[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[House]
[Pages 26346-26350]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE FLORIDA MARLINS FOR WINNING THE 2003 WORLD SERIES

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 415) congratulating the Florida Marlins for 
winning the 2003 World Series.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 415

       Whereas Pro Player Stadium, located in the City of Miami 
     Gardens and Miami-Dade County, is the home field for the 
     Florida Marlins;
       Whereas Major League Baseball is celebrating the 100th 
     anniversary of the World Series this year;
       Whereas on October 25, 2003, the Florida Marlins won the 
     2003 World Series in a six game series;
       Whereas by defeating an excellent New York Yankees team--
     the American League Champions and the latest team in a 
     storied franchise which, with 26 World Series victories, 
     dominated professional baseball's first 100 years--the 
     Florida Marlins have captured their second World Series title 
     in the brief ten year history of the team;
       Whereas, during the World Series, Marlins pitcher Josh 
     Beckett struck out 19 Yankee batters in two games, maintained 
     a 1.10 earned run average, including a 2-0 shutout during the 
     crucial 6th game, and was named the 2003 World Series Most 
     Valuable Player;
       Whereas the Marlins won 91 games during the regular season 
     to earn a playoff berth by clinching the National League Wild 
     Card slot;
       Whereas the Marlins have never lost a post-season series;
       Whereas the Marlins defeated the Western Division Champion 
     and defending National League Champion San Francisco Giants 
     in the National League Divisional Series;
       Whereas the Marlins defeated the Central Division Champion 
     Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series;
       Whereas, during the National League Championship Series, 
     Marlins catcher Ivan Rodriguez batted .321 with 2 home runs 
     and ten runs batted in while playing stellar defense, and was 
     named the 2003 National League Championship Series Most 
     Valuable Player;
       Whereas the Marlins team of skilled players, including Josh 
     Beckett, Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Pierre, Jeff Conine, Mike 
     Lowell, Luis Castillo, Alex Gonzalez, Miguel Cabrera, Derek 
     Lee, Juan Encarnacion, Brad Penny, Carl Pavano, Mark Redman, 
     Dontrelle Willis, Ugueth Urbina, Braden Looper, Chad Fox, 
     Michael Tejera, Nate Bump, Rick Helling, Mike Redmond, Brian 
     Banks, Lenny Harris, Mike Mordecai, Todd Hollandsworth, 
     Armando Almanza, Toby Borland, Blaine Neal, Kevin Olsen, 
     Tommy Phelps, Tim Spooneybarger, Justin Wayne, Ramon Castro, 
     Josh Willingham, Andy Fox, Kevin Hooper, Jesus Medrano, 
     Wilson Valdez, Josh Wilson, Chad Allen, Chip Ambres, Abraham 
     Nunez, Gerald Williams, and A.J. Burnett, contributed 
     extraordinary performances during the regular season, the 
     playoffs, and the World Series;
       Whereas Manager Jack McKeon, who was hired on May 11, 2003, 
     provided strong and wise leadership and bold strategy for a 
     young and resilient baseball team during the regular season 
     and in the postseason and, in the words of one columnist, ``. 
     . . recapture[d] much of what baseball once was, how tangy it 
     tasted, what a field of honor it celebrated and how its 
     central emotion should be joy'';
       Whereas the Marlins coaching and support staff, which 
     included Pitching Coach Wayne Rosenthal, Bench Coach Doug 
     Davis, Hitting Coach Bill Robinson, First Base and Infield 
     Coach Perry Hill, Third Base Coach Ozzie Guillen, Bullpen 
     Coaches Pierre Arsenault and Jeff Cox, Team Physician Dr. 
     Daniel

[[Page 26347]]

