[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23668]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATING THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX ON WINNING THE PENNANT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 25, 2005

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Chicago 
White Sox for winning their first pennant since 1959. On the strength 
of its pitching staff, clutch hitting and expert managing, the White 
Sox led the American League with 99 victories in the regular season and 
won an American League Central Division title.
  Ozzie Guillen, a long-time White Sox player, managed the team to a 
sweep of the defending champion Boston Red Sox in American League 
Division Series. The team followed that impressive feat with a victory 
over the Anaheim Angels in five games in the American League 
Championship Series, led by series MVP Paul Konerko and tremendous 
starting pitching. Jose Contreras, Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland and Freddy 
Garcia pitched consecutive complete game victories for the Sox in the 
ALCS, an accomplishment not seen since 1956.
  I'd also like to extend my personal congratulations to Jerry 
Reinsdorf, who is the owner of this historic franchise, and one of the 
most dominant teams in NBA history, the Chicago Bulls. Jerry was born 
in Brooklyn, New York, but he has made his mark on Chicago history, 
providing North and South Siders alike with years of excitement and 
memories. Jerry has been the head of these historic franchises for over 
20 years, during which the Bulls won six World Championships, and the 
White Sox won 4 division titles and one pennant.
  Jerry is also to be commended for his work in ensuring that these 
historic franchises remained where they belong, in Chicago. In an era 
when countless sports franchises abandoned their local fan base to move 
to the suburbs or new cities, Jerry oversaw the construction of new 
stadiums for the White Sox and Bulls, directly across the street from 
their former locations. He has also been instrumental in the community 
outreach efforts of his teams and has been a credit to the Chicago 
community. Jerry has also exhibited a strong community spirit and work 
ethic in his other work as an attorney, certified public accountant and 
real-estate developer.
  As a lifelong North Sider I must admit that I'm a little wistful 
seeing the activity at U.S. Cellular Field while Wrigley Field goes 
into another quiet October, but I'm thrilled to join first fan Mayor 
Richard M. Daley and all of Chicago in hoping the White Sox can win it 
all for the first time since 1917. I wish manager Ozzie Guillen, 
general manager Ken Williams, owner Jerry Reinsdorf and all the players 
and loyal fans the best of luck against the Houston Astros in the World 
Series. Go Sox!

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