[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 11, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3286-H3287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING WILLIAM EARNEST ``ERNIE'' HARWELL
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
resolution (H. Res. 1328) honoring the life and legacy of William
Earnest ``Ernie'' Harwell.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1328
Whereas William Earnest ``Ernie'' Harwell was born in
Washington, Georgia, in 1918, graduated from Emory
University, and began his career as a copy editor and
sportswriter for the Atlanta Constitution and as a regional
correspondent for The Sporting News;
Whereas Ernie Harwell served four years in the United
States Marine Corps during World War II, after which he
announced games on the radio for the Atlanta Crackers of the
Southern Association;
Whereas Ernie Harwell became the only announcer in baseball
history to be traded for a player when the Brooklyn Dodgers
acquired his services from the Atlanta Crackers in 1948;
Whereas Ernie Harwell called baseball games for the
Brooklyn Dodgers through 1949, the New York Giants from 1950
to 1953, including his call of Bobby Thomson's ``shot heard
'round the world'' in the 1951 National League pennant
playoff game on NBC television, and the Baltimore Orioles
from 1954 to 1959;
Whereas in 1960, Ernie Harwell began calling games at the
corner of Michigan and Trumbull as the ``voice'' of Detroit
Tigers baseball, until his retirement from broadcasting in
2002;
Whereas Ernie Harwell called the 1984 World Series for the
Tigers and WJR Radio, exclaiming ``Here comes Herndon, he's
got it! And the Tigers are the champions of 1984!'';
Whereas Ernie Harwell broadcast two Major League All-Star
Games (1958 and 1961) and two World Series (1963 and 1968)
for NBC Radio, numerous American League Championship Series
and American League Division Series for CBS Radio and ESPN
Radio, the CBS Radio Game of the Week from 1992 to 1997,
professional and college football, and the Masters Tournament
of golf;
Whereas Ernie Harwell was honored by the National Baseball
Hall of Fame as the fifth broadcaster to receive its Ford C.
Frick Award in 1981, inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall
of Fame and the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters
Association Hall of Fame in 1989, and inducted into the
National Radio Hall of Fame in 1998;
Whereas in January 2009, the American Sportscasters
Association ranked Harwell 16th on its list of Top 50
Sportscasters of All Time;
Whereas, on May 5, 2010, Ernie Harwell was posthumously
awarded the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports
Broadcasting;
Whereas Ernie Harwell thrilled baseball fans with his
signature call of ``That ball is looooong gone!'', and said,
``Baseball is a lot like life. It's a day-to-day existence,
full of ups and downs. You make the most of your
opportunities in baseball as you do in life.'';
Whereas Ernie Harwell's low-key delivery and colorful,
conversational style are synonymous with baseball and known
to fans across the Nation;
Whereas Ernie Harwell began the first spring training
broadcast of each season with a reading from Song of Solomon
2:11-12: ``For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and
gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the
singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is
heard in our land.'';
Whereas for 55 years, Ernie Harwell endeared Americans in
his broadcast of over 8,400 baseball games;
Whereas Ernie Harwell spent 43 of his 55 major league
seasons calling games for the Detroit Tigers;
Whereas Ernie Harwell said, ``I know we're all going at
some time, and I'm ready for whatever God's got'';
Whereas, on May 4, 2010, Ernie Harwell, residing in Novi,
Michigan, passed away at the age of 92 after a long career
enjoyed by millions; and
Whereas Ernie Harwell is survived by his beloved wife of 68
years, Lulu, their four children, seven grandchildren, and
seven great-grandchildren, and by baseball fans across the
Nation: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) honors the life and legacy of William Earnest ``Ernie''
Harwell for his significant contributions to Major League
Baseball;
(2) expresses profound sorrow at his passing on May 4,
2010; and
(3) expresses sincere condolences to his wife Lulu, and the
rest of his family, friends, colleagues, and admirers.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Towns) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days in which to revise and to 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. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
I rise in support of H. Res. 1328, a resolution honoring the life and
legacy of William ``Ernie'' Harwell. Mr. Harwell, an iconic and beloved
sportscaster for the Detroit Tigers, passed away on May 4, 2010, at the
age of 92. During his 55-year career, he delivered the play-by-play for
more than 8,500 Major League Baseball games, spending more than 40 of
those years calling games for the Tigers. He became known as the
``voice of the Tigers'' due to his colorful style of commentary. A
player called out on a third strike was, he would say, ``called out for
excessive window shopping.'' A double play was ``two for the price of
one.'' He finally retired from broadcasting in 2002 while he was still
in good health, saying he discussed it with his wife and that ``it's
better to leave too early than too late.''
Mr. Harwell's love of baseball was also expressed in writings and
song. In 1955, he wrote, ``The Game for All America,'' an essay
celebrating Americans' love affair with baseball. Mr. Harwell wrote
dozens of songs, including one for Hank Aaron when he broke Babe Ruth's
home run record in 1974.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to
my distinguished colleague from the State of Michigan (Mrs. Miller).
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, last Tuesday, we from metro
Detroit and the entire State of Michigan lost a treasure with the
passing of former Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell.
For generations of Detroit Tiger fans, Ernie Harwell was literally
the voice of summer. Day after day, and year after year, that wonderful
southern gentleman's voice was heard on our radios and made every
baseball season wonderful, regardless of the number of Tigers' wins and
losses. Ernie's voice, broadcasting the Tigers games, was a welcome
friend at family picnics or at the beach. He was with us in our cars as
we were driving up north on a family vacation. He was with us in our
yards and in our garages as we did our household chores. The truth of
the matter is that Ernie Harwell was more than just a baseball
broadcaster; he was a member of our family. And that is why the loss of
Ernie Harwell is being mourned by our entire community, Mr. Speaker.
Whether you are a baseball fan or not, we loved Ernie Harwell because
he personified integrity, generosity, courtesy, honor, and just pure
class.
As a young man, he served our Nation in the United States Marine
Corps during World War II. For 68 years, he shared his life with his
beloved wife, Lulu, their four children, seven grandchildren, and seven
great-grandchildren.
For more than 40 years, his voice was a welcome friend on our radios.
And since his retirement 8 years ago, he was still a constant, beloved
presence in our community. Throughout his life, his charitable acts and
gentle kindness made him a beloved figure for everyone.
And last fall, Mr. Speaker, when he found out he was stricken with
inoperable cancer, Ernie accepted his fate
[[Page H3287]]
with grace because of his deep and abiding faith in God and in the
knowledge that he had led a wonderful life. Last September, Ernie gave
a farewell speech before a Tigers game at Comerica Park. I want to read
from a bit of that speech so you have an understanding of why we all
loved Ernie Harwell so much. He said:
``In my almost 92 years on this Earth, the good Lord has blessed me
with a great journey. And the blessed part of that journey is that it's
going to end here in the great State of Michigan. I deeply appreciate
the people of Michigan. I love their grit. I love the way they face
life. I love the family values they have. And you Tigers fans are the
greatest fans of all. No question about that. And I certainly want to
thank you from the depth of my heart for your devotion, your support,
your loyalty, and your love. Thank you very much, and God bless you.''
That's what he said, Mr. Speaker. And we love you too, Ernie.
Our hearts go out to Ernie's beloved wife, Lulu, for her great loss,
and we send our thanks to Mrs. Harwell for sharing the man that she
loved for these many years with millions throughout Michigan and around
our Nation. And thank you, Ernie, for being such a special part of the
lives of so many in our community. God bless you, good friend, and may
you rest in peace.
{time} 1445
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, this resolution was introduced by our
colleague, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter), on May 5, 2010.
It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
which reported the resolution by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010. The
measure enjoys the support of 70 Members of the House.
I thank the gentleman from Michigan for introducing this measure, and
I thank the staff along with the ranking member, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Issa), for working to bring this resolution to the
floor today.
On that note, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, they say that youth is wasted on the young, and in many
ways it is. As a kid growing up in Michigan who loved baseball, going
through those deep winters was very difficult. We would wait for the
first signs of spring, and one of the surest signs that spring was here
was the voice of Ernie Harwell. As I was growing up, our Tigers were
not always at the top of their game. They had some very tough years
there. But somehow that didn't matter when you listened to Ernie
Harwell's voice on the radio. When you heard him describe the game of
baseball, you could understand the majesty and the lore that runs
through generations. And what was going on on that field to us who were
listening was very important. And as a child, you tend to think that
some of the things you inherit or are fortunate enough to happen upon
will stay that way forever. And in some ways Ernie tried his best. His
long, distinguished career allowed a kid like me to think that somehow
that voice would go on forever through that radio, reminding us of the
joys of what is really a child's game.
And now Detroit has lost him, the baseball community has lost him,
but we have not lost the resonance of his voice in our hearts. And
every time spring comes, we will be reminded not only that the joy of
the national pastime is back, but we will be reminded of the joy of
listening to and being with Ernie Harwell.
Mr. Speaker, I would urge all Members to support the passage of H.
Res. 1328.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this
resolution honoring Mr. Harwell, a colorful character who will be
deeply missed by the people not only of Michigan, people throughout
this Nation. I had an opportunity many, many years ago to hear him and
I will be honest with you, even though my team was losing that day, I
must admit I enjoyed hearing his voice, even though my team was not on
top.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1328.
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. TOWNS. 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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