12953 Hon. Jo Bonner Hon. Xavier Becerra
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July 31, 2012 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 158, Pt. 9 12953 the current reality that even discussing the a special determination on the part of the la- the most attended and highly regarded sta- issue of reducing poverty is a luxury. Like dies from Alabama to take home the trophy. diums in America. Dodger Stadium has hosted support for the arts, it is off the table during Down early, Alabama came back to score four more than 143 million fans since it opened its these difficult times. Workers have largely lost their past generous instincts about so- runs, and at 12:31 a.m., Alabama pitcher doors in 1962. The club topped the 3.85 mil- cial programs after a generation of stagnant Jackie Traina struck out a Sooners player to lion attendance mark in 2007, which stands as wages. Slightly further up the ladder, fami- end the game. the all-time franchise record. lies who were until recently considered With its 5 to 4 win in the Women’s College Ever since Brooklyn Dodger President Wal- themselves solidly middle class now are World Series in Oklahoma City, the Crimson ter O’Malley decided to move his team to Los scrambling to maintain their standard of liv- Tide softball team also garnered the University Angeles in 1958 and bring Major League ing—and even their jobs. of Alabama its fourth national championship of Baseball to California for the first time, this Yet, the United States is still a wealthy the year—a school record. Alabama also country, by all measures among the wealthi- stadium has been home to some of the most est in the world. And it clearly has the re- made history as the first Southeastern Con- memorable events in Dodger history. Many sources to provide a decent standard of liv- ference team to clinch the national softball Dodger fans still recall Sandy Koufax’s perfect ing for its workers and citizens, its children title. game in 1965, the rise of Fernandomania, and and elderly. Other countries do so without Since the creation of the Southeastern Con- Kirk Gibson’s walk-off home run in Game 1 of much fuss. We, on the other hand, have ference (SEC) softball tournament in 1997, the 1988 World Series. rationalized increasing concentrations of Alabama has claimed five SEC titles, including wealth and income as somehow producing re- Since opening its gates, Dodger Stadium the 2012 season. The team ended their year has hosted eight World Series and the Los sults that will be better for everyone. At the with an impressive 60–8 record overall; 23–5 same time, our expenditures on the things Angeles Dodgers have won four World Cham- that might change the circumstances of av- in the SEC. pionships, eight National League pennants, 11 erage Americans are meager by inter- This was the eighth time the University of National League Western Division crowns and national standards. Elementary and sec- Alabama has traveled to the Women’s College two National League Wild Card berths. From ondary education, an historical strength, is World Series. This year’s team is dominated 1992 to 1996, the Dodgers set a major league being squeezed by budgetary problems at the by freshmen and sophomores who proved that baseball record with five consecutive players state and local level. College aid and support heart and hard work can make the difference. for public higher education is shrinking. being named Rookie of the year: Eric Karros, The victorious 2012 team members are Mike Piazza, Raul Mondesi, Hideo Nomo and And, retraining programs for those who have Chaunsey Bell, Catcher; Jackey Branham, In- lost their jobs due to the globalization of Todd Hollandsworth. manufacturing and markets are nowhere fielder; Kayla Braud, Outfielder; Courtney Dodger Stadium has awed spectators with a close to what is available, for example, with- Conley, Infielder; Keima Davis, Outfielder; breathtaking view of downtown Los Angeles to in the European Union. Kendall Dawson, Catcher; Jennifer Fenton, the south; green, tree-lined Elysian hills to the Overall, the United States has achieved Outfielder; Olivia Gibson, Catcher; Danae north and east; and the San Gabriel Moun- levels of inequality not seen for generations Hays, Infielder; Kaila Hunt, Infielder; Ryan and now ranks near the top among industrial tains beyond. Walter O’Malley and architect Iamurri, Infielder; Leslie Jury, Pitcher; Amanda Emil Praeger designed the 56,000-seat sta- nations in inequality. These are not trivial Locke, Utility; Jazlyn Lunceford, Outfielder; statistics for they reflect very different per- dium, the second privately financed ballpark in Jordan Patterson, Catcher/Infielder; Cassie ceptions of what