[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 968]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING JENNIFER HUNTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 3, 2004

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jennifer Hunter, 
one of my remarkable young constituents who had an outstanding 
accomplishment.
  Jennifer is a 12 year-old little leaguer in my hometown of Tarpon 
Springs, Florida. In April of last year, she used her 60 mile per-hour 
fastball to throw a no-hitter against one of her team's opponents. She 
had a 6 and 3 record and a 2.10 Earned Run Average in 54 innings last 
season. Baseball fans know that these are tremendous accomplishments. 
They are especially impressive considering Jennifer is playing against 
boys.
  Jennifer, you see, loves baseball and wanted to test her skills 
against her peers, both male and female. Her teammates were unsure 
about having a girl on their team at first, until they saw her play. 
Jennifer recently told Sports Illustrated that ``they thought I wasn't 
going to be any good.'' However, she says, they became closer once they 
saw her play, particularly after her no-hitter. Jennifer wants to play 
in the Women's Professional Baseball League next year, and though the 
league has no players younger than 18, I am confident that she will 
give the older women all they can handle.
  Mr. Speaker, Jennifer Hunter has shown me, my friends, and neighbors 
that hard work, determination, and perseverance can help us achieve 
what many, if not most, thought impossible. I congratulate her and her 
family and urge our colleagues to wish her luck in her future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________