[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13332-13337]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING SAMMY SOSA OF CHICAGO CUBS FOR HITTING 500 MAJOR LEAGUE 
                               HOME RUNS

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 195) congratulating Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs 
for hitting 500 major league home runs.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 195

       Whereas Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs hit a home run in 
     the seventh inning on Friday, April 3, 2003, against the 
     Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ball Park;
       Whereas his home run was the 500th of his career, making 
     Sammy Sosa only the 18th player in major league history to 
     reach the mark and the first Latino to accomplish this 
     outstanding feat;
       Whereas Sammy Sosa's achievement is one of the most 
     impressive and difficult to accomplish in baseball history, 
     placing him in the very select company of the greatest home 
     run hitters of all time, including Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, 
     Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Mel Ott, and Ernie Banks;
       Whereas from his first home run off Roger Clemens in 1989 
     to today, Sammy Sosa has awed us with his ability and 
     athletic prowess on the field and his dignity and 
     selflessness off the field;
       Whereas Sammy Sosa has showed us how powerful the 
     combination of discipline and desire can be;
       Whereas throughout his record-breaking career Sammy Sosa 
     has embodied the talent, exuberance, team-spirit, and 
     determination that Americans associate with the very best 
     qualities of sports and athletic competition;
       Whereas throughout the intense media scrutiny and public 
     attention that has accompanied his historic career, Sammy 
     Sosa

[[Page 13333]]

     has consistently conducted himself with modesty and humility 
     that has been an inspiration to all Americans; and
       Whereas as a native of the Dominican Republic, Sammy Sosa 
     has proven to be an outstanding role model and source of 
     pride for all residents of his native country, as well as all 
     Latin Americans and all immigrants to the U.S. from across 
     the globe: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates 
     and commends Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs for his amazing 
     accomplishment and thanks him for tearing down barriers for 
     Latinos around the world, for being a role model and an 
     inspiration, and for letting us dream as big as our hearts 
     will allow.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Souder) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H. Res. 195.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Indiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 195, introduced by the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Gutierrez), celebrates and congratulates Sammy Sosa of the Chicago 
Cubs for hitting 500 major league home runs. It is a unique honor to 
bring up this legislation to recognize the accomplishments of Sammy 
Sosa of the Chicago Cubs, who certainly is one of the greatest ball 
players of our generation, and likely of all time.
  While the resolution before us this afternoon congratulates him for 
hitting his 500th home run earlier this season, I believe it is also 
appropriate to recognize his many accomplishments, on and off the 
field, as a superlative hitter, goodwill ambassador for his native 
Dominican Republic and, most importantly, as the exemplification of the 
best qualities the game of baseball holds for every American.
  Let me start with Sammy's formidable accomplishments and sustained 
excellence on the field. I am told that the record today literally will 
not hold a listing of each of his 500 career home runs. He is just the 
18th player in the history of baseball to reach this milestone. He is 
the only player ever to get 60 or more home runs in three seasons. 
Sammy Sosa, Babe Ruth, and Mark McGwire are the only players ever to 
have had more than two seasons hitting 50 home runs. Sammy holds or 
shares 24 major league records and an additional 10 National League 
records.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a listing of those records as 
well as a summary of his accomplishments and listing by year of each of 
his career home runs.
  In recent years, there have been other players who have arguably 
performed as well in one season, but no one has matched or sustained 
the overall level of excellence set by Sammy Sosa. But what is so 
extraordinary about these achievements is not their difficulty as an 
athletic accomplishment or place in the history of baseball. Sammy 
Sosa's success as a ball player and a citizen is a living testament to 
the possibilities that America can offer to anyone from any place or 
circumstance in the world.
  Born in the Dominican Republic, he lost his father at an early age, 
and the family struggled. Sammy demonstrated the American values of 
perseverance, hard work, and honesty by working as a shoeshine boy, 
washing cars and selling oranges to bring food to his mother and the 
rest of his family. The same circumstances led him to baseball.
  While he played early in his career for the Texas Rangers and the 
Chicago White Sox, he did not truly find his home until the White Sox 
traded him to the Cubs for George Bell. Bell played 2 years for the 
White Sox and hit 38 home runs before retiring. Since the trade, Sammy 
has hit 476 home runs for the Cubs. While we are proud of President 
Bush in so many different areas, the President of the United States has 
openly acknowledged that he believes one of the biggest mistakes he 
ever made was trading Sammy from the Texas Rangers when he was owner of 
that team.
  Sammy Sosa became a national figure during the home run race of the 
1998 season, which broadcaster Tim McCarver called ``the perfect 
season.'' Both Sosa and Mark McGwire assaulted the home run record of 
Roger Maris, which at that time had stood for 37 years and was widely 
believed to be unbreakable. McCarver astutely noted that not only Sosa 
and McGwire had pushed each other toward those accomplishments, but 
also that Sosa had understood that the race for the record was about 
far more than statistics.
  McCarver wrote the following: ``I think it was Sosa who made McGwire 
realize they could be ambassadors for the game.'' Sosa said, ``I like 
the fact that baseball is touching the fans in their hearts.'' As 
America watched, a genuine bond of respect and affection formed between 
the white, privileged, former USC student and the black Spanish-
speaking Sosa, who was so poor growing up in the Dominican Republic 
that he learned baseball while using rolled up socks for a ball, a milk 
carton for a glove, and a tree limb for a bat.
  McGwire and Sosa, McCarver continued, would not dignify questions 
about their home run race having racial overtones and the notion that 
some fans were favoring one over the other, based solely on skin color 
or heritage. They became each other's greatest champions. America had 
rarely seen such sportsmanship, brotherhood, humility and class wrapped 
in a competitive cocoon. McGwire and Sosa transcended sports and 
entered the national consciousness.
  Mr. Speaker, those are the values and contributions to America that 
we honor today in this resolution, which were also honored when Sammy 
Sosa stood in the gallery of this Chamber in 1999 to receive bipartisan 
praise and applause at the State of the Union address. He said in his 
autobiography, ``Here I was, once a humble kid from the Dominican 
Republic, and now the lawmakers of the United States were standing and 
applauding me in the halls of Congress. It was a great moment.''
  In addition to his civic leadership, Sammy is also widely recognized 
for his never-ending goodwill and good humor, such as when he sprints 
to his position at the beginning of every game at Wrigley Field and 
taps his heart for the fans in the right field bleachers.
  His is also a symbol for his native country, so much so that former 
Ambassador Bernardo Vega was quoted as saying, ``As far as I am 
concerned, he is the real Dominican ambassador. I just shuffle 
papers.'' But nothing speaks so eloquently to Sammy Sosa's 
contributions to both our culture and our sport as what he did during 
the Cubs' first game after the September 11 attacks when the Nation 
returned to baseball in a very small part of the national healing. 
Sammy Sosa hit a home run, and he carried a small American flag around 
the bases at Wrigley Field. I strongly encourage my colleagues to 
support the resolution.

