[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10408]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING JAMES BARTON ``MICKEY'' VERNON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sestak) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SESTAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the achievements of 
one of the finest athletes and men ever to call the Seventh 
Congressional District of Pennsylvania home. James Barton ``Mickey'' 
Vernon, a native of Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, passed away on September 
24, 2008, having lived a life of great success and purpose. Today is 
the anniversary of his birthday.
  Long before he became an exceptional professional baseball player, 
Mickey Vernon's character and work ethic were shaped by his parents, 
Clarence and Katherine Morris Vernon, his sister, Edith, and the good 
people of Marcus Hook, the cornerstone of Pennsylvania.
  In addition, he benefited from the dedicated faculty and coaches of 
Eddystone High School and Villanova University. Ranked among the best 
players of baseball's golden era, Mickey was twice the American 
League's batting champ and, over a career that included time with the 
Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee 
Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates, he played in 2,409 Major League games. 
In each, he played with skill, determination, and a complete commitment 
to his team and teammates.
  More important than his skills on the diamond, Mickey Vernon stands 
apart for his modesty and unfailing service to our Nation and to our 
community. I am especially proud to call him ``shipmate.'' Mickey 
Vernon served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the brutally hot 
and dangerous South Pacific. Following that conflict, he continued his 
brilliant career, and with his lovely wife, Anne, raised a lovely 
daughter, Gay.
  In a year when the Seventh Congressional District lost both Mickey 
Vernon and Harry Kalas, there is a temptation to feel great pain and 
sadness, that is understandable; but it is more in keeping with the 
lives of both men that we celebrate their greatness and decency.
  I ask that our Chamber and our Nation pause to honor James Barton 
``Mickey'' Vernon as a model athlete, a veteran, husband, father and 
friend, an inspiration to us all. He was some man.

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