[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 21, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H8466-H8468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1930
                    HONORING THE LIFE OF HARRY KALAS

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 350) honoring the life and accomplishments of Harry 
Kalas for his invaluable contributions to the national past-time of 
baseball, the community, and the Nation.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 350

       Whereas Harry Kalas, an iconic and beloved sports 
     broadcaster passed away on April 13, 2009;
       Whereas Harry Kalas was born on March 26, 1936, in 
     Naperville, Illinois;
       Whereas Harry Kalas is a 1959 graduate of the University of 
     Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech, Radio, and 
     Television;
       Whereas immediately following graduation, Harry Kalas 
     served in the United States Army for two years in Hawaii;
       Whereas following his service, Harry Kalas began his 
     broadcasting career with KGU Radio broadcasting games for the 
     University of Hawaii and the Hawaii Islanders of the AAA 
     Pacific Coast League;
       Whereas Harry Kalas was a member of the original Houston 
     Astros broadcast team in 1965;
       Whereas Harry Kalas joined the Philadelphia Phillies 
     broadcast team in 1971, calling their games for the past 38 
     years, including 26 years with his great friend and Hall of 
     Famer Richie Ashburn;
       Whereas Harry Kalas had diverse talents, calling University 
     of Houston football, Southwest Conference basketball, Big 
     Five basketball, University of Notre Dame football, and NFL 
     games, throughout his illustrious career as well as providing 
     voice-overs for NFL films and numerous commercials;
       Whereas Harry Kalas broadcast the opening of the Astrodome, 
     Veterans Stadium, and Citizen Bank Ballpark;
       Whereas in 2002, Harry Kalas was the Ford C. Frick Award 
     Winner, named after the former National League President and 
     Major League Baseball Commissioner, which is annually 
     bestowed by the National Baseball Hall of Fame to a 
     broadcaster for ``major contributions to baseball'';

[[Page H8467]]

