[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 23]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 31509]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF H. RES. 816 CONGRATULATING THE COLORADO ROCKIES ON 
WINNING THE NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP AND PLAYING IN THE 2007 WORLD 
                                 SERIES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2007

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a 
resolution congratulating the Colorado Rockies on their National League 
Championship and first-ever franchise appearance in the World Series. 
The Rockies defied the odds this year by making it to the World Series, 
capturing the best hopes of Coloradans and giving us all a reason to 
cheer for their success. Despite a tough loss to a great team in the 
Boston Red Sox, we remain proud of the Rockies' efforts and astonished 
at their meteoric rise to the top of the National League.
  Toward the close of the season, the Rockies were the underdogs in the 
National League pennant race. The challenge of making the playoffs 
seemed as large and daunting as the mountain range for which the 
Rockies were named, but the team maintained an optimism and competitive 
spirit that kept them alive long after commentators had written them 
off. Winning 21 of their last 22 games prior to the World Series--an 
unprecedented feat in baseball history--the Rockies rolled over 
expectations and swept the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS.
  The World Series proved to be a bigger challenge than the Rockies 
could surmount, and they lost in four games to a very talented Red Sox 
team. Despite the losses, the Rockies carried themselves with dignity 
and true sportsmanship, giving Coloradans something to be proud of. As 
the father of two young athletes I can say that the way the Rockies 
carried themselves is a tremendous example for our young people. We 
would have loved to have seen the Rockies bring home a victory this 
year, but, as the Red Sox' Manny Ramirez said during the ALCS, there's 
always next year. I know I am not alone in looking forward to watching 
some great Rockies baseball in the future.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating the Colorado 
Rockies on a great season and in thanking them for serving as great 
examples of professional athletes practicing sportsmanship.

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