in curses, the fans and
the media were convinced that there were forces at work far greater
than those who give the curveball its break or cause a knuckleball to
dance. Still, despite 86 years of expectations, capped by
disappointments, this self-labored ``bunch of idiots'' managed to
overcome preordained demise and ultimate collapse and they did it all
with a goofy smile on their face, goofy styles in their hair and a love
for the game that is a breath of fresh air in professional sports.
The 2004 World Series run will always hold a special place in the
heart of Red Sox fans in the New England region as a whole.
{time} 2330
Gone is the label of lovable loser and all the ``what if''
speculation in the papers and on the airwaves. For the first time in 86
years, the Red Sox Nation can breathe a deep sigh of relief this off-
season and enjoy the fruits of the hometown team's labor. Gone are the
columns speculating on the cause of their most recent demise, and in
their place are columns about long-suffering fans able to rest knowing
that they have seen in their lifetime what others in the past were not
so lucky to see.
Mr. Speaker, 2004 will be a year remembered for many reasons; and
while some of those reasons may fade with the passing of time, I am
sure that the citizens of the Red Sox Nation will keep a not-so-silent
vigil to ensure that 2004 is remembered as the year an impossible dream
became a reality, the hopes of the faithful and long suffering were met
in full, and the season that was always going to be next year was
finally this year.
Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I
yield to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin).
Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to privately say we finally did it. The
Boston Red Sox have won the World Series for the first time in 86
years. Not only did they win, but they made history in the process.
Congratulations to the gentlemen. They have done what so many thought
was impossible.
As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I can honestly say that this is a dream
come true. Like millions of other fans, I had such high hopes year
after year only to see the World Series slip through our fingers. We
have had so many opportunities during our long drought, but something
was always missing. Time and time again when victory seemed to be
within our grasp, fate intervened and the season would end once again
with us muttering the line ``there is always next year.'' Next year was
finally this year.
Self-confidence is the hallmark of this team embodied by Curt
Schilling and is now classic mantra of ``why not us?'' History is in
the past, and we must live and play for today, and that is what the
2004 Red Sox have taught all of us.
We also learned that over the course of this season that redemption
cannot come easy. The Red Sox were three outs away from packing their
bags for the winter, as they have so many times in the past. But
perhaps the first time, these men knew they could not allow their arch
rivals to celebrate at Fenway Park. More than that, Terry Francona knew
that the Sox were not done and masterfully managed his team with four
straight victories with the help of David Ortiz's amazing performances.
Red Sox fans know that the game is never over until the last out, but
we have got to believe. We have all finally seen a dream come true. And
it said that Red Sox, the Red Sox play 162 home games, the support of
their amazing fans follows them everywhere and is a key factor that
propelled the team to victory.
Finally, I am happy to be able to say this in my lifetime, that we
did it and I look forward to the 2005 season when the Red Sox defend
their World Series title.
Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, just
yesterday the gentleman who runs the Democratic cloak room was brought
to the hospital for a little problem, and I understand that as he was
heading towards the hospital clutching his chest, he was heard to say,
``It's okay, I've seen the Red Sox win. It's okay.'' He will be back
soon.
But I will tell my colleagues that though many of the Sunday morning
pundits are now thinking that some of us in Boston are scratching our
heads wondering what happened on some issues this year, the truth is we
are all looking at each other wondering how do we enter next year's
baseball season now that we have won. We know what to do when we lose:
do not worry, next year is it, we are going to make this trade. We have
not got a clue how to deal with a win. So all of us at home are really
kind of standing wondering now what do we do. We will figure it out,
and we will stumble through. And the only thing I will say for the rest
of the night is in 86 years, I will be back again to do this one more
time.
Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 854,
congratulating the Boston Red Sox on winning the World Series.
The 2004 Boston Red Sox were no ordinary champion. I would urge my
colleagues to remember the scene at Fenway Park as midnight neared on
October 17, 2004.
The Sox had dropped the first three games of the American League
Championship Series--a deficit that no team had ever surmounted. The
night before, they were drubbed 19-8 before the hometown fans.
The Boston bats were silent. Their arms were spent. Their gloves were
shaky. Their ace pitcher's foot was stapled to the rest of his leg.
Now trailing 4-3 in Game Four, they came to bat in the bottom of the
ninth just three outs away from another close call, another heartbreak
for another generation of Sox fans.
