[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 16091-16092]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATING THE BOSTON RED SOX

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Kildee) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, while typically I would address the House on 
much more serious subjects, today it is a slightly lighter subject that 
I am here to address. Much to my regret, I am here standing before you 
to congratulate my dear friend and classmate from Massachusetts (Mr. 
Kennedy) and his Boston Red Sox on their American League Championship 
Series win over my beloved Detroit Tigers. And in accordance with our 
agreement, today I am wearing the gentleman's rather unsightly Boston 
Red Sox tie, which is painful to say the least.
  Although the Tigers did not make it to the World Series this year, I 
do want to say how proud I am of our players, of our team, of our 
State, and specifically of Jim Leyland, who, after two World Series, 
four American League Championship Series, and 8 years as our manager, 
announced his retirement this week.
  Jim, I am sure I speak for all Michiganders and all baseball fans in 
saying that we are proud to have you retire as a Detroit Tiger.
  To Michigan, and specifically to Detroit, the Tigers have always 
meant more than just baseball. Year after year, their perseverance and 
grit, even through really tough times for both

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the team and for the city, that perseverance has been emblematic of the 
determination and resilience of Detroiters and Michiganders. Tigers 
baseball has provided hope and instilled a sense of pride in a city and 
State that has surely seen its share of difficulties. Their performance 
and their wins have certainly not erased the challenges that we face, 
but it has given the community and our State a lift.
  Like the team, Detroit and Michigan have always had hope for the next 
season. I love my Detroit Tigers and appreciate all they mean to the 
great State of Michigan.
  And to Jim Leyland and our amazing team, bless you, boys.
  So, today, regrettably but sincerely, I salute my colleague from 
Massachusetts and his winning team, the Boston Red Sox. I had hoped for 
a different outcome, but, nonetheless, a win is a win.
  Joe, congratulations to you and to the Red Sox.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to direct their remarks 
to the Chair and not to a perceived viewing audience.

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