[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 158 (Monday, September 14, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               GENE BUDIG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOE CUNNINGHAM

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 14, 2020

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Dr. 
Gene Budig of lsle of Palms, South Carolina. Gene was raised in the 
small town of McCook, Nebraska where his love of baseball began at age 
12. He wrote to then St. Louis Browns owner, Bill Veeck, asking for a 
tryout and received a letter back informing Gene that he could have a 
tryout under the stipulations that he graduate high school. This 
formative moment taught Gene that with a little audacity and a lot of 
hard work, achieving his dreams was possible.
  In his 81 years, Gene served in countless leadership positions across 
the country, from Major General in the Air National Guard; University 
President at lllinois State, West Virginia and Kansas; and a newspaper 
executive and author, just to name a few. Despite his lengthy 
educational career, anyone who knew Gene knew his deep passion for 
baseball and that he wore his love for the game, and the Yankees, on 
his sleeve. Gene was the last President of the American League, where 
he celebrated diversity and hired Larry Doby, the first Black player in 
the American League, as an assistant. The Charleston RiverDogs brought 
Gene back to his childhood barter with Bill Veeck, but this time, he 
was shaking hands with his son, Mike Veeck. In the 14 years that Gene 
served as co-owner, it was clear how much the franchise loved Gene. We 
will all miss his kind presence.
  Gene is survived by Gretchen, his wife of 57 years, his three 
children, and his siblings. The Lowcountry mourns this loss but will 
remember Gene for the life he lived as a loving father, a leader full 
of wit and integrity, and an avid fan of all things baseball.

                          ____________________