                                                                   SAMMY SOSA PROFESSIONAL STATISTICS AND CAREER TRANSACTIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Year--Team                       Avg       G        AB       R        H        2B       3B       HR      RBI       SH       SF       HP       BB       SO       SB       CS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1986--Gulf Coast R..............................     .275       61      229       38       63    \1\19        1        4       28        0        2        0       22       51       11        3
1987--Gastonia-A................................     .279      129      519       73      145       27        4       11       59        0        3        5       21      123       22        8
1988--Charlotte, FL-A...........................     .229      131      507       70      116       13    \1\12        9       51        0        3        4       35      106       42       24
1989--Tulsa-AA..................................     .297       66      273       45       81       15        4        7       31        2        2        3       15       52       16       11
      Texas.....................................     .238       25       84        8       20        3        0        1        3        4        0        0        0       20        0        2
      Oklahoma City-AAA.........................     .103       10       39        2        4        2        0        0        3        0        0        0        2        8        4        7
      Vancouver-AAA.............................     .367       13       49        7       18        3        0        1        5        0        0        0        7        6        3        1

[[Page 13334]]

 
      Chicago (AL)..............................     .273       33       99       19       27        5        0        3       10        1        2        2       11       27        7        3
1990--Chicago (AL)..............................     .233      153      532       72      124       26       10       15       70        2        6        6       33      150       32       16
1991--Vancouver-AAA.............................     .267       32      116       19       31        7        2        3       19        0        3        1       17       32        9        3
      Chicago (AL)..............................     .203      116      316       39       64       10        1       10       33        5        1        2       14       98       13        6
1992--Iowa-AAA\3\...............................     .316        5       19        3        6        2        0        0        1        1        0        0        1        2        5        0
      Cubs......................................     .260       67      262       41       68        7        2        8       25        4        2        4       19       63       15        7
1993--Cubs......................................     .261      159      598       92      156       25        5       33       93        0        1        4       38      135       36       11
1994--Cubs......................................     .300      105      426       59      128       17        6       25       70        1        4        2       25       92       22       13
1995--Cubs......................................     .268   \2\144      564       89      151       17        3       36      119        0        2        5       58      134       34        7
1996--Cubs......................................     .273      124      498       84      136       21        2       40      100        0        4        5       34      134       18        5
1997--Cubs......................................     .251   \2\162      642       90      161       31        4       36      119        0        5        2       45      174       22       12
1998--Cubs......................................     .308      159      643   \1\134      198       20        0       66   \1\158        0        5        1       73      171       18        9
1999--Cubs......................................     .288   \2\162      625      114      180       24        2       63      141        0        6        3       78      171        7        8
2000--Cubs......................................     .320      156      604      106      193       38        1      *50      138        0        8        2       91      168        7        4
2001--Cubs......................................     .328      160      577   \1\146      189       34        5       64   \1\160        0       12        6      116      153        0        2
2002--Cubs......................................     .288      150      556   \1\122      160       19        2    \1\49      108        0        4        3      103      144        2        0
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      N.L./Cubs Totals..........................     .287    1,548    5,995    1,077    1,720      253       32      470    1,231        5       53       37      680    1,539      181       78
      A.L. Totals...............................     .228      327    1,031      138      235       44       11       29      116       12        9       10       58      295       52       27
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Major League Totals.......................     .278    1,875    7,026    1,215    1,955      297       43      499    1,347       17       62       47      738    1,834      233      105
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Led League.
\2\Tied for League lead.
\3\Injury Rehabilitation Assignment.
Last sacrifice bunt: 5/16/94 vs. San Diego. SLG: 2002, .594, M.L. Career, .546. OBP: 2002, .399, M.L. Career, .348.
1985--Signed as non-drafted free agent by Texas (scouts: Omar Minaya and Amado Dinzey). 1989--Traded to Chicago (AL) 7/29 with P Wilson Alvarez and IF Scott Fletcher for OF Harold Baines and
  IF Fred Manrique. 1992--Traded to Cubs 3/30 with P Ken Patterson for OF George Bell. 1992--On disabled list 6/13-7/27 . . . fractured right hand . . . included injury rehab assignment to
  Iowa (7/21-7/27). 1992--On disabled list 8/7-9/16 . . . fractured left ankle. 1996--On disabled list 8/21-10/2 . . . fractured right hand.


         SOSA AND THE RECORD BOOKS--THE 500-HOMER CLUB--PLUS ONE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Name                               No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1.  Hank Aaron..................................................    755
 2.  Babe Ruth...................................................    714
 3.  Willie Mays.................................................    660
 4.  Barry Bonds (46 in 2002)....................................    613
 5.  Frank Robinson..............................................    586
 6.  Mark McGwire................................................    583
 7.  Harmon Killebrew............................................    573
 8.  Reggie Jackson..............................................    563
 9.  Mike Schmidt................................................    548
10.  Mickey Mantle...............................................    536
11.  Jimmie Foxx.................................................    534
12.  Willie McCovey..............................................    521
     Ted Williams................................................    521
14.  Ernie Banks.................................................    512
     Eddie Matthews..............................................    512
16.  Mel Ott.....................................................    511
17.  Eddie Murray................................................    504
18.  SAMMY SOSA (49).............................................    499
------------------------------------------------------------------------

           MAJOR LEAGUE RECORDS HELD OR SHARED BY SAMMY SOSA

     Most 60-Homer Seasons: 3--1998, 1999, 2001
     Most 50-Homer Seasons: 4--1998-2001 (shared with Babe Ruth 
         1920-1921/1927-1928 and Mark McGwire 1996-1999)
     Most Consecutive 50-Homer Seasons: 4--1998-2001 (shared with 
         Mark McGwire 1996-1999)
     Most Homers, Five-Season Span: 292--1998-2002
     Most Homers, Six-Season Span: 328--1997-2002
     Most Homers, Seven-Season Span: 368--1996-2002
     Most Homers, Eight-Season Span: 404--1995-2002
     Most Homers, Nine-Season Span: 429--1994-2002
     Most Total Bases, Four-Season Span: 1,621--1998-2001
     Most 3-Homer Games, Career: 6--(shared with Johnny Mize)
     Most Multi-Homer Games, Season: 11--1998 (shared with Hank 
         Greenberg 1938)
     Most 3-Homer Games, Season: 3--2001
     Most Ballparks Homered In, Season: 18--1998 (shared with Mike 
         Piazza 2000)
     Most Extra-Base Hits, Right-Handed Batter, Season: 103--2001 
         (shared with Hank Greenberg 1937 and Albert Belle 1995)
     Most Intentional Walks, Right-Handed Batter, Season: 37--2001
     Most Homers, Any Month: 20--June 1998
     Most Homers, June: 20--1998
     Most Homers, October: 5--2001 (shared with Richie Sexson 
         2001)
     Most Homers, 30-Day Span: 21--5/26-6/23/98
     Most Homers, 10-Day Span: 9--5/25-6/7/98, 6/13-6/21/98
     Grand Slams, Consecutive Games: 7/27-7/28/98 (shared with 
         many)
     Most 3-Run Homers, Game: 3--8/10/02 (shared with Walker 
         Cooper 7/6/49)
     Homers In Three Consecutive Innings--8/10/02 (shared with 
         four others)
     Most Homers, Inning: 2--5/16/96 (shared with many)


  NATIONAL LEAGUE RECORDS HELD OR SHARED BY SAMMY SOSA--THE ABOVE PLUS

     Most Consecutive 40-Homer Seasons: 5--1998-2002 (shared with 
         Ralph Kiner 1947-1951 and Duke Snider 1953-1957)
     Most Consecutive 100-RBI Seasons: 8--1995-2002 (shared with 
         Mel Ott 1929-1936 and Willie Mays 1959-1966)
     Most 150-Plus RBI Seasons: 2--1998, 2001 (shared with Hack 
         Wilson 1929-1930)
     Most Homers, Three-Season Span: 179--1998-2000
     Most Homers, Four-Season Span: 243--1998-2001
     Most Homers, 10-Season Span: 462--1993-2002
     Most Homers, August: 17--2001 (shared with Willie Mays 1965)
     Most Homers, Consecutive Series: 15--1998
     Most Homers, Sunday-Saturday Calendar Week: 8--6/14-6/20/98 
         (shared with three others)
     Most RBI, Consecutive Games: 14--8/10-8/11/02


    CUBS RECORDS HELD OR SHARED BY SAMMY SOSA--ALL OF THE ABOVE PLUS

     Most 30-Homer Seasons: 9--1993, 1995-2002
     Most Multiple-Homer Games, Career: 57
     Most Homers, Season: 66--1998
     Most Extra-Base Hits, Season: 103--2001
     Most Total Bases, Season: 425--2001
     Highest Slugging Percentage, Season: .737--2001
     Most Homers, Wrigley Field, Season: 35--1998
     Most Homers, Road, Season: 31--1998
     Strikeouts, Career: 1,539
     Strikeouts, Season: 174--1997
     Consecutive-Game Homer Streak: 5 games--6/3-6/8/98 (shared 
         with two others)
     Homers, Three Consecutive Games: 5--6/19-6/21/98, 8/10-8/12/
         02 (shared with two others)
     Most Hits, Consecutive At-Bats: 9--6/30-7/2/93
     Most Hits, Game: 6--7/2/93 (shared with several)
     Most Homers, Game: 3--six times (shared with many)
     Most Homers, Inning: 2--5/16/96--7th (shared with Mark 
         Bellhorn 8/29/02--4th)
     Most RBI, Game: 9--8/10/02 (shared with Heinie Zimmerman 6/
         11/11)

                                                                              SOSA'S YEAR-BY-YEAR HOMER BREAKDOWNS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Year and team           Total     Home     Road      NL       AL      Solo     2-R      3-R       GS      2-HR     3-HR     4-HR     50+     40-49    30-39     RHP      LHP     Parks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1989  Texas...................        1        0        1        0        1        1        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        1        0        1
      White Sox...............        3        1        2        0        3        2        1        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        1        2        1
1990  White Sox...............       15       10        5        0       15        9        4        2        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        3       12        5
1991  White Sox...............       10        3        7        0       10        4        3        3        0        1        0        0        0        0        0        5        5        1
1992  Cubs....................        8        4        4        8        0        4        2        2        0        1        0        0        0        0        0        8        0        3
1993  Cubs....................       33       23       10       33        0       18       13        2        0        5        0        0        0        0        1       23       10        5
1994  Cubs....................       25       11       14       25        0       16        6        3        0        4        0        0        0        0        0       16        9        4
1995  Cubs....................       36       19       17       36        0       15       13        8        0        5        0        0        0        0        1       27        9        2
1996  Cubs....................       40       26       14       40        0       16       16        8        0        4        1        0        0        1        0       32        8        1
1997  Cubs....................       36       25       11       36        0       19       13        4        0        1        0        0        0        0        1       24       12        0
1998  Cubs....................       66       35       31       66        0       37       19        7        3       10        1        0        1        0        0       54       12        3
1999  Cubs....................       63       33       30       63        0       36       18        9        0        6        0        0        1        0        0       45       18        0
2000  Cubs....................       50       22       28       50        0       25       12       12        1        5        0        0        1        0        0       42        8        3
2001  Cubs....................       64       34       30       64        0       36       21        5        2        7        3        0        1        0        0       51       13        3
2002  Cubs....................       49       24       25       49        0       26       15        7        1        3        1        0        0        1        0       38       11        1
                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Totals..................      499      270      229      470       29      264      156       72        7       52        6        0        4        2        3      370      129       37
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 13335]]


                                                                SOSA HOMER-BY-HOMER--1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       HR#              Date               Game             Opponent           Pitcher             Inning               Type               Direction
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        1                4/4                 5         Montreal.........  Marc Valdes......                 3                  Solo                  RF
        2                4/11               11         @Montreal........  Anthony Telford..                 7                  Solo                  RF
        3                4/15               14         @New York........  Dennis Cook......                 8                  Solo                  LF
        4                4/23               21         San Diego........  Dan Miceli.......                 9                  Solo                    CF
        5                4/24               22         @Los Angeles.....  Ismael Valdes....                 1                  Solo                    CF
        6                4/27               25         @San Diego.......  Joey Hamilton....                 1                 2-run                    CF
        7                5/3                30         St. Louis........  Cliff Politte....                 1                  Solo                  LF
        8                5/16               42         @Cincinnati......  Scott Sullivan...                 3                 3-run                    CF
        9                5/22               47         @Atlanta.........  Greg Maddox......                 1                  Solo                    CF
       10                5/25               50         @Atlanta.........  Kevin Millwood...                 4                  Solo                  RF
       11                5/25               50         @Atlanta.........  Mike Cather......                 8                 3-run                    CF
       12                5/27               51         Philadelphia.....  Darrin Winston...                 8                  Solo                  LF
       13                5/27               51         Philadelphia.....  Wayne Gomes......                 9                 2-run                  LF
       14                6/1                56         Florida..........  Ryan Dempster....                 1                 2-run                  LF
       15                6/1                56         Florida..........  Oscar Henriquez..                 8                 3-run                    CF
       16                6/3                58         Florida..........  Livan Hernandez..                 5                 2-run                  LF
       17                6/5                59         White Sox........  Jim Parque.......                 5                 2-run                  RF
       18                6/6                60         White Sox........  Carlos Castillo..                 7                  Solo                    CF
       19                6/7                61         White Sox........  James Baldwin....                 5                 3-run                    CF
       20                6/8                62         @Minnesota.......  LaTroy Hawkins...                 3                  Solo                  RF
       21                6/13               66         @Philadelphia....  Mark Portugal....                 6                 2-run                  RF
       22                6/15               68         Milwaukee........  Cal Eldred.......                 1                  Solo                  RF
       23                6/15               68         Milwaukee........  Cal Eldred.......                 3                  Solo                  LF
       24                6/15               68         Milwaukee........  Cal Eldred.......                 7                  Solo                    CF
       25                6/17               70         Milwaukee........  Bronswell Patrick                 4                  Solo                  LF
       26                6/19               72         Philadelphia.....  Carlton Loewer...                 1                  Solo                  LF
       27                6/19               72         Philadelphia.....  Carlton Loewer...                 5                 2-run                  LF
       28                6/20               73         Philadelphia.....  Matt Beech.......                 3                 2-run                  LF
       29                6/20               73         Philadelphia.....  Toby Borland.....                 6                 3-run                  LF
       30                6/21               74         Philadelphia.....  Tyler Green......                 4                  Solo                  RF
       31                6/24               77         @Detroit.........  Seth Greisinger..                 1                  Solo                  LF
       32                6/25               78         @Detroit.........  Brian Moehler....                 7                  Solo                  RF
       33                6/30               82         Arizona..........  Alan Embree......                 8                  Solo                  LF
       34                7/9                88         @Milwaukee.......  Jeff Juden.......                 2                 2-run                    CF
       35                7/10               89         @Milwaukee.......  Scott Karl.......                 2                  Solo                  LF
       36                7/17               95         @Florida.........  Kirt Ojala.......                 6                 2-run                    CF
       37                7/22              100         Montreal.........  Miguel Batista...                 8                 3-run                  RF
       38                7/26              105         New York.........  Rick Reed........                 6                 2-run                    CF
       39                7/27              106         @Arizona.........  Willie Blair.....                 6                 2-run                  RF
       40                7/27              106         @Arizona.........  Alan Embree......                 8            Grand Slam                    CF
       41                7/28              107         @Arizona.........  Bob Wolcott......                 5            Grand Slam                  LF
       42                7/31              110         Colorado.........  Jamey Wright.....                 1                  Solo                  RF
       43                8/5               115         Arizona..........  Andy Benes.......                 3                 2-run                  LF
       44                8/8               117         @St. Louis.......  Rick Croushore...                 9                 2-run                  LF
       45                8/10              119         @San Francisco...  Russ Ortiz.......                 5                  Solo                  LF
       46                8/10              119         @San Francisco...  Chris Brock......                 7                  Solo                    CF
       47                8/16              124         @Houston.........  Sean Bergman.....                 4                  Solo                  RF
       48                8/19              126         St. Louis........  Kent Bottenfield.                 5                 2-run                  LF
       49                8/21              128         San Francisco....  Orel Hershiser...                 5                 2-run                    CF
       50                8/23              130         Houston..........  Jose Lima........                 5                  Solo                  LF
       51                8/23              130         Houston..........  Jose Lima........                 8                  Solo                  LF
       52                8/26              133         @Cincinnati......  Brett Tomko......                 3                  Solo                  LF
       53                8/28              135         @Colorado........  John Thomson.....                 1                  Solo                  RF
       54                8/30              137         @Colorado........  Darryl Kile......                 1                 2-run                  LF
       55                8/31              138         Cincinnati.......  Brett Tomko......                 3                 2-run                  LF
    \1\56                9/2               140         Cincinnati.......  Jason Bere.......                 6                  Solo                  RF
       57                9/4               141         @Pittsburgh......  Jason Schmidt....                 1                  Solo                  RF
       58                9/5               142         @Pittsburgh......  Sean Lawrence....                 6                  Solo                  RF
       59                9/11              148         Milwaukee........  Bill Pulsipher...                 5                  Solo                  RF
    \2\60                9/12              149         Milwaukee........  Valerio De Los                    7                 3-run                  LF
                                                                           Santos.
    \3\61                9/13              150         Milwaukee........  Bronswell Patrick                 5                 2-run                  LF
       62                9/13              150         Milwaukee........  Eric Plunk.......                 9                  Solo                  LF
       63                9/16              153         @San Diego.......  Brian Boehringer.                 8            Grand Slam                  LF
       64                9/23              159         @Milwaukee.......  Rafael Roque.....                 5                  Solo                  RF
       65                9/23              159         @Milwaukee.......  Rod Henderson....                 6                  Solo                    CF
       66                9/25              160         @Houston.........  Jose Lima........                 4                  Solo                  LF
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\56--tied Hack Wilson's 1930 club record (Wilson hit his 56th homer in the Cubs' 153rd game).
\2\60--tied Babe Ruth's 1927 total (Ruth hit his 60th homer in the Yankees' 154th game).
\3\61--tied Roger Maris' 1961 total (Maris hit his 61st homer in the Yankees' 163rd game).

