CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E1368 HON
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E1368 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 31, 2012 IN HONOR OF DODGER STADIUM tember 16, 1987 Pope John Paul II celebrated life and death. Flomaton Fire Chief Steve IN RECOGNITION OF ITS 50TH Mass at Dodger Stadium to a crowd of 63,000 Stanton called Chief Thompson ‘‘a real hero,’’ ANNIVERSARY people. Entertainers from around the world and I think we all share his sentiments. I have performed here as well, such as Ma- would like to echo his comments. HON. XAVIER BECERRA donna, The Beatles and Michael Jackson. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Ala- OF CALIFORNIA Dodger Stadium also staged one of the bama and my colleagues in the Alabama dele- world’s greatest entertainment events in 1994, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES gation, I wish to extend personal appreciation when internationally-renowned tenors Jose to Chief Thompson for his quick action to save Tuesday, July 31, 2012 Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano a life, and to all those who serve us every day Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Pavarotti reunited for a spectacular concert in our communities. We can never thank them honor one of Los Angeles’ greatest landmarks, performance ‘‘Encore—The Three Tenors’’ enough. Dodger Stadium, home of the Los Angeles with conductor Zubin Mehta. Dodgers. The 2012 season marks the 50th Without a doubt, Dodger Stadium is one of f anniversary of Dodger Stadium. America’s treasured venues. It continues to be IN RECOGNITION OF COL. TIMOTHY It ranks as the third oldest, continually-used a major part of the history and tradition of the SULLIVAN’S CHANGE OF COM- park in Major League Baseball and still one of Dodgers. It has been the home of one of pro- MAND the most attended and highly regarded sta- fessional sports’ most storied franchises, a diums in America. Dodger Stadium has hosted destination for a worldwide fan base and an more than 143 million fans since it opened its enduring monument for a bustling, multicul- HON. MIKE ROGERS doors in 1962. The club topped the 3.85 mil- tural city. For 50 years in the heart of Los An- OF ALABAMA lion attendance mark in 2007, which stands as geles, Dodger Stadium has truly been a home IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the all-time franchise record. for both a team and a community. I am hon- Tuesday, July 31, 2012 Ever since Brooklyn Dodger President Wal- ored to have such an organization and land- ter O’Malley decided to move his team to Los mark in the 31st Congressional District of Cali- Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I Angeles in 1958 and bring Major League fornia. ask for the House’s attention today to recog- Baseball to California for the first time, this Mr. Speaker, it is with deep pride that I ask nize Colonel Timothy Sullivan who will have a stadium has been home to some of the most my colleagues to join me in celebrating the change of command from Anniston Army memorable events in Dodger history. Many ‘‘Golden Anniversary’’ of one of America’s Depot in August. Dodger fans still recall Sandy Koufax’s perfect great landmarks, Dodger Stadium. Sullivan received a commission as an Ord- game in 1965, the rise of Fernandomania, and f nance Officer in 1988 after graduating from Kirk Gibson’s walk-off home run in Game 1 of TRIBUTE TO FLOMATON POLICE Jacksonville State University. He later earned the 1988 World Series. CHIEF DANIEL THOMPSON a Master of Science Degree in Information Since opening its gates, Dodger Stadium Systems Management from Florida Tech Uni- has hosted eight World Series and the Los versity in 2001 and a Master of Strategic Stud- Angeles Dodgers have won four World Cham- HON. JO BONNER ies from the Air War College, Air University in pionships, eight National League pennants, 11 OF ALABAMA 2010. National League Western Division crowns and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES His previous assignments include Platoon two National League Wild Card berths. From Tuesday, July 31, 2012 Leader, 503rd Maintenance Company, 530th 1992 to 1996, the Dodgers set a major league Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor S&S Battalion, 1st COSCOM; Platoon Leader baseball record with five consecutive players Police Chief Daniel Thompson of the and Shop Officer, Charlie Company, 782nd being named Rookie of the year: Eric Karros, Flomaton, Alabama Police Department for his Maintenance Battalion, 82nd DISCOM, 82nd Mike Piazza, Raul Mondesi, Hideo Nomo and heroic efforts to save the life of a 3-year-old Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; Company Todd Hollandsworth. boy on July 7, 2012. Commander, 520th Maintenance Company, Dodger Stadium has awed spectators with a While off-duty at the house of a friend, Chief 194th Maintenance Battalion, 23rd Area Sup- breathtaking view of downtown Los Angeles to Thompson was alerted by calls for help from port Group, Camp Humphrey’s Korea; Oper- the south; green, tree-lined Elysian hills to the a neighboring house. He acted quickly to ations Officer and Brigade Executive Officer, north and east; and the San Gabriel Moun- reach a child who was unresponsive after fall- 59th Ordnance Brigade, Redstone Arsenal, tains beyond. Walter O’Malley and architecht ing into a swimming pool. Chief Thompson Ala.; RTD Team Chief, 351st Infantry Bat- Emil Praeger designed the 56,000-seat sta- promptly performed CPR on the boy for sev- talion, 158th Infantry Brigade, Patrick Air dium, the second privately financed ballpark in eral minutes until the boy regained conscious- Force Base, Fla.; Support Operations Officer baseball history. Its wavy roof atop each out- ness. Other rescuers soon responded and and Battalion Executive Officer, 13th Corps field pavilion, cantilevered grandstands and took over care of the child. Due to Chief Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, unique terraced-earthworks parking lot behind Thompson’s well-trained and swift efforts, the 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.; the main stands make Dodger Stadium one of young boy was able to be air lifted to Sacred APMS, Auburn University Army ROTC; Com- the most innovatively designed baseball sta- Heart Hospital in Pensacola where he made a mander, 13th Combat Sustainment Support diums. full recovery. Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infan- Besides being home of the Los Angeles Chief Thompson began his career in law en- try Division; Chief, Logistics Division, Special Dodgers, the stadium has played host to the forcement seven years ago, and he is quoted Operations Command, Joint Forces Command Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 1980 as saying, ‘‘I always wanted to do something (SOCJFCOM), SOCOM, Suffolk, Va.; and, and the Olympic Games’ baseball competition to help people.’’ His actions serve as a model most recently, graduate of the Air War Col- in 1984. The eight-team competition during the for others, and also show that public servants lege, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 1984 Olympic Games marked baseball’s are never truly off duty. While we often take While at Anniston Army Depot, he safely greatest involvement in the Olympic Games to their service for granted, it can truly be a helped execute millions of direct labor hours that point. The Olympic spirit returned to Los blessing when they are nearby in our time of while helping overhaul and maintain our na- Angeles again in 1991, as Dodger Stadium need. While Chief Thompson may not have tion’s critical combat equipment. His hands-on hosted the Opening Ceremonies for the United been wearing his badge at the time of the inci- leadership for the workforce helped ensure our States Olympic Festival. In 2004, the Olympic dent, his actions reflect a man who wears the nation’s military was provided the best pos- Torch relay in Los Angeles concluded at motto ‘‘to protect and serve’’ in his heart. sible equipment available to keep them as Dodger Stadium as Rafer Johnson lit the caul- This incident also illustrates the importance safe as possible while allowing them to ac- dron at Chavez Ravine. of being trained in CPR. One may never use complish their vital mission. Dodger Stadium has also been the site of the skill; however, when faced with a crisis sit- Mr. Speaker, we will miss Colonel Sullivan numerous non-baseball major events. On Sep- uation, it may mean the difference between in Anniston, but wish him the very best. VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:52 Aug 01, 2012 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A31JY8.033 E31JYPT1 pwalker on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS.