[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 18311-18313]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                        HONORING CAL RIPKEN, JR.

  Mrs. MORELLA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H.Res. 247) honoring Cal Ripken, Jr., for an 
outstanding career, congratulating him on his retirement, and thanking 
him for his contributions to baseball, to the State of Maryland, and to 
the Nation.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 247

       Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr., played in 2,632 consecutive Major 
     League Baseball games and holds the all-time record for 
     consecutive games played by a Major League player, shattering 
     Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130;
       Whereas Ripken has over 3,000 career hits and ranks 14th on 
     the all-time hit list;
       Whereas Ripken is 1 of only 7 players to have 400 home runs 
     and 3,000 hits in a career;
       Whereas Ripken was an All-Star 19 times in his Major League 
     career, twice winning Most Valuable Player of the All-Star 
     Game;
       Whereas Ripken was named to Major League Baseball's All-
     Century Team;
       Whereas Ripken has won 2 Golden Gloves and 2 Most Valuable 
     Player awards;
       Whereas Ripken played all 21 of his Major League seasons 
     with the Baltimore Orioles, choosing to stay with his team in 
     an era dominated by free agency;
       Whereas at one point during his career with the Orioles, 
     Ripken's brother Bill Ripken was also playing for the team, 
     and his father, Cal Ripken, Sr., was managing;
       Whereas Ripken has been a model citizen for Harford County, 
     Maryland, and the Baltimore City metropolitan area while 
     contributing millions of dollars and countless hours to 
     community projects;
       Whereas Ripken and his wife Kelly have led their community 
     in projects ranging from battling illiteracy to helping 
     inner-city youth through various foundations, including the 
     Kelly and Cal Ripken, Jr., Foundation, the Baltimore Reads 
     Ripken Learning Center, and the Reading, Runs, and Ripken 
     program; and
       Whereas Ripken has pledged $9,000,000 for the construction 
     of a baseball facility in Harford County, Maryland, which 
     includes 6 baseball fields, recreational facilities, and 
     dormitories: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors Cal 
     Ripken, Jr., for an outstanding career, congratulates him on 
     his retirement, and thanks him for his contributions to 
     baseball, to the State of Maryland, and to the Nation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. MORELLA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H.Res. 247.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to speak on House Resolution 247, a 
resolution introduced by the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Ehrlich). This legislation is cosponsored by all Members of the House 
delegation from the State of Maryland and others.
  I am proud to be personally associated with this resolution, and I 
rise in strong support of it, congratulating Cal Ripken, Jr., 
baseball's true ironman, on a 20-year career full of great achievements 
and dramatic moments. He is a hero to Marylanders and to all Americans.
  During his 2 decades as a Baltimore Oriole, Cal Ripken embodies what 
it means to love the game of baseball. His grace, talent, 
determination, and strength of character have been obvious both on and 
off the field. Cal will retire this week as one of only seven players 
in the history of baseball to collect more than 3,000 hits and 400 home 
runs in a career. The other six are in the Hall of Fame, and we look 
forward to the summer day in 2006 when Cal will join them.
  His place in baseball history has long been secure. Cal set a Major 
League record with 345 home runs as a short-stop, won the Rookie of the 
Year and two American League Most Valued Players awards, earned two 
Gold Glove awards, and led the Orioles to their last World Series 
triumph in 1983.
  Cal Ripken is the consummate professional. All he wanted to do was 
come to the park every day, work harder than anyone else, and play the 
game. And from May 30, 1982 until September 19, 1998, Cal did just 
that, for every single game. He shattered what was thought to be an 
unbreakable record, Lou Gehrig's streak of playing in 2,130 consecutive 
games. When Cal decided to voluntarily end ``the streak,'' he had 
bested Gehrig's mark by more than three full seasons. It is 
unimaginable that his record of 2,632 games will ever be approached.
  And what is amazing about Cal Ripken, Jr., is that he has had as many 
triumphs off the field as on it. He and his wife long ago founded the 
Kelly and Cal Ripken, Jr., Foundation, which primarily supports adult 
and family literacy, youth recreation, and health-related programs in 
the Baltimore, Maryland area. He is active in medical research, 
supporting the performing arts and other civic activities. It speaks 
for itself that just last year the Babe Ruth Baseball League chose to 
name its youth division, which teaches baseball to children between 5 
and 12 years of age, after Baltimore's own ironman.
  For 20 years, Cal Ripken, Jr., wore number 8 on the back of his 
jersey, but he was always number one in our hearts. Thanks for the 
memories, Cal.
  Madam Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Ehrlich) for introducing H.Res. 247, and to all of the cosponsors of 
the resolution. I also want to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. 
Burton) of the Committee on Government Reform; the chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Civil Service, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon); 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman); and the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis), the ranking members respectively on the Committee 
on Government Reform and the Subcommittee on Civil Service for 
expediting consideration of this measure.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support House Resolution 247.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I am sure that there are those who would want to ask 
the question, given the circumstances of our time and our being, why 
are we taking time to honor athletes? Why are we taking time to tell 
people about individuals who have hero status that are

[[Page 18312]]

not necessarily related to September 11?
  Then there are those who understand that the individuals we honor, 
such as Cal Ripken, represent the essence of what is good and wholesome 
in our Nation, represent the essence of courage, of endurance, of 
skill, the kind of courage, endurance and skill that can serve us well 
in any endeavor.
  Cal Ripken holds the major league record for the most consecutive 
games played. On September 6, 1995, in the 14th season of his streak, 
Ripken surpassed the previous record of 2,130 consecutive games played 
which had been set by Lou Gehrig in 1939, and which, for many years, 
had been considered unbreakable. Ripken's streak of 2,632 consecutive 
games over nearly 17 seasons ended on September 20, 1998, when he asked 
to be taken out of the starting line-up. His durability, attitude and 
mastery of the fundamental skills of baseball made him one of the 
sport's most respected performers of the late 20th century.
  Calvin Edwin Ripken, Jr. was born in Maryland and grew up in 
Maryland. He was signed by the Baltimore Orioles after he graduated 
from high school in 1978, and he debuted in the major leagues for the 
Orioles in 1981. By 1983, he was considered one of the best shortstops 
in the major leagues, leading the American League that year in hits, 
doubles, runs and assists.
  Ripken's play in 1983 earned him the American League's Most Valuable 
Player award. Ripken's baseball accomplishments are numerous. In 1984, 
he established an American League fielding record with 583 assists. Six 
years later, he set a single season record for fielding percentage by a 
shortstop when he registered a .996 mark in 1990, committing only three 
errors in 680 chances.
  In 1991, when Ripken won the American League Most Valuable Player 
award for the second time, he had a .323 batting average with 34 home 
runs and 114 runs batted in during the season. That same year, he was 
also the Most Valuable Player of the All-Star game and the American 
League Gold Glove winner for fielding at shortstop.
  In 1997, Ripken moved from shortstop to third base. The change of 
position did not affect his streak. In 1998, Ripken continued at third 
base and led American league third basemen with a .979 fielding 
average. He was also voted to the All-Star game for the 16th 
consecutive time.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to 
the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ehrlich), the sponsor of this 
legislation.
  Mr. EHRLICH. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlewoman, my 
friend from Montgomery County, and thank her for the time.
  We all just heard the records. It probably should be repeated: 2,632 
consecutive games; Most Valuable Player awards, two; 19 All-Star games; 
3,000 hits; 14th all time in hits; one of seven players to have 400 
home runs and 3,000 hits in a career; American League Rookie of the 
Year in 1982; born, raised, bred and lives in the Second Congressional 
District. I know the gentlewoman from Maryland is proud of that, and 
the Third right next door, we have been joined by the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Cardin) who shares our pride in Cal's accomplishments. He 
is the best shortstop I have ever seen and a great athlete. Three 
errors in one season and all those chances, a .996 fielding percentage 
speaks for itself, an incredible athletic feat.
  But I would like just a minute or two to talk about something outside 
the numbers, the statistics, the records, the legend, and, that is, 
what a role model is. It is an often overused and abused term these 
days in this country, even prior to the events of 2 weeks ago. It is 
overused and abused because it is not correct in many contexts.
  With regard to this man and this family and what they have meant to 
Aberdeen and Harford County and the metropolitan area and the State and 
the country and the national pastime, it is appropriate. He lives it 
every day. It is the way he conducts himself, like a pro, with the 
children and understanding the importance of giving back, as a 
professional athlete, the wealth of fame he has. Many do not give back. 
He does. Cal does. It is why he is the most popular athlete in America 
today.
  He gives back in so many ways. He gives back with respect to literacy 
programs, in helping kids, and $9 million for little leaguers to learn 
the game, learn it the right way, learn it the Ripken way, giving back 
to us, to make us better, giving back to our kids to make their lives 
better. That is what a real pro is about. That is what an American hero 
is truly all about.
  I am really happy to join my colleagues today in honoring our friend 
and national hero, Cal Ripken.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to 
yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Cardin).
  Mr. CARDIN. Madam Speaker, let me thank my friend for yielding me 
this time. I just want to follow up on some of the comments that the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ehrlich) made. It is true that he grew up 
in the Second Congressional District, he lives and played most of his 
career in the Third Congressional District, but he is truly the pride 
of all of Maryland. He is what we think a sports figure should be, a 
role model should be, and a person that gives back so much to his 
community beyond just playing baseball. We have heard these numbers. As 
the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ehrlich) said, they are worth 
repeating.
  Americans across the Nation have taken joy in the many successes of 
Cal's remarkable career, from his 2,632 consecutive major league games, 
to his 3,000 career hits and 400 home runs and his 19 All-Star 
appearances. He redefined our notion of what a shortstop should be, 
paving the way for a new generation of stars, including Alex Rodriguez 
and Derek Jeter. He represents all that is right with sports and 
competition in America.
  Madam Speaker, over a long career that has been defined by consistent 
excellence, Cal has also demonstrated an ability to rise to the 
occasion and perform best when the spotlight was brightest. His career 
batting average in the postseason is a remarkable .328. I think none of 
us will forget that when he tied Lou Gehrig's record and then when he 
went on to beat Lou Gehrig's record for the most consecutive games, in 
both of those games, with everyone in the Nation focused on Camden 
Yards, he hit home runs. And the second home run, the President of the 
United States was actually in the press gallery calling the game, 
calling the home run.
  During that time, he met the Nation's attention with humor and good 
will, frequently staying on the field long after the end of a ball game 
to sign autographs for thousands of fans. His performance, both on the 
field and off, coming at a time when baseball had been rocked by the 
cancellation of the World Series, led many sportswriters to declare 
that Cal had ``saved baseball.'' In the process, we can say that he 
showed us the essence of grace under pressure.
  Of course, we in Maryland take special pleasure and celebrate Cal as 
one of our own. Number 8 has played all 21 years of his major league 
career as a Baltimore Oriole. While that is rare enough in major league 
sports, at one point Cal's brother Bill was playing for the Orioles as 
well as his father, Cal Sr., was managing the team. The Ripken family 
has played an extraordinary role in the Baltimore community for a 
generation.
  As the people of Maryland have enjoyed Cal's career and shown him 
unending support, Cal has been a strong community leader. As my 
colleague from Baltimore County pointed out, he and his family have 
given generously to many worthy projects and have led on many more, 
including the Baltimore Reads Ripken Learning Center and the Reading, 
Runs and Ripken program. He has truly given back so much to our 
community in addition to what he does on the field.
  With Cal's retirement from major league baseball, we look forward to 
his continued role as a leader in our community. Among other efforts, 
Ripken is

[[Page 18313]]

building a major, new baseball facility in his hometown of Aberdeen, 
just north of Baltimore.
  Madam Speaker, at a time when the sports news is often dominated by 
reports of labor unrest or athletes involved in unsavory behavior or 
owners running their team with no apparent regard for the feelings of 
loyal fans, Cal Ripken, Jr. has stood has a symbol of all that is good 
and right about baseball. For Cal, it has always been the game that 
matters the most. His dedication to the rhythms and rituals of the 
game, his commitment to doing a job he loved as well as he could, day 
in and day out, has stood as an example to millions of Americans, and 
especially America's children, that we can admire and aspire to what he 
has done.
  Madam Speaker, this weekend will be the end of an extraordinary 
career by Cal Ripken as he plays his last game at Camden Yards. His 
legacy will live on. He will serve as a model for future generations. I 
urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the outstanding career of 
Cal Ripken, Jr.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  After listening to all of the accomplishments of Cal Ripken, there is 
no wonder that we would take time to congratulate and honor him on his 
retirement.
  Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I thank the gentleman for his comments and those that have been 
offered by all of those who have spoken on this particular issue. It is 
true that Cal Ripken wore the number 8 on his back but is number 1 in 
our hearts. We are very proud in Maryland of the record that he has 
set, of him as a role model, and we are very proud of him as Americans.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, this Member rises in support of H. Res. 
247, to honor, congratulate, and thank Cal Ripken.
  In less than a week, Cal Ripken will conclude his remarkable baseball 
career and it's certainly appropriate to take this opportunity to 
recognize his contributions both on and off the field. Throughout his 
21 years in the majors, Cal exemplified the highest possible level of 
sportsmanship. His constant dedication and unmatched work ethic earned 
him the respect and admiration of teammates, opponents, and millions of 
fans.
  Quite simply, Cal knew the right formula for success. He combined a 
serious approach to the game's fundamentals with an infectious 
enthusiasm and sense of fun each time he went on the field. Cal's 
determination as well as his love of the game were obvious for all to 
see.
  Cal clearly put up some of the most impressive numbers in baseball 
history during his Hall of Fame career. He also set a new standard for 
shortstops with his power hitting and nearly flawless fielding. He is 
one of only seven players with at least 400 home runs and 3,000 hits.
  However, the most amazing number in Cal's illustrious career is 
certainly 2,632, the number of consecutive games he played. It's a 
record that virtually everyone agrees will never be matched and it 
symbolizes an unequaled commitment to doing a job and doing it right.
  Many of Cal's accomplishments can be quantified, but these numbers 
offer only a glimpse of his profound influence throughout baseball and 
society. He became a role model for children and adults alike who saw 
what can be done through preparation, hard work, and perseverance.
  Cal's unique style of play appealed to fans on many different levels. 
The intense baseball fan admired his meticulous attention to detail and 
studious approach to the game. The casual fan appreciated his dramatic 
home runs and extraordinary defensive plays. Even those who didn't 
follow baseball admired all that he represented as a player.
  The Iron Man won gold glove and silver bat awards, but it was the 
intangibles that helped set him apart. Perhaps more than anything, it's 
Cal's character and strong values that make him such a special 
individual. His loyalty, demonstrated by playing his entire career with 
the Baltimore Orioles, was extended to his teammates and those who 
enjoyed watching him play.
  Off the field, Cal always had times for the fans. He also put an 
emphasis on giving back to the community. He and his wife have 
supported numerous charities through the Kelly and Cal Ripken, Jr. 
Foundation and have promoted adult literacy, medical research and 
numerous other worthy causes.
  Fortunately for baseball fans everywhere, Cal has made it clear that 
he plans on staying involved in the game that he loves. His commitment 
to share his knowledge with young players means that the ``Ripken Way'' 
will continue even after Cal retires.
  Madam Speaker, this Member is pleased to join all of America in 
saying ``Thank you, Cal'' and wishing him well.
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise to presonally 
congratulate an American icon--a role model in the game of baseball and 
culture--Cal Ripken, Junior.
  In the world of sports, it is pretty difficult to find someone who 
children can look up to, admire and emulate. Too often, popular figures 
seem to lose their roots and gain a false sense of pride. But not Cal 
Ripken. He is a class act--a stand-up guy. In the Major Leagues, he 
takes us back to the future by reminding us about the best of what was, 
while breaking records and re-defining what is. He has kept baseball 
historians and statisticians on their feet by constantly out-performing 
himself and others. The awards he has won speak for themselves.
  Cal Ripken, Junior picked a team and stuck with it through thick and 
thin. Like the heroes of yester-year, Ripken chose not to shop around 
for the highest bidder. Rather, he excelled while being a team player 
in the truest sense of the words.
  Off the field, Cal Ripken, Junior was a classy a guy as he was on the 
infield. We recognize him as a model citizen for the good works he has 
performed. Ripken has given his time and money to investing in our 
nation's youth, combating illiteracy and other laudable missions.
  It is never easy to say goodbye. I do not doubt the difficulty 
involved with retiring from the game of baseball. But there is 
something to be said for going out on top. In fact, I just saw Ripken 
hit a grand slam a few week ago.
  For the service Cal Ripken, Junior has performed on his own time and 
the amazing talent he has demonstrated inside the park, Congress 
commends Mr. Ripken. There may never be another like him in Baltimore. 
I look forward to watching Cal Ripken's last game and wish him a 
lifetime of happiness in his retirement.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 247.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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