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Indiana 
(Mr. Souder) in consideration of H. Res. 195, a bill congratulating 
Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs for hitting 500 major league home runs.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez), the author of this legislation.
  Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, the resolution we are considering today, 
H. Res. 195, congratulates the Chicago Cubs' Sammy Sosa for reaching a 
major milestone in his remarkable and outstanding career.
  On Friday, April 4, against the Cincinnati Reds, Sammy Sosa made 
baseball history during the top of the seventh inning when he drove a 
fastball over the right field fence. As he stepped on home plate, index 
fingers pointed at the sky, he also was stepping into some very select 
and special company.
  With that historic home run, Sammy became the 18th player in major 
league history to hit 500 home runs and the first Latino to break the 
magical mark. His name will be etched alongside baseball legends Hank 
Aaron, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Mel Ott, and Ernie Banks.
  Mr. Speaker, sports writer Ralph Wiley wrote that ``The home run 
remains the American sporting accomplishment and expression, combining 
nearly everything we admire: lightning-quick strike, power and, above 
all, great spectacle, a sustained visual effect in one beautiful arc of 
life.'' It brings us to our feet, howling and high-fiving total 
strangers. We admire and are in awe of the individuals with the power 
and precision to hit home runs. And the notion of hitting 500 home runs 
remains one of the most impressive and most difficult accomplishments 
in sports.
  It immediately conjures up images of baseball legends and of history, 
and for the select few who achieve this amazing and astounding feat, it 
truly exemplifies and embodies their enduring excellence.
  With his 500th home run, Sammy will forever be associated with 
baseball greats and has permanently secured his place in the record 
books, but he is so much more than just one remarkable and incredible 
accomplishment. Time and time again, Sammy has proven on and off the 
field to be a source of pride, joy and jubilation for all the residents 
of the Dominican Republic, as well as all Latin Americans and all 
immigrants to the United States from around the globe.

