[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 12 (Monday, January 22, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRATULATIONS TO TONY GWYNN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 22, 2007

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
one of San Diego's hometown heroes on a very special occasion.
  Tony Gwynn, who played as a San Diego Padre for 20 years, was elected 
to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 9, 2007 for his great 
accomplishments in Major League Baseball. He will be inducted on July 
29, 2007 along with fellow baseball legend Cal Ripken.
  It is a privilege to be joined by my distinguished colleagues from 
San Diego, Representative Bob Filner, Representative Duncan Hunter, 
Representative Brian Bilbray, and Representative Darrell Issa to 
introduce a resolution honoring Tony Gwynn for reaching it to the 
Baseball Hall of Fame.
  With a lifetime batting average of .338, Gwynn is widely considered 
one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. Gwynn has 3,141 career 
hits, with only 17 players beating this benchmark. Gwynn has received 
eight Silver Bats for the eight batting titles he won--tying him for 
the National League record. He has not only proven to be a great hitter 
but a great defensive player, winning five Gold Glove awards. Gwynn has 
been selected to 16 All-Star teams and played in two WorId Series.
  Gwynn is an exemplar of superior sportsmanship and a role model for 
Americans of all ages. In an era when money dominates the game of 
baseball, Tony Gwynn chose to play in San Diego and remained loyal to 
the Padres.
  Gwynn is a well-known philanthropist, supporting the Tony Gwynn and 
Alicia Gwynn Foundation, the Casa de Amparo, the Police Athletic 
League, the New Haven Home, the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, the 
Epilepsy Society of San Diego, and many more organizations.
  In recognition of Gwynn's vast involvement in the community, he was 
named Individual of the Year at the 1998 Equal Opportunity Awards 
Dinner, was the 1995 Branch Rickey Award winner, and was the 1998 
Padres nominee for Major League Baseball's Roberto Clemente Man of the 
Year Award.
  After his amazing career in baseball, Gwynn chose to give back to the 
community by returning to his alma mater to coach the San Diego State 
University Aztecs. After leading the Aztecs to a conference title in 
only his second season as manager, Gwynn was named the Mountain West 
Conference Baseball Coach of the Year in 2004.
  Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to introduce a 
resolution today honoring a great man and superb athlete as he is 
inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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