[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2039]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. DAVE HENDERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2016

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dave Henderson who 
passed away December 27, 2015, at the age of 57.
  Dave was born in Merced, California, on July 21, 1958. He attended 
Dos Palos High School and is the school's most celebrated athlete. 
During his high schools years, he was a star baseball and football 
player. Dave led the Dos Palos High Broncos varsity football team to 
two Central Valley championships. He had great success as a football 
player, but Dave decided to progress as a baseball player and accepted 
a scholarship to play baseball at California State University, Fresno.
  In 1977, Dave was drafted number one overall by the Seattle Mariners, 
and his big league career began in 1981 as a center fielder for the 
Mariners. Dave played for the Mariners for six seasons.
  Baseball fans will best remember Dave for his two strike, two out, 
ninth inning, game-tying home run as a member of the Boston Red Sox. 
Thanks to his heroics, the Red Sox won Game five in extra innings and 
completed a comeback from a three to one American League Championship 
Series deficit to win the pennant, earning a trip to the 1986 World 
Series.
  Dave found his stride as a member of the Oakland Athletics where he 
played in three consecutive World Series and was a member of the 1989 
World Series Champion team. He had career high statistics and was 
selected to be on the 1991 All-Star team.
  In 1994, Dave ended his career as a baseball player after playing 14 
seasons with five teams, including the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red 
Sox, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals. 
After retiring as player, Dave worked as a color analyst for the 
Seattle Mariners' broadcasts.
  Dave was active in several philanthropic endeavors and believed that 
giving back was important. He raised money to support research for 
Angelman Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Additionally, he was also 
one of the founders of Rick's Toys for Kids, a charity which provides 
dozens of agencies with toys so that thousands of children could 
receive Christmas gifts who would otherwise go without receiving one.
  Beginning in high school and into his career in the major leagues, 
Dave was known by his teammates and coaches for his ever-present smile 
and positive demeanor. As his former coach Mike Sparks said, ``I will 
always remember that big smile . . . He treated everyone like they were 
a friend.''
  Dave is survived by his sisters Jeannie, Terry, Patricia, and 
Michelle, brother Al, first wife Loni, wife Nancy, and his two sons 
Chase and Trent, and Trent's wife Dani.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life 
of a great man, Dave Henderson.

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