[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10726]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                LITTLE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. TOOMEY. Madam President, I wish to recognize Little League 
International on its 75th anniversary. Little League International was 
founded in Williamsport, PA, in 1939 by Carl Stotz as a means for area 
youth to learn the sport at a time when they were considered too young 
to play organized baseball. The basic goal of Little League was, and 
remains, to introduce children to a game that teaches its set of 
values, including courage, character and loyalty, that will guide them 
throughout their lives. Congress recognized the valuable role Little 
League has played in America's communities when it unanimously granted 
Little League a Federal charter on July 16, 1964. That charter was 
signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson the very next day.
  Over the course of its 75 years, Little League Baseball has become 
the world's largest organized youth sports program, growing from 3 
teams in 1939 to nearly 200,000 teams located in all 50 States and more 
than 80 countries worldwide. Each year, more than 2.4 million children 
participate in Little League Baseball in various divisions, including 
baseball, softball, and a challenger division for physically and 
developmentally challenged children. Some notable Little League alumni 
include former U.S. President George W. Bush, two Vice Presidents, 
numerous U.S. Senators and Representatives, two Nobel Prize laureates, 
and a Medal of Honor recipient. Also, several professional athletes and 
Hall of Fame baseball players began their journey in Little League. In 
keeping with the tradition of our national pastime, thousands of games 
are played throughout the summer months at various levels of 
competition. These events bring together children from the 
international community and foster principles that transcend cultural 
or regional differences.
  Since the very first game was played on June 6, 1939, Little League 
International has made an invaluable contribution to the lives of 
millions of children across the globe. I wish Little League 
International all the best as it continues to grow and fulfill its 
mission by laying a strong foundation for today's youth.

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