[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING GEORGE STEINBRENNER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 14, 2010

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
life of George Steinbrenner and to acknowledge the profound impact he 
had on the Tampa Bay community through his philanthropic contributions. 
He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy and will be remembered for his 
generous spirit that improved the lives of countless families.
  Born in Rocky River, Ohio, Mr. Steinbrenner graduated with a 
bachelor's degree from Williams College in 1952 and earned a master's 
degree in physical education at the Ohio State University in 1955. He 
became the owner of the New York Yankees baseball team in 1973 and 
settled in Tampa in the mideighties. Tampa is the spring training home 
of the Yankees and the Legend's Field baseball complex that they use 
was renamed George M. Steinbrenner Field in 2008. Over the past 
decades, Steinbrenner truly came to consider Tampa ``home,'' evidenced 
by his abundant contributions to youth sports, public schools, 
children's issues, military groups, and law enforcement.
  He contributed to many different charities, from the Boys and Girls 
Clubs to the Tampa Mayor's Alliance of Persons with Disabilities to St. 
Joseph's Children's Hospital. Steinbrenner was determined to make a 
difference in the lives of his neighbors. In addition to initiating the 
school district's middle school athletics program, he gave to local 
schools to help fund new athletics facilities, including football 
stadiums, lighting, tracks, and an aquatic center. Steinbrenner hosted 
students every year at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center for the 
annual holiday concert. He also launched the Gold Shields Foundation, 
an organization that helps families of slain local law enforcement 
offices.
  From a distance, Mr. Steinbrenner may be remembered nationally as the 
man who assembled baseball powerhouses, but in Tampa his name evokes a 
legacy of generosity and a true desire for the betterment of others. As 
a philanthropist, Steinbrenner made his contributions quietly, often 
preferring to remain anonymous and avoid publicity in his giving.
  I rise today on the floor of the United States House of 
Representatives to honor the life of George Steinbrenner, to pay 
tribute to his outstanding contributions to the Tampa community. His 
wife Joan and children Jenny, Hank, and Hal are valued family members 
of our greater community as well. The Steinbrenner family's spirit of 
charity is an inspiration to all who know them and their philanthropy 
will live on in the lives of countless friends and families.

                          ____________________