     Kanell, Trainer Sean Cunningham, Assistant Trainer Mike 
     Kozak, Equipment Manager John Silverman, Assistant Equipment 
     Manager Mark Brown, Visiting Clubhouse Manager Bryan 
     Greenberg, Clubhouse Attendant and Umpire's Room Assistant 
     Michael Hughes, and Visiting Clubhouse Assistant Michael 
     King, exhibited exemplary leadership and guidance to the 
     team;
       Whereas Jeffrey Loria purchased the Florida Marlins 
     franchise on February 12, 2002, and stated: ``Our goal is to 
     restore the organization to championship form.'';
       Whereas Jeffrey Loria, Chairman, CEO, and Managing General 
     Partner of the Florida Marlins, David Samson, President of 
     the Florida Marlins, and Larry Beinfest, Senior Vice 
     President and General Manager of the Florida Marlins, have 
     shown a positive commitment to the Marlins franchise by 
     successfully acquiring, assembling, and maintaining a team of 
     high-quality, winning players;
       Whereas the dedicated Marlins fans supported their team 
     with joy and enthusiasm; and
       Whereas the Marlins captivated the United States with their 
     ``never-say-die'' playing style during this historic 
     performance: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates--
       (A) the Florida Marlins for winning the 2003 Major League 
     Baseball World Series championship and for their outstanding 
     performance during the 2003 Major League Baseball season; and
       (B) Florida Marlins pitcher Josh Beckett for winning the 
     2003 World Series Most Valuable Player Award;
       (2) recognizes and praises the achievements of the Marlins 
     players, coaches, management, and support staff whose hard 
     work, dedication, and resiliency proved instrumental 
     throughout their World Series Championship Season;
       (3) commends the Florida community and the Marlins fans for 
     their dedication; and
       (4) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) the Marlins players;
       (B) Marlins Manager Jack McKeon;
       (C) Marlins Chairman, CEO, and Managing General Partner 
     Jeffrey Loria;
       (D) Marlins President David Samson;
       (E) Marlins Senior Vice President and General Manager Larry 
     Beinfest;
       (F) the Marlins Coaches;
       (G) The Honorable Shirley Gibson, Mayor of the City of 
     Miami Gardens, Florida;
       (H) The Honorable Manny Diaz, Mayor of the City of Miami, 
     Florida;
       (I) The Honorable Alex Penelas, Mayor of Miami-Dade County, 
     Florida; and
       (J) The Honorable Jeb Bush, Governor of the State of 
     Florida.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).


                             General Leave

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the Florida Marlins are World Series champions, again. 
``The Fish,'' as they are affectionately known in our hometown, this 
low-budget baseball team that plays in a football stadium, amazed the 
sports world by defeating the New York Yankees in the World Series on 
Saturday night.
  Who would have expected the Marlins, in only their 11th year of 
existence, after starting the year with only 19 wins in their first 48 
games, after firing their manager in May, that they would rebound to 
win their second World Series in the last 7 years. But it was not easy. 
The Marlins' road to the championship was nearly as bumpy as it was 
unexpected.
  When the Marlins struggled early in the season, many commentators 
speculated that the season was hopeless and that the team would soon 
unload many of their veteran players to save money for the future. 
Instead, the Marlins did the opposite, aggressively acquiring key 
players midway through the summer who proved integral to their eventual 
