[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14389]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING DEREK JETER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2014

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of history's 
most distinguished New York Yankees, Derek Jeter. Derek has spent the 
last 20 years thrilling Bronx residents and Yankees fans across the 
nation with his unparalleled performances on the field. He has been one 
of the greatest shortstops in the modern game, and as his final season 
comes to a close, he has received many accolades and messages of thanks 
for his dedication to this illustrious franchise.
  Derek Jeter has spent his entire career with the Yankees 
organization, from the time he was drafted as an 18-year-old out of 
Kalamazoo, Michigan. He has excelled at whatever he was asked to do for 
the organization, and has led the Yankees during one of their most 
successful eras. During his time as a Yankee, the organization has won 
5 World Series, and Derek played an important part in those victories. 
His incredible baseball skills are only surpassed by the maturity and 
leadership he has shown on the field. In almost every aspect, he has 
earned the nickname bestowed upon him: The Captain.
  His statistics show what an influence he has had on the field, and 
his hard work and success has been recognized by baseball fans, 
writers, and peers. He won the Rookie of the Year award in his first 
full season in the American League, and went on to become a 14-time 
All-Star and a 5-time Golden Glove winner. He has a lifetime average of 
.310, and has amassed an astounding 3,448 hits as of Friday, September 
5th, a total surpassed by only 5 other players in baseball history. He 
has been even more vital when the Yankees have needed it most--during 
his seven World Series appearances, he batted .321, and was named MVP 
of the 2000 World Series.
  Derek has also led in his actions off the field. Through the Turn 2 
Foundation, a charity he founded in 1996, Derek has helped children in 
Western Michigan, New York City, and the Tampa-St. Petersburg area to 
live healthier lives and to turn away from drugs and alcohol. In New 
York City, the foundation has partnered with the New York City Parks 
and Recreation Department to create four free after-school programs 
that serve more than 300 children.
  Derek Jeter will be retiring at the end of this season, ending an 
illustrious, Hall of Fame-worthy career. He has become a part of the 
fabric of the Yankees and of the Bronx. Although we will get used to 
seeing him succeed in other endeavors, for Yankees fans it will be 
difficult to imagine the shortstop position without number 2 there. I 
congratulate Derek on an outstanding career, thank him for his 
contributions to the Yankees and to the Bronx, and wish him well in 
whatever the future brings.

                          ____________________