[[Page 13336]]

  His story is so familiar and so hopeful for so many immigrants in 
this country, men and women who, like Sammy, come to the United States 
to work hard, to provide for their families and loved ones, so that 
they, too, can live a better and safer life.
  And that, in addition to his 500 home runs, is why this resolution is 
so important, deserving and justified. Throughout history people have 
associated baseball with the strengths of American culture and equated 
the game with the best of our country's character and resolve.
  At no time was this more evident than after the tragedy of September 
11. Across the United States, ballparks hosted moving and emotional 
tributes to the fallen heroes of that dreadful and heart-wrenching day. 
And perhaps no image was more poignant or more touching than Sammy Sosa 
running the bases waving an American flag after hitting a home run.
  Sometimes I believe it takes someone born elsewhere to sum up the 
most patriotic and powerful sentiments of our great Nation. No one 
loves and respects and admires America, their community or their 
profession more than Sammy Sosa.

                              {time}  1430

  Roberto Clemente once said, ``When I put on my uniform, I feel I am 
the proudest man on Earth.'' Sammy has approached the game with that 
same passion and purpose, with that same excitement and enthusiasm. And 
in doing so, he has shown us just how potent the combination of 
discipline and dedication and desire can be. I think the comparison 
between Sammy and Roberto Clemente is fitting and appropriate. Roberto 
Clemente was such a model, such an example and such an inspiration to 
so many people; and Sammy instills and encourages that same desire and 
dedication, that same commitment to be better, to reach higher, to 
succeed despite the odds.
  From his first home run off Roger Clemens in 1989 to today, Sammy has 
awed us with his ability and athletic prowess on the field and his 
dignity and selflessness off the field. He has embodied the team 
spirit, talent, exuberance, and determination that we associate with 
the very best qualities of sports. He has been able to do so under the 
most intense media scrutiny and public attention.
  Throughout his record-breaking career, Sammy has consistently 
conducted himself with a level of modesty and humility that has been a 
source of motivation to people around the world. After his historic 
500th home run, the standing ovations and the praise and accolades, 
Sammy stated, ``I'm very happy, very blessed. I've been working hard 
all my life to be where I am.''
  Mr. Speaker, it is all of us that I believe are blessed. We are 
blessed to have men and women like Mr. Sosa to inspire our imaginations 
and to encourage us to make the most of our ambitions and our 
aspirations. From the child finding safety and sanctuary in a game of 
stickball in the heart of the inner city, to the dusty little league 
field in our most desolate and isolated countryside, countless young 
men and women can look at Sammy's accomplishments, at his fervor, and 
at his fortitude and say, I too can achieve, I too can dream, and I too 
can overcome obstacles. I too can break down barriers on the playing 
field, in the classroom, and indeed in life.
  So today, Mr. Speaker, it is with great reverence and great respect 
that I say thank you, Sammy. Thank you for tearing down barriers for 
Latinos around the world. Thank you for being a role model and an 
inspiration; and thank you for letting us dream as big as our hearts 
will allow. And congratulations on this magnificent and memorable 
achievement. We look forward to another 500 home runs.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  As we have just heard, Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs entered the 
1998 baseball season as a relatively unknown player. That is, until his 
riveting race with Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals for the 
Major League single-season home run record. In 1998, Sosa finished 
second to McGwire with 66 home runs, five more than the previous 
record.
  Sammy Sosa was born in the Dominican Republic in 1968. His mother 
raised him, his four brothers and two sisters after her husband died. 
Sosa recalls, ``We were poor. We definitely were poor.'' Sosa sold 
oranges for 10 cents, shined shoes for 25 cents, and worked as a 
janitor in a shoe factory to help with the family's finances.
  In the spring of 1986, Sosa, who did not know how to speak English, 
came to the United States for the first time. Within 3 years, he was 
playing in the major leagues, appearing in 25 games for the Rangers in 
1989, batting .238. Later that year, Texas traded Sosa to the Chicago 
White Sox. In 1992, the White Sox traded Sosa to the Cubs. I do not 
know why they did that. The White Sox are in my district and the Cubs 
are not; and perhaps had the White Sox not traded Sosa, their fortunes 
would have been even greater. But the rest is history in the making. On 
April 4, Sosa hit the 500th home run of his career, making him only the 
18th player in Major League history to reach the mark and the first 
Latino to accomplish this outstanding feat.
  He is indeed in the select company of great home run hitters, which 
includes Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Mel Ott, 
and fellow Cub Ernie Banks. Sammy Sosa is indeed a source of pride for 
his native country and is an inspiration to all Americans that with 
hard work and commitment, anything is possible. He demonstrates that it 
is not always so important where you come from in life, but what is 
really important is where you are going. He has gone to the top and is 
still climbing.
  I join with my colleagues in commending and congratulating him.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to again thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez) for 
introducing this important legislation. I have to admit it has not been 
the easiest bill for me to handle. I have a Heartland statue of 
longtime Mr. Cub Ernie Banks in my office; my father was a Cubs fan; my 
former boss, House Member and Senator Dan Coats was such a Cubs fan 
that on the second day of his honeymoon he went to a Cubs game; and my 
subcommittee staff director, Chris Donesa, is not only a Cubs fan and 
fanatic, he is a Sammy Sosa fanatic. But I am a White Sox fan like my 
colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis); and it is not 
without a little heartburn that we are paying such tribute, because if 
he were in the White Sox outfield today, we might be national 
champions. I hope the Cubs can do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this measure.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 195, a resolution 
to congratulate Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs for hitting 500 major 
league home runs.
  I am proud to honor Sammy because he embodies the Latino values of 
family, hard work, and perseverance, and for being a great role model 
for all children, Latino and non-Latino alike.
  Sammy has overcome tremendous obstacles to achieve greatness. He was 
born the fifth of seven children in a poor family. When his father 
died, Sammy was only seven and he had to support his family by selling 
orange juice and shining shoes to help his family keep food on the 
table.
  He learned baseball like most kids in his poverty-stricken 
neighborhood, fielding with gloves made out of milk cartons, batting 
with a tree branch, and hitting a tightly rolled and taped sock. Who 
knew that he would grow up to be the baseball star that he his today?
  Sammy demonstrates what we can do when we try hard enough. Despite 
being sent back to the minors several times, he worked hard to improve 
himself. In 1989, he batted .238 and only hit 2 home runs in 84 turns 
at bat. But just four years later, he showed us that hard work pays off 
when he hit 33 home runs, 93 RBI's and made the All-Star Team.
  Today we congratulate Sammy Sosa not only for being a great ball 
player or for his great story of personal triumph, but we also give 
tribute to him as a humanitarian. In 1998, he worked with Red Cross to 
send those suffering from Hurricane Georges 60,000 pounds of rice and 
beans and barrels of potable