championship run. Under the direction of new manager Jack McKeon, the 
Marlins turned it around and began winning. The Marlins finished the 
season with a relatively astonishing record of 91 wins and 71 losses, 
and earned the wild card berth in the National League.
  In the first round of the playoffs, the Marlins were slated to take 
on the most feared slugger in baseball, Barry Bonds, and the defending 
National League champions, the San Francisco Giants. After dropping 
game one, the Marlins defeated the Giants in three straight games to 
win the series. Who could forget Jeff Conine's clutch throw from left 
field to catcher Ivan Rodriguez for the final out in game 4 that 
clinched the series.
  In the League Championship Series, fate seemed to challenge the 
Marlins as much as their opponents, as the Marlins squared off against 
the Chicago Cubs. The red-hot Cubs, who had not even advanced to the 
World Series since 1945, seemed to have a date with destiny as they 
took a 3-games-to-1 lead on the Marlins in the best-of-7 series. 
Incredibly, the Marlins again bounced back to win three straight games 
and the last two in Chicago to defeat the Cubs in this unforgettable 
classic.
  The unlikely Marlins advanced to the World Series to play the giants 
of baseball, the New York Yankees. Just like during the regular season, 
and the two previous playoff series as well, no one besides the Marlins 
themselves and their fans believed they had a chance. Once more, the 
Marlins fell behind in the series; this time the Yankees captured a 2-
games-to-1 advantage. But remarkably, the Marlins were not to be 
denied. Paced by their pitching ace, World Series Most Valuable Player 
Josh Beckett, they triumphed in three consecutive games to win a series 
for the third time. The entire baseball world was stunned as the 
Florida Marlins became the World Series champions.
  The standouts on this Marlins team were many during the season and 
through the playoffs, and it seemed like a different player excelled 
each game. Catcher Ivan Rodriguez seemed to always deliver timely hits 
and great defense. Pitchers Josh Beckett, Mark Redman, Dontrelle 
Willis, Carl Pavano, and Brad Penny provided underrated performances 
all year long, and 20-year-old Miguel Cabrera was called up from the 
minor leagues in mid-June and was one of the most valuable hitters down 
the stretch; and their double-play combination of Alex Gonzalez and 
Luis Castillo was perhaps the league's best.
  And we must certainly recognize the manager, Jack McKeon, a man who 
took over the struggling team midway through the year and led them all 
the way to a World Series crown. Jack kept the Marlins from unraveling 
early and motivated them to reach unthinkable heights.
  Mr. Speaker, this was the Marlins' second world championship in their 
short history. It is important to note that the Marlins have never lost 
a playoff series, winning all six in which they have played.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a cosponsor of House Resolution 415, 
and I strongly support its speedy adoption. I commend both of my 
colleagues, the gentleman from Miami, Florida (Mr. Meek), as well as 
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart), for introducing 
this timely measure. I congratulate the Florida Marlins for their 
unforgettable season.
  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, the Chicago Bears, Bulls, White Sox and Black Hawks are 
all in my congressional district; but today, they take a back seat to 
the Marlins.
  Inspiration is what we call this. That is the best way to describe 
the Florida Marlins, who rose from the ashes, going from 10 games under 
500 on May 22 to winning the 2003 World Series.

