[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 114 (Tuesday, September 13, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S9982]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NEW MEXICO JUNIOR COLLEGE

 Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, on behalf of my fellow New 
Mexicans, I recognize the outstanding achievements of the New Mexico 
Junior College baseball team and applaud their remarkable world series 
victory.
  New Mexico Junior College, an institution with over 3,000 students, 
is located in Hobbs, NM. This southeastern New Mexico town is known for 
its abundant natural resources, agriculture, attractive yearlong 
weather, and small town charm. Hobbs has long been known as the hub of 
New Mexico's oil industry, and home to the world's gliding community. 
Now, Hobbs is the home of the No. 1 junior college baseball team in 
America.
  The Thunderbird baseball team has a distinguished local and national 
reputation for excellence. More than 85 New Mexico Junior College 
players have been drafted by professional teams, and two of those 
recently won Major League Baseball championships with the Florida 
Marlins and Anaheim Angels. However, this is the first national 
championship in the school's storied baseball history.
  The 2005 season added to the list of accolades for the New Mexico 
Junior College Thunderbirds. The team finished the season winning 55 
out of 65 games, and outscored their opponents 44 to 19 during their 
championship run. Head coach Ray Birmingham won his 700th game along 
the way and received the award for NJCAA coach of the year. The team 
finished with the highest batting average in the country. Seven 
Thunderbirds, from a variety of positions, received all-conference 
honors.
  Besides being great athletes, the Thunderbirds continue to show 
remarkable character off the field. Four players earned Academic All-
American honors this season, highlighting the high academic standards 
of the program. I have always believed that the ability to shine on and 
off the playing field is a truly crowing achievement.
  This New Mexico Junior College baseball team demonstrated remarkable 
teamwork and selflessness throughout the season. Players born in New 
Mexico, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Australia, Canada, and across the 
United States came together to realize their dreams this season. For 
that, and for all their accomplishments, I commend each and every 
player and coach of the Thunderbird team here in this Record. May their 
success be only a prelude to future accomplishments, and may they 
continue to represent their school, Hobbs, and the State of New Mexico 
with distinction.

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