       Whereas Harry Kalas called 7 National League Championship 
     Series and 3 World Series, being the voice of the 2008 World 
     Champions;
       Whereas Harry Kalas called all of Hall of Famer Steve 
     Carlton's starts as a Phillie, as well as all of Hall of 
     Famer Mike Schmidt's 548 homeruns, making the phrase, ``outta 
     here'', an often imitated but never duplicated signature home 
     run call well known in Philadelphia and the rest of the 
     baseball world;
       Whereas Harry Kalas was named Pennsylvania Sportscaster of 
     the year 18 times and was inducted into the National 
     Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in 
     2008;
       Whereas Harry Kalas was a remarkable husband to his wife, 
     Eileen, and father to his three sons, Todd, Brad, and Kane;
       Whereas his son Todd followed him into the field of sports 
     broadcasting; and
       Whereas Harry Kalas, not just as a voice, but also as a 
     husband, father, friend, and veteran, will be sorely missed 
     in both the Philadelphia region and the United States: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors the life 
     and accomplishments of Harry Kalas for his invaluable 
     contributions to the national past-time of baseball, the 
     community, and the Nation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Schrader). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Utah 
(Mr. Chaffetz) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I am pleased to present House Resolution 350 for 
consideration. This resolution honors the life and accomplishment of 
Harry Kalas.
  House Resolution 350 was introduced by my colleague, Representative 
Joe Sestak, on April 21, 2009, and was favorably reported out of the 
Oversight Committee by unanimous consent on June 18, 2009. 
Additionally, House Resolution 350 enjoys the support of over 50 
Members of Congress.
  Born on March 26, 1936 in Naperville, Illinois, Harry Kalas graduated 
from Naperville High School in 1954 and from the University of Iowa in 
1959, after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech, Radio and 
Television.
  Following his graduation, Mr. Kalas served in the United States Army 
for 2 years, after which he began his distinguished career in 
broadcasting by calling baseball games for the University of Hawaii, as 
well as the Hawaii Islanders of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.
  In 1965, Mr. Kalas made his major league baseball debut as a 
sportscaster with the Houston Astros. Six years later he embarked on 
what would become a 39-year Hall of Fame career as a sports broadcaster 
with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was ultimately paired with his 
good friend and Phillies' Hall of Famer, center fielder Richie Ashburn.
  Nicknamed ``Harry the K'' by Phillies fans, Mr. Kalas originated his 
now-famous ``Outta Here'' home run call in the mid-1970s and, as the 
nearly 40-year voice of the Phillies, called a number of memorable 
Philadelphia and Major League Baseball moments. Among them were the 
first games played at the Houston Astrodome, Veterans Stadium and 
Citizens Bank Park, also Mike Schmidt's 500th home run, and every one 
of Steve Carlton's starts from 1972 to 1986, and, of course, the 
Phillies' two World Series championships in 1980 and in 2008.
  In recognition of his distinguished career, Mr. Kalas received the 
Ford C. Frick Award in 2002 from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, 
which actually bestows the award to broadcasters who have made major 
contributions to the game of baseball.
  However, Mr. Kalas' career was not limited to baseball. In addition 
to his work with the Phillies, Mr. Kalas called a variety of notable 
sports events over the course of his nearly 50-year career and served 
as the longtime voice of NFL films, as featured on the HBO program 
``Inside the NFL.'' Mr. Kalas also lent his voice to a number of well-
known commercials and television specials. But most importantly, Mr. 
Kalas will be equally remembered as a devoted husband to his beloved 
wife, Eileen, and father to his three sons, Todd, Brad, and Kane.
  Regrettably, Harry Kalas passed away on April 13, 2009. In honor of 
their beloved friend and colleague, the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies can 
be seen wearing a black ``H.K.'' patch over the heart of their jerseys, 
and Mr. Kalas' famous home run call can currently be heard playing in 
Citizens Bank Park after every Phillies homer.
  Additionally, the Phillies have renamed their TV broadcast booth the 
Harry Kalas Broadcast Booth.
  Mr. Speaker, let us further honor this distinguished American through 
the passage of this commemorative resolution to honor his life and 
achievements.
  I urge my colleagues to do so and support House Resolution 350.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield as much time as he 
may consume to my distinguished colleague and friend from the State of 
Florida, Mr. Rooney.
  Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, you know, I wasn't planning on speaking 
tonight, but earlier this evening Mr. Chaffetz informed me that you 
were commemorating the life of Harry Kalas. And even though I represent 
the 16th district of Florida, as many Floridians, I came from somewhere 
else. I was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and my 
entire childhood could probably be summed up as being a diehard 
Phillies fan. And I can remember clearly going down to the Jersey Shore 
in the summer times, as so many Philadelphians did. And after being put 
to bed at night by my parents, sneaking out behind the couch there was 
a table, and I stored an AM radio there, and night after night 
listening for hours to the voice of Harry Kalas, the mellow, laid back 
voice that so many Phillies fans just came to admire and love. And how 
many people listened to that voice for so many hours in the City of 
Philadelphia and the Philadelphia region.
  He truly will be missed. And you know, I always told people that I 
wanted to grow up and be a baseball announcer, and it was because of 
Harry Kalas. And somewhere I went off track. But I wanted to take the 
time here on the House floor to commemorate the life of Harry Kalas. 
And someday I hope to be a baseball announcer and I hope to be as good 
as Harry Kalas was.
  Mr. LYNCH. I thank the gentleman from Florida for his remarks and 
adding that personal touch.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time, and I will 
reserve.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H. Res. 350 honoring the voice of the 
Philadelphia Phillies legendary broadcaster, Harry Kalas, for his 
contributions to the national pastime of baseball, to the greater 
Philadelphia community, and to this Nation.
  Mr. Kalas graduated from the University of Iowa in 1959 with a degree 
in Speech, Radio and Television. Upon graduation he was drafted into 
the United States Army, and when discharged he began working as a 
broadcaster.
  He began his 44-year career as a Major League Baseball broadcaster 
with the Houston Astros in 1965. Kalas called the first game at 
Houston's famed Astrodome.
  In advance of the 1971 season, he was hired by the Philadelphia 
Phillies. There he would remain for the next 39 seasons, 27 of which 
Kalas was paired in the booth with Richie ``Whitey'' Ashburn.
  Harry Kalas made many memorable calls while broadcasting for the 
Phillies, including every start of Hall of Fame pitcher Steve Carlton's 
Phillies career, and Mike Schmidt's 500th home run on April 18, 1987. 
Of course, when Harry called the dramatic Schmidt home run, he intoned 
the player's full name, Michael Jack Schmidt.
  His most memorable call, however, came last October 29 at the 
culmination of the Phillies championship run. As the pitcher struck out 
the last batter, Kalas' golden voice erupted: ``The Philadelphia 
Phillies are the 2008 world champions of baseball.''
  He had a number of signature calls, but none was more famous than 
``That ball is outta here!'' home run call.

[[Page H8468]]

  Mr. Kalas' contribution to baseball did not go unrecognized during 
his years as a broadcaster. He was inducted into the broadcaster's wing 
of the baseball Hall of Fame in 2002, and was named Pennsylvania 
Sportscaster of the Year 18 times.
  In addition to his work with the Phillies, Kalas was also the voice 
of NFL films and called various sporting events over his career, 
including Notre Dame football.
  Sadly, Mr. Kalas passed away here in Washington, D.C. at Nationals 
Park in the visiting team's broadcast booth on the afternoon of April 
13, 2009, while doing what he loved, preparing to cover a Phillies 
game.
  I ask my fellow Members to join with me in honoring Harry Kalas for 
his exceptional contributions to baseball and, through that, for his 
contributions to the community and to the Nation and people like Mr. 
Rooney, who grew up hearing his voice and coming to enjoy that.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution and yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, having no further speakers, I do want to ask 
all of our colleagues to join with the lead sponsor of this resolution, 
Mr. Sestak, in supporting his resolution honoring Mr. Kalas.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 350.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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