Congressional Record—House H4594
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H4594 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 15, 2002 underneath the city of Boston is named after Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tion offered by the gentleman from the Splendid Splinter—the first of many ex- support of House Resolution 482, legislation Connecticut (Mr. SHAYS) that the pected tributes and memorials. Baseball fans that honors one of baseball’s finest players, House suspend the rules and agree to throughout New England and across the na- and one of America’s finest citizens, Ted Wil- the resolution, H. Res. 482. tion now join in mourning the loss of Ted Wil- liams. I also want to commend the gentleman The question was taken. liams—the greatest hitter of all time and a from Massachusetts, Mr. MARKEY for offering The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the man of great dignity and character. this fitting resolution. opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of And I think I speak for Red Sox fans every- Mr. Speaker, Ted Williams was respected those present have voted in the affirm- where in encouraging this year’s team to win by his peers, admired by his successors, and ative. the World Series in Ted Williams’ honor. A adored by his fans. His work-ethic was second Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, on that I guy can always hope, Mr. Speaker. to none, and he toiled day in and day out, demand the yeas and nays. Mr. Speaker, again I would like to thank Mr. dreaming that one day people would see him The yeas and nays were ordered. MARKEY and my other colleagues in the Mas- and remark: ‘‘There goes the greatest hitter The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- sachusetts delegation for sponsoring this reso- who ever lived.’’ ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the lution. I ask Members to support this bill. His wiry frame and pure talent earned him Chair’s prior announcement, further Mrs. THURMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today the nickname ‘‘The Splendid Splinter,’’ and proceedings on this motion will be to honor the life of a great American, Ted Wil- Ted Williams never failed to live up to that postponed. liams and in strong support of a resolution that reputation on the field. f Williams is best remembered for batting the House with my support passed earlier this CONGRATULATING DETROIT RED afternoon. .406 in 1941. In the sixty years since that tre- mendous season, no one has approached the WINGS FOR WINNING 2002 STAN- I would also like to bring to my colleagues’ LEY CUP CHAMPIONSHIP attention legislation that I am introducing to milestone. name a post office in Hernando, Florida the That 1941 season typified Williams’ su- Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I move to ‘‘Ted Williams Post Office Building.’’ preme devotion to the sport of baseball. Be- suspend the rules and agree to the reso- We all know about Mr. Williams’ legendary fore the final day of the season, Williams had lution (H. Res. 452) congratulating the baseball achievements, such as hitting .406 in secured a .400 batting average. Yet he re- Detroit Red Wings for winning the 2002 1941 and hitting a home run in his last at bat. fused to sit out that day’s double-header, play- Stanley Cup Championship. The Clerk read as follows: We also know about his dedication to our ing both games and batting 6 for 8, raising his average 6 points. ES country, which he showed by interrupting his H. R . 452 Ted Williams’ dedication to the game of baseball career TWICE, to serve in World War Resolved, That the House of Representa- baseball was evident as he continued to excel tives— II and Korea. at an age when most ballplayers would have (1) congratulates— However, I am her to talk about what Mr. long since hung up their cleats. At the age of (A) the Detroit Red Wings for winning the Williams did for Citrus County in my district, 40, he added his sixth and final batting title to 2002 Stanley Cup Championship and for their where he lived from the mid-1980’s until his his long list of accomplishments, becoming the outstanding performance during the entire passing earlier this month. oldest player to ever lead the league in hitting. 2001–2002 National Hockey League season; As most of you know, Mr. Williams was a Williams was also a master of dramatic fin- and fabulous fisherman, and he first came to Cit- (B) all of the 16 National Hockey League ishes, as he closed out his career in Fenway teams that played in the postseason; rus County in 1950 for that reason. However, Park with a home run in his last at-bat. It was it wasn’t until over 30 years later that he (2) recognizes the achievements of the Red a fitting end for Boston’s greatest and most Wings players, coaches, and support staff began to leave his mark on the County. beloved baseball player of all time. who worked hard and were instrumental in In 1982, Mr. Williams was named a mar- While Teddy Ballgame will always be re- bringing the Stanley Cup back to the city of keting consultant for the Citrus Hills residential membered as a baseball player, some of his Detroit; development, lent his name to the project and, greatest accomplishments came off the field. (3) commends the Carolina Hurricanes for a most importantly, moved to the County shortly Williams’ devotion to baseball was matched valiant performance during the playoff finals afterward. This helped bring thousands of only by his devotion to his country. He acted and for showing their strength and skill as a transplanted New Englanders who followed his team; and as a true role model and hero during a time (4) directs the Clerk of the House of Rep- playing career to retire in Citrus County. of war, sacrificing three years in the prime of Mr. Williams put Citrus County in the na- resentatives to transmit an enrolled copy of his career to serve in the United States Ma- this resolution to— tional spotlight in 1994 with the opening of the rines in World War II from 1943–1945. Seven (A) the Red Wings players; Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of years later, he again left the baseball diamond (B) Head Coach Scotty Bowman; and Fame, which is located in Citrus Hills. The to serve his country, this time in the Korean (C) President and team owner Mike Ilitch. event brought plenty of celebrities to the area, War. And even though his time in the military The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- such as Joe DiMaggio, Muhammad Ali and undoubtedly cost him some of his best playing ant to the rule, the gentleman from Bob Costas, who served as master of cere- days, he never regretted his service. In fact, Connecticut (Mr. SHAYS) and the gen- monies. Williams often counted his enlistment as a Ma- tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. The Museum would have an incredible ef- rine as one of his greatest accomplishments. TIERNEY) each will control 20 minutes. fect on tourism in the area—which continues In addition to his heroic sacrifices as a Ma- The Chair recognizes the gentleman to this day. Despite his failing health, Mr. Wil- rine, Williams will be remembered as the first from Connecticut (Mr. SHAYS). liams appeared before 2,000 fans at the Mu- Hall of Famer to have the courage to insist GENERAL LEAVE seum’s yearly hall of fame induction ceremony upon the inclusion of Negro League stars in Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- in February. Cooperstown. And we will be forever grateful imous consent that all Members may Everyone in Citrus County—baseball fans or to Williams for his generous support of the have 5 legislative days within which to not—had tremendous pride in the fact that one Jimmy Fund, a local charity that aids the fight revise and extend their remarks on H. of the world’s greatest baseball players lived against cancer. Res. 452. in the area. However, he wasn’t just a great Mr. Speaker, when Ted Williams passed The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ballplayer—he was a great American, and he away on July 5th, America lost a baseball leg- objection to the request of the gen- left his mark on Citrus County. end. But we also lost a man with courage, tleman from Connecticut? The last day of the 1941 season, Mr. Wil- dedication, and desire rarely equaled. It was There was no objection. liams was hitting .400 and was given the op- these qualities that allowed Ted Williams to Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- portunity by his manager to sit out the game accomplish his lifelong goal. For when Ted self such time as I may consume. in order to preserve this monumental achieve- Williams, the Splendid Splinter, passed away, Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to have an ment. Of course, he did not sit, and finished there was one phrase that was on everyone’s opportunity to salute the Detroit Red going 6 for 8 in both games of a double- lips: ‘‘There goes the greatest hitter who ever Wings and will just point out that my header. lived.’’ statement was written by a staff mem- Ted Williams would continue that dedication Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield ber who does not even happen to be a when he arrived in Citrus County. Indeed, the back the balance of my time. Detroit Red Wings fan, but he has done last player to bat over .400 batted 1.000 in Cit- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr.