[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 9, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1059-E1060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            KEN GRIFFEY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 2010

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
recently retired Ken Griffey, Jr. Griffey retired last week from Major 
League Baseball after hitting 630 home runs, driving in 1,836 runs, and 
scoring 2,781 times. I won't even attempt to quantify the OOOOHHS and 
AAAAHHS.
  Griffey joined the Seattle Mariners in 1989, when I was with the King 
County Sheriffs Department. At times, I was assigned to provide 
security at many of the sporting events held at the Kingdome. At these 
events, I watched an assortment of professional athletes practice their 
trade in Seattle. When Ken Griffey, Jr., took the field, he scaled 
walls, hit tape-measure home runs, and rounded the bases with a smile 
on his face that made spectators instant fans. His career was 
extraordinary, his accomplishments legendary, and his impact on 
baseball in the Northwest may never be equaled.

[[Page E1060]]

Griffey played with exuberance and passion and created memories for 
baseball fans around the world.
  A lot of Mariners fans were upset with Griffey when he left the 
Seattle Mariners after the 1999 season. Madam Speaker, I was not one. 
As a father, I completely understood Griffey's desire to be close to 
his family and play a bigger role in raising his children--a role too 
many men abdicate. Plus, Madam Speaker, his departure allowed for his 
joyous return, beginning in 2007 when he returned to Safeco Field in 
Seattle as a member of the Cincinnati Reds. The homecoming crowd 
cheered with delight, Griffey barely contained his emotions, and 
everyone knew ``The Kid'' would one day call Seattle home again.
  It's fitting that Griffey ended his career in a Seattle Mariners 
uniform because he deserved to leave the game as a legend--and I 
believe his legend was established in Seattle. Madam Speaker, my staff 
and I wish Ken Griffey, his wife, and their three children the very 
best in the future. He changed baseball in the Northwest forever and 
his contribution won't be forgotten.

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