[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 130 (Wednesday, September 5, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11125-S11126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING THE WARNER ROBINS AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM OF WARNER
ROBINS, GEORGIA, FOR WINNING THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME OF THE LITTLE LEAGUE
WORLD SERIES
Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 308, which was submitted
earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 308) congratulating the Warner Robins
American Little League team of Warner Robins, Georgia, for
winning the championship game of the Little League World
Series.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I rise to encourage my colleagues to
join Senator Isakson and myself in support of a resolution
congratulating the 2007 Little League World Series champions, the
Warner Robins American Little League team of Warner Robins, GA. Warner
Robins and Houston County, where Warner Robins is located, have a very
proud athletic tradition. Warner Robins High School and Houston County
High School have been in the same region as my home high school over
the last several years and I have seen my high school win and lose
against teams coming out of Houston County. The tradition in Houston
County goes way back.
There is also a town in Houston County called Perry, and Perry, GA is
the home of a former all-State basketball player by the name of Sam
Nunn who served in this great institution for a period of 24 years.
Success in Houston County and Warner Robins from an athletic
standpoint is nothing new. But on August 26, 2007, the Warner Robins
American Little League team defeated the Tokyo Kitasuna Little League
team of Tokyo, Japan by a score of 3-2 after Dalton Carriker hit a solo
walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. This victory
concluded their impressive season with a record of 20 wins and only 1
loss. Considering the fact that more than 7,000 Little League All-Star
teams took the field in July, this accomplishment is extremely
impressive.
Their talent, hard work, and sportsmanship allowed them to become the
third team from the State of Georgia to win the Little League World
Series and, in doing so, they captured the hearts of people all across
Georgia and in many parts of the Nation who love the game of baseball.
As a former Little League coach myself, during the years when my
wife, Julianne, and I were raising our children in Moultrie, GA, I was
proud to
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participate in the longstanding tradition of Little League baseball as
a coach for my son's team, the Destiny Dawgs. I have seen firsthand the
uncontested confidence, determination, and hard work that Little League
baseball instills in our youth.
I wish to recognize the 12 young men of the Warner Robins American
team individually for their great accomplishment: Keaton Allen, Dalton
Carriker, Zane Conlon, Hunter Jackson, Taylor Lay, Nick Martens, Payton
Purvis, Kendall Scott, Hunt Smith, David Umphreyville, Micah Wells, and
Clint Wynn. Their manager Mickey Lay and coaches Mike Conlon, Tommy
Morris, and Mike Smith each deserve strong recognition for guiding
these young men to victory.
Moreover, I would be remiss if I did not recognize the teachers and
students of these young men's schools, the fans who represented their
community, and the State of Georgia, for their enthusiasm and their
support for this team's efforts. It is with great pride that I extend
my heartfelt congratulations to the Warner Robins American Little
League team and their families. I am extremely proud of each of them
and their accomplishments. I wish them great success in the future and
urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Georgia.
Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I thank Senator Chambliss for this
opportunity. I am pleased to join him in paying tribute to the Warner
Robins Little League. I associate myself with all his remarks.
Dalton Carriker's walk-off home run in extra innings was a thrill.
Kendall Scott's great relief pitching was a thrill. But what was the
most thrilling thing of all, because I got home in time to watch the
end of that game, were the actions of those kids in response to the
despair of the Japanese kids. In fact, I want to quote from a news
article. A reporter interviewed Kendall Scott, the winning pitcher,
after the end of the game when he gazed across the field and saw the
Japanese players all on their knees in tears, disappointed in their
loss. Kendall Scott said the following:
They don't disrespect, they're very disciplined and they're
some of the nicest kids you'll ever meet in your entire life.
Just seeing them fall down and cry, you just couldn't let
them do that--you gotta pick them up.
Having had two boys who went through Little League, having worked in
baseball as a youngster myself, I know one of the goals of Little
League is to instill good sportsmanship and teamwork on behalf of
players. I commend manager Mickey Lay and coaches Mike Conlon, Tommy
Morris, and Mike Smith for the discipline, the teamwork, and the
respect they instilled in these young men, because at the height of
their victory, zenith of their young careers, they stopped their
celebration to console those they had defeated on the field. That shows
that Little League and its goals of teaching teamwork and sportsmanship
are alive and well, not just in Warner Robins, GA but throughout the
United States. I am pleased to join my colleague and commend the Warner
Robins Little League on their victory and remind everyone, that is back
to back for Georgia. Columbus, GA won last year. Warner Robins won this
year. We will try for a trifecta next year.
I yield the floor.
Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider
be laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 308) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 308
Whereas, on August 26, 2007, the Warner Robins American
Little League team defeated the Tokyo Kitasuna Little League
team of Tokyo, Japan, by 3 runs to 2 runs to win the 61st
annual Little League Baseball World Series;
Whereas the Warner Robins American Little League team had
an impressive record of 20 wins and only 1 loss;
Whereas the success of the Warner Robins American Little
League team depended on the tremendous dedication and
sportsmanship of the team, including--
(1) Keaton Allen, who played outfield and pitched for the
team;
(2) Dalton Carriker, who played shortstop and pitched for
the team;
(3) Zane Conlon, who played 2nd base, shortstop, outfield,
and pitched for the team;
(4) Hunter Jackson, who played 3rd base;
(5) Taylor Lay, who played 2nd base and outfield;
(6) Nick Martens, who played 2nd base and outfield;
(7) Payton Purvis, who played outfield;
(8) Kendall Scott, who pitched and caught for the team;
(9) Hunt Smith, who played 1st base and outfield;
(10) David Umphreyville, who played outfield and caught for
the team;
(11) Micah Wells, who played 1st base; and
(12) Clint Wynn, who played outfield and pitched for the
team;
Whereas the Warner Robins American Little League team was
managed by Mickey Lay and coached by Mike Conlon, Tommy
Morris, and Mike Smith, each of whom demonstrated leadership,
professionalism, and respect for the players they led and the
game of baseball;
Whereas the fans of the Warner Robins American Little
League team showed enthusiasm, support, and courtesy for the
game of baseball and all of the players and coaches;
Whereas the performance of the Warner Robins American
Little League team demonstrated to parents and communities
throughout the United States that athletic participation
builds character and leadership in children;
Whereas the Warner Robins American Little League team
became the second consecutive team from the State of Georgia
to win the Little League World Series, following the win by
the Columbus Northern Little League team in 2006;
Whereas Georgia is only the 4th State to produce back-to-
back champions in the 61-year history of the Little League
World Series and the first State to win back-to-back titles
since 1992-1993;
Whereas every team from the State of Georgia that has
participated in the Little League World Series has won the
Championship; and
Whereas the Warner Robins American Little League team
brought pride and honor to the State of Georgia and the
United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) congratulates and honors the Warner Robins American
Little League team and the loyal fans who supported the team
on winning the 61st annual Little League Baseball World
Series;
(2) recognizes and commends the hard work, dedication,
determination, and commitment to excellence of the members,
parents, coaches, and managers of the Warner Robins American
Little League team;
(3) recognizes and commends the people of Warner Robins,
Georgia, for the outstanding loyalty and support that they
displayed for the Warner Robins American Little League team
throughout the season;
(4) commends Little League Baseball for continuing the
tradition of encouraging the development of sportsmanship and
confidence in youth by sponsoring world-class baseball; and
(5) respectfully requests--
(A) that the American people recognize the achievements of
the Warner Robins American Little League team; and
(B) that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled
copy of this resolution to--
(i) the City of Warner Robins; and
(ii) the Warner Robins American Little League Baseball team
for appropriate display.
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