[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17822]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           DAVE NIEHAUS: FEBRUARY 19, 1935-NOVEMBER 10, 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2010

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today somberly, recognizing a 
larger-than-life entertainer and broadcaster in the Pacific Northwest 
who passed away on Wednesday, November 10. Dave Niehaus, the fantastic 
voice of the Seattle Mariners, will be remembered as a terrific 
husband, father, and grandfather, a loyal employee, and a broadcaster 
who left an indelible mark in Seattle and beyond.
  It's a true honor to know Dave was a constituent of the 8th District 
of Washington, the District I represent. His wife Marilyn, along with 
many of Dave's family members and friends remain in the District. I 
offer my sincere condolences for their loss and thank them for allowing 
Dave to share his profound gifts with all of us. The public lost an 
astounding sportscaster on November 10, Madam Speaker, but his family 
lost a remarkable friend. I wish them all the best in the future.
  After word of Dave's death reached the public, Madam Speaker, a 
Seattle sportswriter wrote this: ``The pleasure of listening to him on 
a stormy day in April or one of those long, lush nights in July always 
has felt like an inalienable right of being a sports fan in Seattle . . 
. What a voice!'' I can attest to the power of his voice. My family, 
friends, and staff can as well. We all welcomed him into our homes on 
summer evenings like a member of the family. The talent he possessed 
was both enviable and cherished, Madam Speaker. When the Seattle 
Mariners take the field on Opening Day next year, every individual on 
and off the field will be thinking of Dave.
  The Seattle Mariners have played 5,385 games since they became a 
franchise in 1977. Dave Niehaus called 5,284 of those games, Madam 
Speaker. What a legacy! I doubt an organization anywhere can depend on 
an employee like the Mariners depended on Dave. And he didn't just show 
up, Madam Speaker. He defined his profession and he finally earned the 
ultimate recognition in 2008: Major League Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford 
C. Frick award, the highest honor a baseball broadcaster can achieve--
an honor he richly deserved.
  Madam Speaker, Dave is one of the finest sportscasters of all time, 
regardless of the sport. His Hall-of-Fame career will never be 
forgotten. Children in middle school right now will be telling their 
grandkids about listening to Dave on the radio--reminiscing on his 
classic voice and truly incredibly talents. His catches phrases will be 
immortalized and his unfailing optimism will never die. God bless his 
wonderful family and, Madam Speaker, I speak for millions of baseball 
fans when I say Dave will be greatly missed, thank you.

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