[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   IN HONOR OF DODGER STADIUM IN RECOGNITION OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2012

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of Los Angeles' 
greatest landmarks, Dodger Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. 
The 2012 season marks the 50th anniversary of Dodger Stadium.
  It ranks as the third oldest, continually-used park in Major League 
Baseball and still one of the most attended and highly regarded 
stadiums in America. Dodger Stadium has hosted more than 143 million 
fans since it opened its doors in 1962. The club topped the 3.85 
million attendance mark in 2007, which stands as the all-time franchise 
record.
  Ever since Brooklyn Dodger President Walter O'Malley decided to move 
his team to Los Angeles in 1958 and bring Major League Baseball to 
California for the first time, this stadium has been home to some of 
the most memorable events in Dodger history. Many Dodger fans still 
recall Sandy Koufax's perfect game in 1965, the rise of Fernandomania, 
and Kirk Gibson's walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
  Since opening its gates, Dodger Stadium has hosted eight World Series 
and the Los Angeles Dodgers have won four World Championships, eight 
National League pennants, 11 National League Western Division crowns 
and two National League Wild Card berths. From 1992 to 1996, the 
Dodgers set a major league baseball record with five consecutive 
players being named Rookie of the year: Eric Karros, Mike Piazza, Raul 
Mondesi, Hideo Nomo and Todd Hollandsworth.
  Dodger Stadium has awed spectators with a breathtaking view of 
downtown Los Angeles to the south; green, tree-lined Elysian hills to 
the north and east; and the San Gabriel Mountains beyond. Walter 
O'Malley and architecht Emil Praeger designed the 56,000-seat stadium, 
the second privately financed ballpark in baseball history. Its wavy 
roof atop each outfield pavilion, cantilevered grandstands and unique 
terraced-earthworks parking lot behind the main stands make Dodger 
Stadium one of the most innovatively designed baseball stadiums.
  Besides being home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the stadium has played 
host to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 1980 and the Olympic 
Games' baseball competition in 1984. The eight-team competition during 
the 1984 Olympic Games marked baseball's greatest involvement in the 
Olympic Games to that point. The Olympic spirit returned to Los Angeles 
again in 1991, as Dodger Stadium hosted the Opening Ceremonies for the 
United States Olympic Festival. In 2004, the Olympic Torch relay in Los 
Angeles concluded at Dodger Stadium as Rafer Johnson lit the cauldron 
at Chavez Ravine.
  Dodger Stadium has also been the site of numerous non-baseball major 
events. On September 16, 1987 Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass at 
Dodger Stadium to a crowd of 63,000 people. Entertainers from around 
the world have performed here as well, such as Madonna, The Beatles and 
Michael Jackson. Dodger Stadium also staged one of the world's greatest 
entertainment events in 1994, when internationally-renowned tenors Jose 
Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti reunited for a 
spectacular concert performance ``Encore--The Three Tenors'' with 
conductor Zubin Mehta.
  Without a doubt, Dodger Stadium is one of America's treasured venues. 
It continues to be a major part of the history and tradition of the 
Dodgers. It has been the home of one of professional sports' most 
storied franchises, a destination for a worldwide fan base and an 
enduring monument for a bustling, multicultural city. For 50 years in 
the heart of Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has truly been a home for both 
a team and a community. I am honored to have such an organization and 
landmark in the 31st Congressional District of California.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with deep pride that I ask my colleagues to join 
me in celebrating the ``Golden Anniversary'' of one of America's great 
landmarks, Dodger Stadium.

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