[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 128 (Saturday, August 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING CRAIG BIGGIO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2007

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
amazing accomplishments and career of Craig Biggio. Over the past 20 
years Craig Biggio has become as much a part of life in Southeast Texas 
as barbecue and high school football. The legacy he leaves on the field 
is only rivaled by the legacy he leaves off of it. He brings the same 
passion to helping children and the Houston community as he does in 
compiling career numbers that will surely land him in the Professional 
Baseball Hall of Fame someday.
  Craig Biggio and his wife Patti have made a direct impact on lives of 
countless Houston families. By raising millions of dollars and offering 
his thoughtful support and leadership to Sunshine Kids he has proven a 
true role model for the kids in the number seven jerseys at Minute Maid 
Park. Trips to sporting events and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 
have provided a moment of joy to families affected by cancer.
  Craig Biggio would have fit right in with the baseball immortals, 
Williams, DiMaggio and Gehrig. Biggio has been accepted by Houston as 
one of their own by playing the game the way it should be played. He 
always played tough and hard-nosed, but respectful of his teammates and 
opponents. While never one to be driven by statistics, his passion for 
the game has surely led to a spot in Cooperstown.
  Earlier this summer, he joined the fraternity of select players to 
accumulate 3,000 career hits. He has collected four Gold Glove awards, 
been selected to seven All-Star teams and amassed enough career doubles 
to rank in the top 10 all-time. But most importantly to Astro fans are 
the team records he set in games played, runs scored, hits and doubles 
while leading his team to six playoff appearances in 9 years.
  Madam Speaker, I am very proud to join with Astros fans across the 
country, baseball fans everywhere and my colleagues in the U.S. House 
of Representatives to recognize the amazing career and character of 
Craig Biggio. In an era where we just as often see our sports icons in 
the news for the wrong reasons, Texans can be proud to have witnessed 
one of baseball's greatest performers on the field and a tremendous 
example off it. I will cherish being able to share in the joy of 
watching Craig Biggio stretch a couple more singles into doubles over 
the last few months of his career. It has been a pleasure to watch him 
play the game the right way. On behalf of this Nation, I am honored to 
recognize Houston Astro Craig Biggio on his 3,000th hit, a tremendous 
career and being a man of tremendous character.

                          ____________________