                              {time}  1515

  The road to the World Series title was grueling and draining. The 
Marlins had to get by Barry Bonds and Company, the Giants, in the 
division series.

[[Page 26348]]

Then after trailing 3-1 to the Cubs, again the Marlins came through, 
beating Mark Prior and Kerry Wood in back-to-back victories at Wrigley 
Field, sending Dusty Baker and the Cubs back into hibernation, saying 
wait until next year.
  Then the Marlins, who captured the World Series in 1997, won the 
final three games against the Yankees. They kept their streak intact of 
never losing a series in the postseason with the help of a 23-year-old 
right-hander who dominated the playoffs. Josh Beckett threw a five-hit 
shutout, with nine strikeouts, to clench the World Series with a 2-0 
victory over the Yankees in Game 6. Beckett was subsequently named the 
series Most Valuable Player.
  Marlin's manager Jack McKeon said of Beckett, ``Whether it is 3 days 
or 4 days, guys have a tendency to lose a little, but this guy is 
special. This guy has got the guts of a burglar. He is mentally tough. 
I was not about to take him out. It is a spectacular job for a 23-year-
old kid that has come on and matured in the postseason. And you are 
looking at a possible All-Star next year and a 20-game winner. This guy 
is going to be something special,'' end of quote.
  In the 100th World Series game played at Yankee Stadium on the 100th 
anniversary of the first World Series, another team got to celebrate on 
the field other than the 26-time champions. I am sure that that was not 
only an inspiration for all of the Marlins, but that was an inspiration 
to baseball lovers all over the country. That was a kind of 
rejuvenation, if you will, in many instances of the love of the game of 
baseball.
  So we congratulate the Marlins.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln 
Diaz-Balart), lead cosponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues 
in celebrating the Marlins' win of the World Series. I think we have to 
recognize that Major League Baseball has perhaps provided the country 
and the world with the best postseason ever in this month that has just 
ended. It was an extraordinary series of games, series of series topped 
off by a wonderful and extraordinary World Series, won by a young and 
dynamic team that has earned the admiration of the entire world.
  Obviously, in south Florida we are extremely proud of our Florida 
Marlins. They embody in many ways south Florida, from Jack McKeon, the 
manager, who at age 72 became the oldest manager to lead a team to the 
World Series, after being called just a few months earlier when he was, 
in fact, out of a job and many thought that he would never again manage 
in the Major Leagues, was asked by the front office of the Marlins to 
come and turn the team around, that they needed someone at the helm 
with the experience and leadership qualities of Jack McKeon. And what a 
job he did.
  And I think for that job, he needs to be commended. And the front 
office starting with Jeffrey Loria, the chairman and CEO and managing 
general partner of the Marlins, and David Samson, the president of the 
Marlins, and Larry Beinfest, the senior vice president and general 
manager, what a job they did putting together this young team that 
faced and defeated a New York Yankees team with over three times the 
payroll. And, yet, because of the young talent in the Florida Marlins, 
the Marlins were able to prevail.
  What can we say? We can pick example after example that really leaves 
us in awe. That cleanup hitter, 20-year-old cleanup hitter who just a 
few months earlier was in AA baseball, in the Minors, and he was called 
up because he showed such extraordinary talent and Miguel Cabrera 
became the first 20-year-old since Ty Cobb to bat in the cleanup 
position in the World Series. What a future he has.
  As with so many others in the Florida Marlins, we can go down the 
roster and analyze and really celebrate the excitement that all of the 
players represent, from Juan Pierre, that dynamic and really exciting, 
extraordinarily exciting center fielder, to obviously Ivan Rodriguez, 
the catcher, who electrified us all with his plays and his hitting day 
after day, what a World Series it was. So I am glad that the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Meek) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) have come forth with this resolution which I have joined.
  And I think we not only should commend the Marlins for their 
extraordinary victory and share, obviously, in the celebration that all 
of south Florida is engaged in, but also remember that this is an 
opportunity for some tasks that remain undone to be finished.
  First I think it is important, and I have full faith and confidence 
that the front office, the leadership of the Marlins, is not going to 
do what the ownership did after the last World Series, and that is to 
basically eliminate that great team, but rather it is our hope, and I 
am sure that we will see that the nucleus of this team will remain 
together so that the community can see that team again playing next 
year and winning, as I am sure that it will.
  And we also have in south Florida a great task, which my brother, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart), was heavily involved in 
just a few years ago when he was in the State legislature in attempting 
to put together all the pieces that are required for a new stadium. And 
south Florida needs a new baseball stadium. And I hope that this 
impetus now that has been gained by this marvelous victory can serve 
for the community to come together and perhaps dust off the plan that 
almost succeeded just a few years ago that was a very good and 
interesting plan, and that a baseball stadium can be built because this 
team, this dynamic, wonderful team deserves it, and the community 
deserves it.
  And so congratulations to that wonderful team, the Florida Marlins.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek), who himself was an 
outstanding athlete at Florida A&M, playing outside linebacker before 
he became an outstanding elected official.
  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) for his very kind remarks as it relates to not 
only good sportsmanship but recognizing an outstanding team in the 
Florida Marlins.
  We have had many conversations during the series of the Cubs and the 
Marlins, and he was quite honorable. He was a man of faith in his own 
team, but not only perseverance but a little magic moved the Marlins 
along.
  I want to thank my colleagues, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen), also the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart), 
who are very fine friends of mine, who are all Marlin fans in Miami-
Dade County, including my colleague the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Mario Diaz-Balart.)
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to not only congratulate the Marlins, but 
congratulate those individuals that live in south Florida and 
throughout the world that are fans of the Marlins, some old and some 
new. I think the Marlins' victory in the World Series was very good for 
the country, taking the lead from my good friend, the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Lewis), when he was sharing with me that it would be good 
for the country if the Cubs in Boston would be able to make it to the 
World Series.
  But watching those games, which I had the opportunity to witness some 
personally in south Florida, I cannot forget the experience not only 
that the Marlins experienced when we went to Yankee Stadium during the 
Series, not on Saturday night but the night before that, and we were 
there, and I ran into my good friend Armando Cadina and his wife 
Margerete and also his daughter Ann Marie, it was quite an experience 
because we seemed to be the only Marlins fans in the whole stadium.
  Yankees fans, my hats are off to you. You are my future constituents 
in Florida, so I have to be nice to you. But I just want to say that it 
was quite an experience for the Marlins to actually win a victory, a 0-
2 victory, an

