[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 176 (Wednesday, December 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOEL HANRAHAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVID YOUNG

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2016

  Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Iowa native 
Joel Hanrahan upon his retirement from Major League Baseball (MLB) 
after a successful seven-year career, playing for 3 different MLB 
franchises.
  Ever since the second grade, when his teachers or classmates would 
ask what he wanted to be when he grew up, Joel knew he wanted to be a 
baseball player. He became known to Iowans as a star pitcher for the 
Norwalk High School Warriors, later pitching for the University of 
Nebraska before being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2000. After 
honing his skills in the minor leagues, he made his MLB debut with the 
Washington Nationals on July 28, 2007. He earned his first win as a 
pitcher a week later against the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite his love 
of the game, Joel ultimately had to make the difficult decision to 
retire in 2016. During his career, he compiled a 22-18 record with a 
3.85 earned-run average and 100 saves. He also earned a coveted 
position in the 2011 and 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star games.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Joel for his years of dedication to a game he 
loves. I am certain that the drive that led him to become an MLB All-
Star pitcher will lead to success no matter where his path takes him 
next. I ask that my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives join me in congratulating him and in wishing him 
nothing but continued success.

                          ____________________