[[Page 13337]]

 water. He helped rebuild countless homes with his financial 
assistance. Moved by the suffering in his homeland, he created a 
charitable foundation to further the education and health of poor 
children in his native land of the Dominican Republic and in his new 
home, the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, for these reasons I stand in strong support of this 
resolution. We must congratulate Sammy for what he is--a model of hard 
work and perseverance first, a distinguished humanitarian second and a 
stellar baseball player third.
  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
195, Commemorating the 500th Major League Home run, by the great Sammy 
Sosa of our Chicago Cubs.
  With his blast on April 4, 2003 against the Cincinnati Reds at the 
Great American Ball Park, Sammy joined one of the most exclusive in 
baseball history, becoming only the 18th player to join the 500 home 
run club. This club includes such legends as Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, and 
Chicago's own Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks.
  While proudly representing his beloved native Dominican Republic, 
Sammy Sosa has become as much a part of Chicago as the stuffed pizza 
and Navy Pier. His pride in his native roots is but one example of the 
cultural diversity that makes Chicago the great city it is.
  The bat that Sammy used to hit his 500th home run is now on display 
at Chicago's Field Museum as part of the National Baseball Hall of 
Fame's roving exhibit, Baseball As America exhibit. I urge all 
Chicagoans to visit this celebration of how baseball has been woven 
into the fabric of our nation's history.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Gutierrez and my other colleagues 
for introducing this resolution and bringing it to the floor today. I 
applaud the first place Cubs and wish them luck this weekend against 
the New York Yankees, in the Yankees first visit to Wrigley Field since 
the 1938 World Series. And I wish Sammy luck against Roger Clemens on 
Saturday, whom Sammy hit his home run off of in 1989. For these 
reasons, I strongly encourage my colleagues to vote for H. Res. 195.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 195.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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