[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 168 (Thursday, November 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING MIKE LOWELL: THE 2007 WORLD SERIES MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 1, 2007

  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor 
the accomplishments of one of my constituents, Mike Lowell of the World 
Champion Boston Red Sox, for being named the 2007 World Series Most 
Valuable Player.
  Mike grew up in Miami where he was a high school baseball star at 
Coral Gables Senior High School. He made the All-Dade First Team and 
was an All-State/All-Star in 1992. He did all this while maintaining a 
4.0 GPA.
  Mike was offered a full scholarship by Florida International 
University, FIU, where he excelled both as a student and an athlete and 
was honored as an Academic All-American.
  In 1995, he was drafted by the New York Yankees and quickly moved up 
the minor league system. His parents, Carl and Beatriz, always stressed 
the importance of a good education, and after being drafted, he 
returned to FIU. He graduated magna cum laude in 1996 with a degree in 
finance.
  In 1999, he was traded back home to play for the Florida Marlins. 
However, less than three weeks later, Mike's plans were put on hold by 
a startling discovery. While undergoing a regular physical examination, 
Mike was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The surgery and three weeks 
of radiation were successful. Mike recovered with the love and support 
of his family, including his lovely wife Bertica, and today he remains 
cancer-free.
  Mike created the Mike Lowell Foundation, which helps raise funds for 
cancer research and helps pay for medical care to low income cancer 
patients.
  While a member of the Marlins, he was a key contributor to their 
exciting 2003 World Series Championship. Mike was a 2002 and 2003 All-
Star and won the 2003 National League Silver Slugger Award, which is 
given to the top offensive players at each position. In 2005, he won 
his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award for his ``superior fielding 
performance'' at third base.
  On November 21, 2005, the Marlins traded Mike to the Boston Red Sox. 
He was voted onto the 2007 American League All-Star Team by his peers. 
In the 2007 season, he had a .324 batting average, hit 21 home runs and 
was the Red Sox team leader with 120 RBIs.
  In the post-season, Mike was truly ``El Senor Octubre''. In the 
American League Divisional Series and the American League Championship 
Series, Mike batted in 11 runs for Boston as they defeated the Los 
Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Cleveland Indians.
  But it was on baseball's grandest stage that Mike Lowell shined 
brightest. During the World Series, Mike batted .400, scored 6 runs and 
drove in 4, including a home run in the decisive Game 4 against the 
Colorado Rockies. For his extraordinary performance, he was named the 
2007 World Series Most Valuable Player.
  I wish to congratulate Mike for his extraordinary accomplishments. He 
has earned the profound respect and affection of millions of baseball 
fans, and shown the entire Nation what the south Florida community has 
known for a long time, that Mike Lowell is an extremely talented, 
intelligent, and decent man. I am truly honored to be able to call Mike 
Lowell my friend.

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