In the other dugout was a Yankees team that dashed our hopes last
year and won 101 games this year--a team packed with talent and
carrying a monster payroll of $184 million.
On the mound was Mariano Rivera, the best and most reliable closer in
the history of the game.
Hovering over all of New England was the ghost of Babe Ruth.
Only a ``band of idiots'' could have believed that they could come
back. And only the 2004 Boston Red Sox could have actually pulled it
off.
But the slugger Kevin Millar patiently worked out a walk. The speedy
pinch-runner Dave Roberts stole second, leaving third baseman Bill
Mueller with the chance to tie it. He promptly did, smacking a single
through Rivera's legs, and he--and all of the Red Sox Nation--watched
Roberts speed home.
The game was tied. The Sox were alive. The Bambino rolled over in his
grave. The Yankees' historic choke had begun.
David Ortiz ended the game with a twelfth-inning homer, and less than
24 hours later, the heroic ``Big Papi'' won Game Five with a
fourteenth-inning single.
Game Six was won by the clutch Mark Bellhorn, the mythical Curt
Schilling and the medical miracle workers who put his ankle back
together.
In Game Seven, the Yankees succumbed to the biblical slugging of
Johnny Damon and the untouchable sinkerballs of Derek Lowe.
The Series wasn't even close. The Cardinals had a great season, but
they picked the wrong year to win the National League. 2004 belonged to
Red Sox Nation. After the bitter endings of 1948, 1978, 1986 and 2003,
we deserved it.
All of New England breathed a collective sigh of relief as the always
dependable closer Keith Foulke grabbed the final ground ball of Game
Four and tossed it to Gold Glove first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz for
the final out.
For the first time in 86 years, the Red Sox are the World Champions
of baseball--truly World champions, with a roster assembled from the
Dominican Republic, South Korea, Colombia, Red-State and Blue-State
America. Congratulations to the brilliant general manager Theo Epstein.
Congratulations to our field general, Terry Francona, and his
lieutenants on the coaching staff.
Congratulations to the top brass--John Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry
Lucchino.
Congratulations to World Series MVP Manny Ramirez. Congratulations to
the dean of the Red Sox, Tim Wakefield. Congratulations to the bullpen
saviors Mike Timlin and Alan Embree. Congratulations to the steady
veterans Jason Varitek, Trot Nixon, and Doug Mirabelli. Congratulations
to recent arrivals Bronson Arroyo, Orlando Cabrera, Gabe Kapler, and
Pokey Reese.
Congratulations to the unparalleled Pedro Martinez--Pedro, please
don't go!
[[Page H9991]]
Congratulations to the entire Red Sox team, who will be remembered
forever as the conquering heroes who Reversed the Curse and brought a
baseball championship to New England for the first time since the
Wilson Administration. (Woodrow Wilson, not Mookie.)
Congratulations also to all the great Red Sox players of the past,
including Johnny Pesky, Dom Dimaggio, Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Rice, and
Luis Tiant--this victory was as much for them as anyone., The same can
be said of Ted Williams and all the other Sox greats who have passed
on, but who no doubt watched from the heavens above, smiling.
And most importantly, congratulations to baseball's most loyal and
passionate fans: Red Sox Nation.
Mr. Speaker, on April 11, 2005, the Red Sox will raise the 2004 World
Championship banner at Fenway Park alongside its counterpart from 1918.
In the visiting dugout, watching the Sox try on their rings, will be a
team that has suffered without a championship since the year 2000--the
New York Yankees.
Don't worry, Yankees fans, there's always next year.
Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Franks of Arizona). Is there objection
to the request of the gentleman from Massachusetts?
