[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16480-16481]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                THE PHILLIES ARE OFF-FIELD CHAMPIONS TOO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2010

  Mr. FATTAH. Madam Speaker, the Phillies in my hometown of 
Philadelphia are closing in on another baseball championship season 
with the aim of a third straight trip to the World Series.
  But we don't need the latest baseball scores to declare the Phillies 
and their players as true champions in the neighborhoods and environs 
of Philadelphia.
  It starts at the top with the Phillies themselves and Phillies 
Charities Inc., which has a lengthy and impressive list of community 
activities and charitable initiatives. The Phillies hit another home 
run this week, announcing a major partnership with Mayor Michael 
Nutter, the City of Philadelphia and Major League Baseball to expand 
the club's commitment to youth baseball in the inner city.
  The partners announced they are launching the nearly--$3 million 
Philadelphia Urban Youth Academy, a year-round program that will 
provide baseball and softball instruction as well as academic 
enrichment to youth in low-income neighborhoods. The academic 
investment is huge--combining baseball skills with life skills and a 
commitment to quality education. As Mayor Nutter said during 
Wednesday's ceremonies at Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park, less than a 
mile from the Phillies home Citizens Bank Park: ``Not all the children 
who enter this Academy will become professional athletes, but all of 
them will leave with a firm grasp of how a quality education can help 
transform their lives.''
  This will be the fourth MLB Urban Youth Academy nationally--and the 
first to operate on multiple sites within a city. It was fitting that 
Phillies second baseman and Phillies linchpin Chase Utley, who has 
served as Chairman of the Phillies RBI (``Reviving Baseball in Inner 
Cities'') and Rookie League programs since 2006, was on hand with the 
Mayor and Phillies President Dave Montgomery for the launch.
  Utley is by no means alone. Numerous members of this exciting and 
community-minded team have established personal foundations, visited 
inner city playgrounds, donated generously to charities and performed 
like All-Stars of public service.
  Leading off in center field is Shane Victorino, the Phillies nominee 
for the Roberto Clemente Award that Major League Baseball bestows each 
year on the player who best exemplifies the charitable spirit of the 
late and great Pirates Hall of Famer. On June 7, he officially launched 
the Shane Victorino Foundation and announced that he would be donating 
$900,000 over the next three years to the Nicetown Boys and Girls Club 
to be renamed for Victorino--in one of Philadelphia's most impoverished 
neighborhoods. Victorino is paying homage to the Boys and Girls Club 
where he spent time as a youth in Hawaii.
  Batting cleanup is first baseman Ryan Howard. The popular slugger has 
teamed up with Victorino to support Philadelphia Futures, a mentoring 
program for inner-city students. He has donated to the Police Athletic 
League and received recognition from PAL for community service. He has 
worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, granting special wishes for 
children and teens suffering from serious illnesses. He has been 
Spokesman for the Boys and Girls Clubs nationally, for the Variety 
Club, and has visited a number of schools and recreation centers in 
Philadelphia.

[[Page 16481]]

  Shortstop Jimmy Rollins has turned his defensive skills into a big 
time community offensive. He hosts an annual Celebrity BaseBOWL charity 
event which has raised over $200,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes 
Foundation, the Arthritis Foundation and local literacy efforts. He's 
also worked with the American Red Cross, Easter Seals and the 
Volunteers of America organization, and donated 30 computers to Olney 
High School.
  Utley hosts Chase's Champs which benefits Children's Hospital of 
Philadelphia and St. Christopher's Hospital and provides young patients 
and family members with the opportunity to attend a Phillies game. He 
and his wife Jen have been prominent fundraisers and spokespeople for 
the Pennsylvania SPCA and their love for animals is known to just about 
every Phillies fan.
  Pitcher Cole Hamels and his wife Heidi have created the education-
minded Hamels Foundation, which has a dual mission to provide support 
for quality community-based education in the United States and to 
establish a school in Malawi, Africa. The Foundation has also been 
active closer to home, with Cole Hamels hosting pitching clinics for 
campers at FDR Park.
  Pitcher Jamie Moyer and wife Karen have long been recognized for 
their tireless efforts for young people. Jamie Moyer, who set records 
for longevity and accomplishment almost every time he took the mound 
this year, has set more records through the Moyer Foundation, raising 
more than $19 million in the past decade to assist over 170 programs 
that directly serve the needs of children in severe distress. The 
Moyers established Camp Erin, in 2007, as a weekend bereavement camp 
for children, and the Foundation has set up three dozen such camps with 
hopes to establish a Camp Erin in every Major League City.
  Coming out of the bullpen are J.C. Romero, with his ``Romero's 
Rookies'' benefitting underprivileged children, closer Brad Lidge, who 
with his wife Lindsay partner with the Food Trust to raise awareness 
about healthy eating and access to healthy, affordable food. Brad Lidge 
also has Lidge's Legion, benefiting Children's Hospital, its patients 
and their families.
  I'm proud to have this All-Star lineup going to bat for the 
underserved youth, for those battling diseases and health concerns, all 
across the Philadelphia area, from the inner city to the far suburbs. 
Thanks to all our champions in Red, on and off the field, and go 
Phillies!

                          ____________________