[[Page 26349]]

outstanding series, an outstanding game in New York on Saturday that I 
witnessed on television in low temperatures. We are used to 80-plus in 
south Florida. It was just outstanding.
  Mr. Speaker, I brought the Miami Herald that was thrown on my lawn on 
Sunday morning that just simply said ``Amazing.'' And I must say that 
the Marlins' season was amazing.
  Both of my colleagues referenced the manager of the Marlins. I must 
say that it is a story that I believe that Americans can buy into, that 
older Americans and wiser Americans still have a lot of contribute to 
this country. And I think it was his leadership that led this very 
young team to their second world championship.
  And I must say being a young person myself and having great respect 
for wiser and older individuals, I think that we need to understand in 
this country, even through the love of baseball, that we need to put 
that love in our own life practices, making sure that we give those 
that have contributed in the past an opportunity to contribute again.
  And I want to commend not only the Marlins leadership, the president, 
but also the vice president and managers that they hired Jack McKeon to 
be the manager of the Marlins once again.
  Mr. Speaker, I also would like to add that it is important that we 
continue to not only honor those individuals that won the World Series 
but also that they put it on behalf of Americans, at a time of war and 
a time of conflict overseas. It is always good for us to come together 
as Americans. It is always good for colleagues to come together in such 
a resolution as this.
  This Resolution 415 is a resolution sponsored by every member of the 
Florida delegation, all 25 members. I would like to commend them for 
doing so.
  Once again, to the Florida Marlins, we appreciate you, we commend 
you. We like our New York fans, we like our Cubs fans, we like our 
Giants fans, but we love our Marlins fans. And the people of Miami had 
three celebrations, Mr. Speaker, for the Marlins yesterday, one down 
Flagler Street where they had an outstanding ceremony at the end of 
that, one in Little Havana, and another one in Ft. Lauderdale with a 
boat parade.
  Marlins, you deserved what you received. I want to thank Mr. Beckett 
for being the MVP of the World Series. I wish him many, many more 
seasons.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
a very frustrated Cubs fan, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton).
  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the resolution. I also want 
to commend the Florida Marlins. They are a terrific team. Their 
outfield speed, their pitching, their fans, their coach, is really 
outstanding. I think it is a pretty good deal.
  I saw in the paper the other day that they are only a 15 to 1 team to 
repeat next year. I think that is a pretty good deal, by the way, 
particularly now that they signed, resigned Jack McKeon.
  I just have one question, though, for the gentlewoman from Florida 
(Ms. Ros-Lehtinen). And I was a good loser. I helped participate with 
the Chicago folks in providing Chicago pizza and a few other things for 
the delegation. I want to ask if there is anything in this resolution, 
and I admit that I have not read it yet, that either praises that right 
fielder for the Giants that dropped that ball at the critical point in 
the play-offs, or Steve Bartman?
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, would the gentleman yield?
  I am sure that we will be glad to consider any further resolutions in 
the future, but right now we are just so very proud of the Fish. And I 
am sure that you would agree that there is always next year.
  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, there is always next year. We have been 
saying that for a lot of years, though.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I do not have any additional 
requests for time, but just simply the words of the Cubs: Wait until 
next year. And we congratulate the Marlins for an exciting year. We 
will see what happens in the future.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers. I want to 
congratulate again the Marlins manager Mr. McKeon, the Florida Marlins 
team, all the administrators, and everyone involved, including the 
fans, for the remarkable World Series championship.
  I also want to congratulate my colleagues from Florida once again, 
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek) and the gentleman from Florida 
(Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart) for giving their support to this resolution 
being considered by the House today. I urge its adoption. Go Fish.
  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 2003 World 
Series Champions, the Florida Marlins. Earning the reputation of a team 
that does not quit or tire, the Marlins defeated the famed New York 
Yankees in a thrilling 6-game series. Having never lost a post season 
series, the Marlins defeated the San Francisco Giants in four games and 
