[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 165 (Friday, November 6, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H12461-H12462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATING THE NEW YORK YANKEES

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 893) congratulating the 2009 Major League 
Baseball World Series Champions, the New York Yankees.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 893

       Whereas the New York Yankees are the most successful 
     franchise in the history of Major League Baseball;
       Whereas prior to this year the Yankees had won 26 World 
     Series Championships, the most in the Major Leagues;
       Whereas this historic franchise is located in the Bronx and 
     is known as the ``Bronx Bombers'';
       Whereas the Yankees franchise has included all-time great 
     players;
       Whereas for many years the Yankees played baseball in the 
     historic Yankee Stadium;
       Whereas this year the Yankees opened a new stadium and hope 
     to emulate the success achieved in the ``House that Ruth 
     Built'';
       Whereas during the 2009 regular season, the Yankees had the 
     best record in baseball, going 103-59;
       Whereas the Yankees finished at the top of the American 
     League East Division;
       Whereas the Yankees went on to beat the Minnesota Twins 3 
     games to 0;
       Whereas the Yankees then faced off against the Los Angeles 
     Angels of Anaheim in the American League Championship Series, 
     and emerged victorious in 6 games;
       Whereas that victory represented the 40th American League 
     Pennant that the Yankees have won;
       Whereas the Yankees were matched up against a valiant 
     Philadelphia Phillies squad for the World Series title;
       Whereas the Yankees were able to defeat the defending World 
     Series Champions by 4 games to 2;
       Whereas this victory represents the Yankees' 27th World 
     Series Championship win;
       Whereas this number of championship wins is 17 more than 
     their next closest competitor;
       Whereas the contributions of the Yankees' players 
     throughout the season were all vital in securing the title; 
     and
       Whereas the Yankees were guided to victory by Manager Joe 
     Girardi, General Manager Brian Cashman, President Randy 
     Levine, and the leadership of Hank and Hal Steinbrenner: Now 
     therefore be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates--
       (1) the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series Champions, 
     the New York Yankees, for an outstanding season and a record 
     27th World Series Championship win; and
       (2) the players, coaches, staff and leadership of the 
     Yankees organization for their great success.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TOWNS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today as a proud New Yorker to call up this 
resolution honoring the New York Yankees on the occasion of their 
victory in the 2009 World Series.
  With this win, the Yankees once again have broken their own record as 
the most successful Major League Baseball franchise, and of course the 
most successful professional sports franchise in our Nation's history.
  The achievements of the Yankees are made even more remarkable by the 
high caliber of the teams they faced throughout the season and in the 
playoffs. The defending champions, the Philadelphia Phillies, had an 
outstanding season and performed well during the World Series. But 
Wednesday night, the Yankees once again returned the World Series 
trophy to New York City, the 27th time they have done this.
  We are proud of our Yankees, and I could go on and on for hours 
discussing the Yankees. I recall just last weekend I spent time with 
friends of mine, Dr. Witherspoon and Dr. Brown, talking about the 
Yankees of yesteryear and today. And of course we talked about the long 
line of outstanding players and the great success that they have had. 
We talked about Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and of course now we can talk 
about Matsui as well.
  We have important business to consider in this House today and 
tomorrow, but it is fitting that we take a small amount of time now to 
congratulate the New York Yankees on their World Series victory.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 893, congratulating the 
2009 Major League Baseball World Series champions, the New York 
Yankees.
  For the 27th time in the history of the World Series, the Yankees 
have once again proven to be the champions by defeating the 
Philadelphia Phillies to win the World Series. Again they have 
distinguished themselves as the dominant team in baseball.
  On a cold November evening, the game kept fans riveted to their seats 
until nearly midnight in the sixth game of the series with the Phillies 
until Mariano Rivera threw his 41st and final pitch of the game to end 
the game.
  The Yankees, also affectionately known as the ``Bronx Bombers'' 
because of their stadium's location in the Bronx, achieved another 
exciting victory for the storied franchise. After finishing the regular 
season with baseball's best record of 103 wins, they showed their 
consummate professionalism by winning it all.
  They finished the regular season by defeating the Minnesota Twins and 
then the Angels to capture the American League Championship. Moving on 
to the World Series, the Yankees defeated the National League's 
champion Phillies by winning four out of six games in the series even 
though the Phillies gave it their all to the very end.
  It is of particular note that the Yankees' 27th World Series wins 
puts them in an unequaled place in baseball history. They have now won 
17 more World Series than their closest competitor.
  I also want to congratulate the rest of the Yankees organization, all 
of whom deserve credit for providing a terrific season for so many 
devoted fans. I would also like to congratulate the Philadelphia 
Phillies, their fans and their players for putting together an exciting 
season.

[[Page H12462]]

  On a particular note, I have the honor of standing here and helping 
to honor Harry Kalas, who affected so many people throughout his 
career. We were sad to see his passing earlier this year; but he 
touched the lives, in a very positive way, of countless Americans, and 
we will miss him.
  I reserve the balance of my time, Madam Speaker.
  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from Utah for 
his kind words. I am happy to hear him say something great about New 
York, and of course our Yankees in particular.
  I would like to yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from New York who 
actually represents the area where the Yankees play, and of course 
that's Congressman Serrano from the Bronx, New York.
  Mr. SERRANO. I thank the gentleman. I thank the ranking member for 
his kindness.
  I hope, Madam Speaker, that the rules can be slightly bent to allow 
this wonderful hat to sit by me as I speak, but we do bring other 
charts and other things to the House floor.
  I have to tell you, I am one of those Yankee fans who doesn't take 
anything for granted, so I was nervous during these games and the 
playoffs.

                          ____________________