[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 25306]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           CUBS' FAN SALUTES HIS NORTH CAROLINA CONSTITUENTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Porter). Pursuant to the order of the 
House of January 7, 2003, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble) 
is recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I want to revisit the recently concluded 
American and National League Championship Series. I represent neither 
Boston, New York, Florida, nor Chicago; but I do have a direct interest 
in that two of the managers in the aforementioned series are my 
constituents in North Carolina's Sixth Congressional District. Manager 
Jack McKeon of the Florida Marlins calls Alamance County his home while 
Boston Red Sox skipper Grady Little hangs his hat in Moore County, 
known to many Americans as America's golf capital.
  I am a long-time Cubs fan, Mr. Speaker, but I compromise my Cubs' 
loyalty in favor of my constituent Mr. McKeon. And speaking of the 
Cubs, I hope the Chicago fans will permit the beleaguered left field 
fan who is now internationally known to become the beneficiary of 
goodwill in lieu of hostility. Steve Bartman, by his own admission, is 
a true-blue solid Cubs fan. An isolated ill-fated attempt to retrieve a 
foul ball does not a seven-game series make or break. Other 
circumstances as well contributed to the Cubs' elimination; so cut 
Steve Bartman some slack.
  While my love for the Cubs caused me some anxiety while cheering for 
the Marlins, I felt no such discomfort while I was supporting Grady 
Little and his Bosox, since I am not a Yankee fan.
  Mr. Speaker, permit me to focus on the World Series. Strike that. 
Permit me to focus on the 2004 World Series. Not unlike many American 
baseball fans, it is my hope that the Red Sox and the Cubs will square 
off in that series. Even then I may be forced again to relegate my 
Cubs' loyalty to the shelf in favor of Grady Little. Constituency 
loyalty, Mr. Speaker, runs deeper and closer to the heart than does 
baseball loyalty.
  Finally, I extend my best wishes to Trader Jack McKeon and his 
Marlins as they attempt to conquer the Yankees. If this series, 
unfortunately, results in the Yanks prevailing, I will reluctantly tip 
my hat to them and to my New York colleagues who serve here in the 
people's House with me. Insufferable fans though they are, on balance 
they are pretty good folks. Meanwhile, go Marlins.

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