[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Pages 23541-23542]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE WARNER ROBINS AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM OF WARNER 
ROBINS, GEORGIA, FOR WINNING THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME OF THE LITTLE LEAGUE 
                              WORLD SERIES

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 308, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 308) congratulating the Warner Robins 
     American Little League team of Warner Robins, Georgia, for 
     winning the championship game of the Little League World 
     Series.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I rise to encourage my colleagues to 
join Senator Isakson and myself in support of a resolution 
congratulating the 2007 Little League World Series champions, the 
Warner Robins American Little League team of Warner Robins, GA. Warner 
Robins and Houston County, where Warner Robins is located, have a very 
proud athletic tradition. Warner Robins High School and Houston County 
High School have been in the same region as my home high school over 
the last several years and I have seen my high school win and lose 
against teams coming out of Houston County. The tradition in Houston 
County goes way back.
  There is also a town in Houston County called Perry, and Perry, GA is 
the home of a former all-State basketball player by the name of Sam 
Nunn who served in this great institution for a period of 24 years.
  Success in Houston County and Warner Robins from an athletic 
standpoint is nothing new. But on August 26, 2007, the Warner Robins 
American Little League team defeated the Tokyo Kitasuna Little League 
team of Tokyo, Japan by a score of 3-2 after Dalton Carriker hit a solo 
walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. This victory 
concluded their impressive season with a record of 20 wins and only 1 
loss. Considering the fact that more than 7,000 Little League All-Star 
teams took the field in July, this accomplishment is extremely 
impressive.
  Their talent, hard work, and sportsmanship allowed them to become the 
third team from the State of Georgia to win the Little League World 
Series and, in doing so, they captured the hearts of people all across 
Georgia and in many parts of the Nation who love the game of baseball.
  As a former Little League coach myself, during the years when my 
wife, Julianne, and I were raising our children in Moultrie, GA, I was 
proud to participate in the longstanding tradition of Little League 
baseball as a coach for my son's team, the Destiny Dawgs. I have seen 
firsthand the uncontested confidence, determination, and hard work that 
Little League baseball instills in our youth.
  I wish to recognize the 12 young men of the Warner Robins American 
team individually for their great accomplishment: Keaton Allen, Dalton 
Carriker, Zane Conlon, Hunter Jackson, Taylor Lay, Nick Martens, Payton 
Purvis, Kendall Scott, Hunt Smith, David Umphreyville, Micah Wells, and 
Clint Wynn. Their manager Mickey Lay and coaches Mike Conlon, Tommy 
Morris, and Mike Smith each deserve strong recognition for guiding 
these young men to victory.
  Moreover, I would be remiss if I did not recognize the teachers and 
students of these young men's schools, the fans who represented their 
community, and the State of Georgia, for their enthusiasm and their 
support for this team's efforts. It is with great pride that I extend 
my heartfelt congratulations to the Warner Robins American Little 
League team and their families. I am extremely proud of each of them 
and their accomplishments. I wish them great success in the future and 
urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Georgia.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I thank Senator Chambliss for this 
opportunity. I am pleased to join him in paying tribute to the Warner 
Robins Little League. I associate myself with all his remarks.
  Dalton Carriker's walk-off home run in extra innings was a thrill. 
Kendall Scott's great relief pitching was a thrill. But what was the 
most thrilling thing of all, because I got home in time to watch the 
end of that game, were the actions of those kids in response to the 
despair of the Japanese kids. In fact, I want to quote from a news 
article. A reporter interviewed Kendall Scott, the winning pitcher, 
after the end of the game when he gazed across the field and saw the 
Japanese players all on their knees in tears, disappointed in their 
loss. Kendall Scott said the following:

       They don't disrespect, they're very disciplined and they're 
     some of the nicest kids you'll ever meet in your entire life. 
     Just seeing them fall down and cry, you just couldn't let 
     them do that--you gotta pick them up.

