[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 161 (Thursday, December 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2549-E2550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MR. MEL KING

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2005

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert ``Sonny'' 
Smith who was recently inducted into the Babe Ruth Baseball Hall of 
Fame. Babe Ruth Baseball was started as a ``grass roots'' movement in 
the small, rural communities of Colorado. The town of Las Animas is no 
exception, and like most towns, the Babe Ruth program has flourished 
because of the efforts and actions of volunteers like Sonny who stepped 
up to the plate to serve others.
  Sonny's involvement with Babe Ruth began around 1982. He was the 
District 2 Commissioner for 10 years and then became the Assistant 
State Commissioner for the 15 year-old Babe Ruth program. He has held 
that position from 1992 to the present time.
  Sonny has not just been active in Babe Ruth in his community, but in 
other endeavors as well. He was the Las Animas Ball Association Vice 
President from 1978-1980. He served as a Las Animas City Councilman 
from 1982-1986 and was the chairman for the Parks and Swimming Pool 
committees. Sonny was a member of the Las Animas School Board from 
1996-2000. He has been a member of the Bent County Recreation Committee 
from 1978 to the present time. He served on the St. Mary's Catholic 
Church Council from 1988-1992, and he has served as a football, 
baseball, softball, and basketball official from 1978 to the present 
time.
  One of Sonny's most notable achievements was his work on the Ad Hoc 
Committee for building the new baseball field in Las Animas from 1998-
2004. This field has hosted many area tournaments, as well as the local 
Babe Ruth League games.
  Where does this man get the energy to accomplish these feats? I 
believe it comes from a strong desire to see the young people in his 
community and around the state have an opportunity to participate and 
excel in the great game of baseball.
  Sonny has been a very valuable member of the Colorado Babe Ruth 
League, Inc. management team. His good-natured attitude and

[[Page E2550]]

``laid back'' style have served him well when handling issues that come 
up at the various levels of tournament play. He has even worked on Babe 
Ruth Tournaments for the Midwest Region.
  Because of Sonny's love for kids and his commitment to the Babe Ruth 
program, he has been welcomed into the Colorado Babe Ruth Hall of Fame, 
and I am proud to represent such a fine individual in the U.S. 
Congress. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Robert 
``Sonny'' Smith for his outstanding contributions to his community.

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