is important in the world of baseball history. Its wavy roof atop each out- politics and government. Perhaps it’s not a Reilly-Boccia, Outfielder/First Base; Danielle field pavilion, cantilevered grandstands and coincidence that those who can afford it pay Richard, Infielder; Lauren Sewell, Pitcher; unique terraced-earthworks parking lot behind for our campaigns and reap the rewards Jadyn Spencer, Utility; and Jackie Traina, the main stands make Dodger Stadium one of while average citizens, frustrated and angry, Pitcher/Utility. the most innovatively designed baseball sta- turn against their government because they The coaching and support staff is led by diums. don’t see it helping them. Facts seem irrele- Head Coach Patrick Murphy. Assisting him are Besides being home of the Los Angeles vant; the U.S. has lower tax rates than al- Alyson Habetz, Associate Head Coach; Steph- most all of the other industrialized countries Dodgers, the stadium has played host to the anie VanBrakle, Assistant Coach; Adam Ar- and government employment has dropped Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 1980 bour, Volunteer Assistant Coach; Kate Harris, sharply in the past few years, yet the expla- and the Olympic Games’ baseball competition Director of Operations; and Nick Seiler, Ath- nation for hard times is that the government in 1984. The eight-team competition during the letic Trainer. is taxing too much and spending too much. 1984 Olympic Games marked baseball’s In this hostile environment it may be no On behalf of the people of Alabama and my wonder that new programs to help the poor colleagues in the Alabama delegation, I wish greatest involvement in the Olympic Games to get short shrift. In this Darwinian environ- to extend personal congratulations to Coach that point. The Olympic spirit returned to Los ment, we simply can’t afford to help them. Patrick Murphy, the coaching staff and the la- Angeles again in 1991, as Dodger Stadium It’s past time to connect the dots and see dies of the University of Alabama Softball hosted the Opening Ceremonies for the United that by ignoring the poor we undermine the States Olympic Festival. In 2004, the Olympic welfare of everyone in the 99 percent living Team for their tremendous accomplishment. Along with a large fan base that traveled to Torch relay in Los Angeles concluded at from pay check to pay check. We must re- Dodger Stadium as Rafer Johnson lit the caul- vive our generous national nature. And more Oklahoma City to cheer on the Crimson Tide selfishly come to see that we might find our- was University of Alabama Athletic Director dron at Chavez Ravine. selves in their shoes. It may be that the poor Mal Moore and Interim President Dr. Judith L. Dodger Stadium has also been the site of will always be with us, but that doesn’t Bonner. Roll Tide! numerous non-baseball major events. On Sep- mean it’s OK to ignore them. tember 16, 1987 Pope John Paul II celebrated f f Mass at Dodger Stadium to a crowd of 63,000 IN HONOR OF DODGER STADIUM people. Entertainers from around the world HONORING THE NATIONAL CHAM- IN RECOGNITION OF ITS 50TH have performed here as well, such as Ma- PION UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA ANNIVERSARY donna, The Beatles and Michael Jackson. SOFTBALL TEAM Dodger Stadium also staged one of the HON. JO BONNER HON. XAVIER BECERRA world’s greatest entertainment events in 1994, OF CALIFORNIA when internationally-renowned tenors Jose OF ALABAMA Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Pavarotti reunited for a spectacular concert Tuesday, July 31, 2012 Tuesday, July 31, 2012 performance ‘‘Encore—The Three Tenors’’ Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to with conductor Zubin Mehta. the University of Alabama’s softball team honor one of Los Angeles’ greatest landmarks, Without a doubt, Dodger Stadium is one of which captured its first national championship Dodger Stadium, home of the Los Angeles America’s treasured venues. It continues to be during a down to the wire late night victory on Dodgers. The 2012 season marks the 50th a major part of the history and tradition of the June 6, 2012. anniversary of Dodger Stadium. Dodgers. It has been the home of one of pro- The Tide was able to triumph over the Okla- It ranks as the third oldest, continually-used fessional sports’ most storied franchises, a homa Sooners after a rain delay brought out park in Major League Baseball and still one of destination for a worldwide fan base and an VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:15 May 18, 2017 Jkt 019102 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR12\E31JY2.000 E31JY2 jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with BOUND RECORD.