  Having had two boys who went through Little League, having worked in 
baseball as a youngster myself, I know one of the goals of Little 
League is to instill good sportsmanship and teamwork on behalf of 
players. I commend manager Mickey Lay and coaches Mike Conlon, Tommy 
Morris, and Mike Smith for the discipline, the teamwork, and the 
respect they instilled in these young men, because at the height of 
their victory, zenith of their young careers, they stopped their 
celebration to console those they had defeated on the field. That shows 
that Little League and its goals of teaching teamwork and sportsmanship 
are alive and well, not just in Warner Robins, GA but throughout the 
United States. I am pleased to join my colleague and commend the Warner 
Robins Little League on their victory and remind everyone, that is back 
to back for Georgia. Columbus, GA won last year. Warner Robins won this 
year. We will try for a trifecta next year.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 308) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 308

       Whereas, on August 26, 2007, the Warner Robins American 
     Little League team defeated the Tokyo Kitasuna Little League 
     team of Tokyo, Japan, by 3 runs to 2 runs to win the 61st 
     annual Little League Baseball World Series;
       Whereas the Warner Robins American Little League team had 
     an impressive record of 20 wins and only 1 loss;
       Whereas the success of the Warner Robins American Little 
     League team depended on the tremendous dedication and 
     sportsmanship of the team, including--
       (1) Keaton Allen, who played outfield and pitched for the 
     team;
       (2) Dalton Carriker, who played shortstop and pitched for 
     the team;
       (3) Zane Conlon, who played 2nd base, shortstop, outfield, 
     and pitched for the team;
       (4) Hunter Jackson, who played 3rd base;
       (5) Taylor Lay, who played 2nd base and outfield;
       (6) Nick Martens, who played 2nd base and outfield;

[[Page 23542]]

       (7) Payton Purvis, who played outfield;
       (8) Kendall Scott, who pitched and caught for the team;
       (9) Hunt Smith, who played 1st base and outfield;
       (10) David Umphreyville, who played outfield and caught for 
     the team;
       (11) Micah Wells, who played 1st base; and
       (12) Clint Wynn, who played outfield and pitched for the 
     team;
       Whereas the Warner Robins American Little League team was 
     managed by Mickey Lay and coached by Mike Conlon, Tommy 
     Morris, and Mike Smith, each of whom demonstrated leadership, 
     professionalism, and respect for the players they led and the 
     game of baseball;
       Whereas the fans of the Warner Robins American Little 
     League team showed enthusiasm, support, and courtesy for the 
     game of baseball and all of the players and coaches;
       Whereas the performance of the Warner Robins American 
     Little League team demonstrated to parents and communities 
     throughout the United States that athletic participation 
     builds character and leadership in children;
       Whereas the Warner Robins American Little League team 
     became the second consecutive team from the State of Georgia 
     to win the Little League World Series, following the win by 
     the Columbus Northern Little League team in 2006;
       Whereas Georgia is only the 4th State to produce back-to-
     back champions in the 61-year history of the Little League 
     World Series and the first State to win back-to-back titles 
     since 1992-1993;
       Whereas every team from the State of Georgia that has 
     participated in the Little League World Series has won the 
     Championship; and
       Whereas the Warner Robins American Little League team 
     brought pride and honor to the State of Georgia and the 
     United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates and honors the Warner Robins American 
     Little League team and the loyal fans who supported the team 
     on winning the 61st annual Little League Baseball World 
     Series;
       (2) recognizes and commends the hard work, dedication, 
     determination, and commitment to excellence of the members, 
     parents, coaches, and managers of the Warner Robins American 
     Little League team;
       (3) recognizes and commends the people of Warner Robins, 
     Georgia, for the outstanding loyalty and support that they 
     displayed for the Warner Robins American Little League team 
     throughout the season;
       (4) commends Little League Baseball for continuing the 
     tradition of encouraging the development of sportsmanship and 
     confidence in youth by sponsoring world-class baseball; and
       (5) respectfully requests--
       (A) that the American people recognize the achievements of 
     the Warner Robins American Little League team; and
       (B) that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled 
     copy of this resolution to--
       (i) the City of Warner Robins; and
       (ii) the Warner Robins American Little League Baseball team 
     for appropriate display.

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