[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 72 (Thursday, June 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1060]]
 CONGRATULATING ALBERT PUJOLS ON BEING NAMED THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER 
   FOR THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR THE 2005 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SEASON

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2006

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 626 introduced by 
my distinguished colleague from Missouri. This resolution will 
recognize the efforts and achievements of the 2005 National League Most 
Valuable Player, the legendary St. Louis Cardinals infielder, Albert 
Pujols.
  The professional career and life pursuits of Albert Pujols exemplify 
nothing short of perseverance, skill, and integrity. His statistics for 
the first 5 years of his career rank amongst the best in baseball 
history with a .332 career batting average, 201 home runs and 621 
RBI's. Pujols is distinguished as being the only player to have a 
batting average higher than .300--and to have hit over 30 home runs--
and to have driven in over 100 runs in each of his first 5 seasons. He 
was recipient of the 2001 Rookie of the Year Award for the National 
League, 2003 National League batting champion, and the Most Valuable 
Player of the 2004 National League Championship Series. Pujols 
throughout his athletic career has demonstrated the highest level of 
sportsmanship and showmanship--earning him the Most Valuable Player of 
the 2005 National League Championship Series.
  In an exceptional 2005 campaign Pujols established career highs in 
walks and stolen bases. With 41 home runs and 16 stolen bases, he 
became just the second Cardinal to finish with at least 40 home runs 
and 15 stolen bases in a single season, after Rogers Hornsby in 1922. 
Pujols finished second in the National League with a .330 batting 
average--hitting his 200th career homer along with a grand slam. 
Additionally, but not understated, Pujols finished with 117 RBI's, 97 
walks, and a career low 38 doubles caused by nagging injuries.
  Cardinals' fans were given even more ammunition to celebrate in 2005, 
because Albert Pujols' Most Valuable Player recognition marks the first 
time that the Cardinals have had both a Most Valuable Player and Cy 
Young award winner-pitcher, Chris Carpenter in the same year.
  Pujols' characteristics and accomplishments are not limited to his 
accolades on the field. Off the field Pujols and his wife, Deidre, have 
three children: Isabella, A.J. Alberto Jr., and their newest addition 
Sophia. Both Pujols and his wife are generous and active supporters of 
community issues and in 2005 established the Pujols Family Foundation. 
The Foundation is dedicated to the ``love, care and development of 
people with Down Syndrome and also reaches out to impoverished families 
in the Dominican Republic.''
  Recently Pujols became the third fastest player in major league 
history to reach 25 home runs in a season and was on pace to hit a 
record breaking 82 home runs--before an oblique injury--which would 
have surpassed the single-season home run record of 73 home runs held 
by Barry Bonds.
  Albert Pujols has become a role model and an inspiration to his fans, 
and others, through his many outstanding achievements. I congratulate 
him on his 2005 successes both on and off the field, and we all wish 
him a speedy recovery and a quick return from his present injuries. He 
is truly a modem American hero and I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.

                          ____________________