the Chicago Cubs in an exciting seven game series.
  The National League Championship Series garnered the excitement and 
thrill baseball fans have not witnessed in some time. Playing in famed 
Wrigley Field, the Marlins took Game 1 and headed home to the friendly 
confines of Pro Player Stadium with a split in the series. Games 3 and 
4 went the way of the Cubs resulting in a 3 to 1 deficit that looked 
monumental to overcome. However, under the leadership of Manager Jack 
McKeon and behind the arm of pitcher Josh Beckett, the Marlins and 
Beckett gave baseball fans across the country an exciting two-hit, 
complete game shutout sending the series back to Chicago. Down 3 games 
to 2, the Marlins players were never swayed from their sheer 
competitive spirit and gamesmanship. With the undaunting task of facing 
Cubs' ace Mark Prior, the Marlins battled the Cubs the entire game. 
However, with one out in the top of the eighth inning, a World Series 
berth seemed out of reach. In a span of 10 minutes, the Marlins had 
turned Game 6 from being down 3-0, to leading 8-3 due to the solid 
hitting of men like Juan Pierre, Pudge Rodriquez, Miguel Cabrera, Jeff 
Conine, Derek Lee, and utility fielder Mike Mordecai. The thrilling 
series was now deadlocked 3 games apiece.
  Game 7 is every fan's postseason dream. Two teams tied and playing 
with everything on the line with the chance of being crowned National 
League Champions and a trip to the fall classic. As we all know, the 
Marlins came out swinging against Cubs star pitcher Kerry Wood. Despite 
losing a lead, the Marlins continued their case of consistent and 
timely hitting. In the end, the Marlins once again shocked the baseball 
world. In just 10 short years, the Marlins were headed back to their 
second World Series--participating in Major League Baseball's 100th 
World Series.
  Behind the outstanding leadership of Jack McKeon, the Marlins stole 
the show in Yankee stadium by defeating the Yankees in Game 1. Heading 
back to South Florida, Marlins fans packed Pro Player Stadium cheering 
this exciting young team on the home field. Battling past the hype of 
Roger Clemens' final start, the Marlins battled the Yankees winning 
Game 4 and in a thrilling 12 innings thanks to the game ending heroics 
of shortstop Alex Gonzalez. Last Thursday, the Marlins, behind stellar 
pitching by Carl Pavano, sent the Series back to Yankee Stadium leading 
3 games to 2. With the stage set for Game 6, Jack McKeon decided on the 
arm of Josh Beckett to deliver the championship to South Florida. 
Beckett pitched a gem. A nine-inning complete game, shut out by holding 
Yankee hitters to five hits in a 2-0 win. What a performance!
  Mr. Speaker, this Marlins fan congratulates Chairman and CEO Jeffrey 
Loria, Skipper Jack McKeon, the Marlins coaching staff, MVP Josh 
Beckett, each player and the entire Marlins organization and fans on an 
exciting 2003 World Series.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to rise today and join my 
colleagues from the Florida Delegation in commending the World Champion 
Florida Marlins. It was your classic Cinderella story in which the 
Marlins knocked out the heavily favored Yankees in a comeback season 
not soon to be forgotten. Led by skipper Jack McKeon, the Marlins, 
dealing with the adversity of a coaching change, rebounded from a 16-22 
record to finish 91-71, making them only the ninth team in Major League 
history to rally from at least 10 games under .500 to reach the 
playoffs. In Game 6 in front of a hostile crowd, McKeon's Marlins, 
aided by the stout pitching of Josh Beckett, took the World Series 
title, four games to two. With their second title in the franchise's 11 
years, I believe the Marlins are in good hands. Jack McKeon who turns 
73 next month, is the oldest coach in any major U.S. professional sport 
to lead his team to a championship, and I surely hope that he will 
agree to return for a run at it again in 2004.

[[Page 26350]]


  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
Florida Marlins on winning the 2003 World Series. The team is a great 
source of pride for my home state and proved, against the odds, exactly 
what it was capable of.
  The Marlins certainly had to work hard for their second championship. 
Their opponent, the New York Yankees, had won four of the last eight 
World Series. This Florida team surprised many with its victory, but 
they deserve every bit of praise. Even changing the team's management, 
mid-season, did not keep them from obtaining baseball's top award.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 2003 World Series 
Champions, and I congratulate the Florida Marlins on a fantastic 
season. Your Congress is proud of what you have accomplished.

                              {time}  1530

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Foley). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 415.
  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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