There was no objection.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 854
Whereas on October 27, 2004, the Boston Red Sox won their
first World Series title in 86 years in a four-game sweep of
the St. Louis Cardinals;
Whereas the Red Sox won their sixth world title in the 104-
year history of the storied franchise;
Whereas the 2004 Red Sox World Champion team epitomized
sportmanship, selfless play, team spirit, determination, and
heart in the course of winning 98 games in the regular season
and clinching the American League Wild Card payoff berth;
Whereas the 2004 Red Sox World Champion team honored the
careers of all former Red Sox legends, including Joe Cronin,
Bobby Doerr, Carlton Fisk, Jimmie Foxx, Carl Yastrzemski, Cy
Young, Johnny Pesky, Dom DiMaggio, Jim Rice, and Ted
Williams;
Whereas the 2004 postseason produced new Red Sox legends,
including Derek Lowe, Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling, Tim
Wakefield, Jason Varitek, Keith Foulke, Manny Ramirez, David
Ortiz, Johnny Damon, Trot Nixon, Orlando Cabrera, Kevin
Millar, Mike Timlin, Alan Embree, Mark Bellhorn, Bill
Mueller, and Dave Roberts;
Whereas Red Sox Manager Terry Francona brought fresh
leadership to the clubhouse this year, and brought together a
self-proclaimed ``band of idiots'' and made them into one of
the greatest Red Sox teams of all time;
Whereas Red Sox owners John Henry and Tom Werner and Red
Sox President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Lucchino
never wavered from their goal of bringing a World Series
Championship to Boston;
Whereas Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein assembled a
team with strong pitching, a crushing offense, and most
important, the heart and soul of a champion;
Whereas the Red Sox never trailed in any of the 36 innings
of the World Series;
Whereas the Red Sox set a new major league record by
winning eight consecutive games in the postseason;
Whereas Derrek Lowe, Pedro Martinez, and Curt Schilling
delivered gutsy pitching performances in the postseason
worthy of their status as some of the best pitchers in Red
Sox history;
Whereas the Red Sox starting pitching in Games 2, 3, and 4
of the World Series had a combined earned run average of
0.00;
Whereas Manny Ramirez won the 2004 World Series Most
Valuable Player award in the World Series after batting 0.350
in the postseason with two home runs and 11 runs batted in;
Whereas the Red Sox staged the greatest comeback in
baseball history in the American League Championship Series
against their rivals, the New York Yankees, by winning four
consecutive games after losing the first three games of the
series;
Whereas the Red Sox prevailed in four consecutive American
League Championship Series games, while producing some of the
most memorable moments in sports history, including Dave
Roberts stealing second base in the bottom of the ninth
inning of Game 4, David Ortiz securing a walk-off home run in
the 12th inning of Game 4, David Ortiz singling in the
winning run in the bottom of the 14th inning in Game 5, and
Johnny Damon making a grand slam in Game 7;
Whereas the entire Red Sox organization has a strong
commitment to charitable causes in New England, demonstrated
by the team's 51-year support of the Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute's Jimmy Fund in the fight against childhood
cancers;
Whereas fans of the Red Sox do not live only in Boston or
New England, but all across the country and the world, and a
grateful ``Red Sox Nation'' thanks the team for bringing a
World Championship home to Boston;
Whereas the 2004 Boston Red Sox and their loyal fans
believed; and
Whereas this IS next year: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates--
(A) the Boston Red Sox for winning the 2004 Major League
Baseball World Series and for their incredible performance
during the 2004 Major League Baseball season; and
(B) the eight Major League Baseball teams that played in
the postseason;
(2) recognizes the achievements of the Boston Red Sox
players, manager, coaches, and support staff whose hard work,
dedication, and spirit made this all possible;
(3) commends--
(A) the St. Louis Cardinals for a valiant performance
during the 2004 season and the World Series;
(B) the fans and management of the St. Louis Cardinals for
allowing the Red Sox fans from Boston and around the Nation
to celebrate their first title in 86 years at their home
field; and
(4) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to
transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
(A) the 2004 Boston Red Sox team;
(B) Red Sox Manager Terry Francona;
(C) Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein;
(D) Red Sox President and Chief Executive Officer Larry
Lucchino;
(E) Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry; and
(F) Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner.
The resolution was agreed to.
Amendment to the Preamble Offered by Mr. Ose
Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment to the preamble.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment to the preamble offered by Mr. Ose:
On page 1 line 10 strike the word ``payoff'' and insert the
ward ``playoff''.
Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I do want to speak to the amendment, if I
might, because I know the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Capuano)
comes from district eight in Massachusetts, and clearly there has been
an error in the third paragraph of the resolution. We are going to call
this E-8 in the gentleman from Massachusetts' (Mr. Capuano) memory
because I do not believe he meant to put the word ``payoff'' in there,
and we are attempting to correct this. And I just want to assure folks
of the district that the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Capuano)
represents that it was an error made in good faith and that it was an
error much like many errors in the past like Mr. Buckner has made, and
I hope to never see such an error again in the next 86 years.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the amendment to the
preamble.
The amendment to the preamble was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________