[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Pages 26254-26255]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    COMMENDING THE FLORIDA MARLINS FOR WINNING THE 2003 WORLD SERIES

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 254 submitted earlier 
today by Senators Nelson and Graham of Florida.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 254) commending the Florida Marlins 
     baseball team for winning the 2003 World Series.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. GRAHAM of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
Florida Marlins for their outstanding victory in the 2003 World Series. 
The Marlins, under the leadership of their Managing General Partner 
Jeffrey Loria, General Manager Larry Beinfest and Manager Jack McKeon, 
defeated the 26-time World Champion New York Yankees to garner their 
second World Championship in only their 10th year of existence.
  With their combination of youthful energy and veteran experience, the 
Marlins were able to defeat the defending National League Champion San 
Francisco Giants in four games in the divisional series before coming 
back from a three games-to-one deficit to defeat the Chicago Cubs in 
seven games to win the National League Pennant. Led by the enthusiastic 
leadership of veteran catcher Ivan Rodriguez and the pitching of 
budding superstar Josh Beckett, the Marlins have a bright future ahead 
of them.
  Floridians from Key West to Pensacola were riveted by the Marlins 
comeback style and gritty determination as they watched their home team 
defeat three of baseball's most storied franchises on their way to the 
championship. As a silence fell over the boroughs of New York City, a 
party of historic proportions broke out in my home state as our team 
emerged from the dugout to celebrate its second championship.
  The Florida Marlins continue to be a source of pride for residents of 
the Sunshine State and this year's team, so

[[Page 26255]]

often faced with adversity, stood as a fine representative of all that 
our great state has to offer.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to urge passage of 
a resolution sponsored by Senator Graham and myself commending the 
Florida Marlins for winning the 2003 World Series.
  In their 10th anniversary season the Marlins have once again reached 
the pinnacle of baseball. They provided us with a magical season many 
in Florida and elsewhere won't soon forget. They started the season 
with little fanfare and low expectations, and they struggled at first 
with a losing record. And just when things seemed as if they couldn't 
get any worse, they lost their manager. For many the Marlins' early 
misfortunes signaled another losing season.
  But on May 23, the team began a magical run that culminated in a 
World Series title over the storied New York Yankees. During this 
remarkable stretch, they compiled the best record in baseball, earned a 
wild-card playoff spot, upset the heavily favored San Francisco Giants 
in the Division series, shocked the Chicago Cubs by rebounding from a 
three-games-to-one deficit to win the National League Championship and 
became the first opposing team to capture a World Series title in 
Yankee Stadium in 22 years.
  During their season, and especially the playoffs, the Marlins 
confidently believed in their abilities and their play made believers 
out of many all along the way. If nothing else, their season 
illustrates for everyone a lesson we all should heed--never give up. We 
offer congratulations to all members of the Florida Marlins 
organization and to their fans in South Florida.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution and preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be 
printed in the Record, without intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 254) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 254

       Whereas on October 25, 2003, the Florida Marlins defeated 
     the New York Yankees, 2 to 0, in Game 6 of the World Series, 
     to capture their second World Series title in the 11 seasons 
     of the franchise;
       Whereas the Florida Marlins became the first visiting team 
     to celebrate a World Series championship in Yankee Stadium 
     since the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981;
       Whereas under the leadership of manager Jack McKeon, 
     general manager Larry Beinfest, and team owner Jeffrey Loria, 
     the Marlins compiled the best record in baseball since May 
     23, 2003, becoming only the ninth team in Major League 
     Baseball history to rebound from at least 10 games under .500 
     to reach the playoffs;
       Whereas each player, manager, coach, trainer, and 
     administrator of the Florida Marlins contributed to a magical 
     turnaround that resulted in the Florida Marlins reaching the 
     pinnacle of the sport, a World Series Championship;
       Whereas the manager of the Florida Marlins, Jack McKeon, 
     became the oldest manager in Major League Baseball history to 
     win the World Series, and led Florida to the title after 
     joining the team in May of 2003;
       Whereas Florida Marlins pitcher Josh Beckett was named 
     World Series Most Valuable Player, after pitching a complete 
     game, 5 hit shutout, on 3 days rest in Yankee Stadium during 
     Game 6 of the World Series;
       Whereas young stars like Miguel Cabrera, Juan Pierre, and 
     Luis Castillo combined with established veterans like Ivan 
     Rodriguez and Jeff Conine to produce an exciting, never-say-
     die team that won over fans around the country during an 
     unexpected march to the World Series;
       Whereas the Florida Marlins upset the San Francisco Giants 
     in 4 games to win the Division Series, then stunned the 
     Chicago Cubs by coming back from a 3 games to 1 deficit to 
     win the National League Championship Series in 7 games; and
       Whereas fans of the Florida Marlins and the South Florida 
     community demonstrated commendable team support and pride: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Florida Marlins for winning the 2003 
     World Series;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, 
     and support staff who were instrumental in securing a second 
     World Series title for the Florida Marlins;
       (3) commends the support and pride of the fans of the 
     Florida Marlins; and
       (4) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit for 
     appropriate display an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) the owner of the Florida Marlins, Jeffrey Loria;
       (B) the general manager of the Florida Marlins, Larry 
     Beinfest;
       (C) the manager of the Florida Marlins, Jack McKeon; and
       (D) each player and coach of the 2003 World Series Champion 
     Florida Marlins baseball team.

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