E 688 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 24, 1995 A TRIPLE-A DIAMOND IN THE ‘‘It had some validity because it is based theme of ‘‘it’s about time’’ and still one of ROUGH on kind of a model, but it does not apply to the best entertainment values in town, a be- any single city.’’ mused McKernan said. And that is one reason the city is embark- It was the first price hike in eight years. HON. BILL RICHARDSON ing this year on its own SWAG that will In about four weeks, the minor league boys OF NEW MEXICO measure the impact of the Dukes all by of summer will strut their stuff in what IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES themselves, Theuson said. promises to be an excellent and perhaps Friday, March 24, 1995 There is one given: the Dukes provide one record-setting year. of the most affordable family entertainment Oh yeah, and the bottom line looks good Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, as the offerings anywhere, and it doesn’t happen ac- again for the successful business that is the chaos of major league baseball's labor dispute cidentally. Dukes. continues to unfold, the spirit of baseball is ‘‘McKernan deliberately does keep the ‘‘We do all right . . . we survive in spite of alive and well in minor league baseball and prices down so that it can appeal to the fam- ourselves,’’ McKernan said. ily. He really does understand what he is the 1994 Pacific Coast league champion Albu- f querque Dukes are ready for the new season. doing. He understands the difference between the types of pricing policies.’’ Regardless of the outcome of the major Thueson said he has tried over the years to COMMENDING THE HEROIC AC- league strike, the Albuquerque Dukes will con- explain McKernan’s expertise and success to TIONS OF SECRET SERVICE tinue to set the pace for well-managed profes- UNM athletics, and how it could benefit the AGENTS sional baseball businesses in the country. The university. Dukes boast 8 straight years of 300,000-plus ‘‘We talked to them about overall profit- in attendance, a record average gate for 1994, ability and tried to get them to understand HON. STENY H. HOYER a waiting list for advertisers, and competitive . . . but they never would.’’ OF MARYLAND McKernan, the barrel-chested and bearded teams every season. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The Dukes' general manager and president business and baseball guru prefers interest- ing conversation, which doesn’t include talk Friday, March 24, 1995 Pat McKernan personifies the enthusiasm and of pricing policies, corporate management, devotion that prevails in the hearts of all base- or even how the Dukes will do this year (‘‘I Mr. HOYER . Mr. Speaker, as ranking mem- ball fans. By combining old-fashioned busi- don’t know,’’ he says). ber of the House Treasury, Postal Service and ness sense and community support, Pat McKernan likes to ask your age, get an an- General Government Appropriations Sub- McKernan provides one of the most affordable swer, then add, ‘‘Oh, you just look old.’’ He committee, I rise today to commend nine family entertainment offerings in New Mexico. also enjoys inquiring, ‘‘Your second mar- members of the U.S. Secret Service for their I recommend to all my colleagues the fol- riage?’’ and how you managed to screw up heroic efforts in helping rescue almost 2 lowing article about Mr. McKernan and the such a promising job elsewhere to end up dozen individuals from a burning building in Dukes which appeared in the Albuquerque here. Washington, DC. But the Dukes’ resident optimist, wearing Business Times on March 6, 1995. I believe a ‘‘what, me worry?’’ expression, did talk Many Americans view the role of agents of all Members will be encouraged to see that about how just about anything that could the U.S. Secret Service as that of protecting baseball and business can coexist for the happen with the strike should benefit the or- the President of the United States and the good of the community and the sport. ganization, and all minor league ball for that members of his CabinetÐwhich it is. However, ALB.’S BOOMING BASEBALL BIZ matter. on March 14, officers Thomas F. Owens, Jr., (By Michael G. Murphy) If the strike continues without replace- Gregory S. Cleckner, Paolo Palumbo, Phillip ments, it’s the only game in town. ALBUQUERQUE.—Considered a gem—if not M. Bernal, George L. Sax, Kenneth J. Bouley, If the strike continues with replacements, the gem—of Triple-A diamonds in the rough, Kenneth B. Parsons, and Sergeants William S. it’s arguably going to be a better brand of the Albuquerque Dukes are buffing the Rick and Charles F. Kuzmovich of the Uni- bleachers, lifting new light towers, and mak- the only game in town. And if the strike is settled, any residual formed Division of the Secret Service, went ing ready for ’95. beyond their assigned duties and helped to Sometimes hidden by its on-field sports fan resentment at the major league level— success, the local slice of America’s pastime live, on TV or radio—can only boost Dukes’ evacuate 21 residents from an engulfed build- ranks year after year as one of the most pro- attendance, and the listening and occasional ing on 14th Street NW in Washington, DC. lific and well-managed professional baseball viewing audience. The Secret Service officers on the scene, businesses in the United States. It is a win-win-win situation, McKernan even prior to the arrival of the fire department, This year—strike or settlement in the ma- said. not only went door to door and helped resi- jors—stands to be yet another winning sea- There is an ‘‘understanding’’ among base- ball owners, major league players, and the dents leave the structure, but they also as- son in terms of gate, advertising, and general sisted a number of individuals who were bang for entertainment buck. minor league players to make sure minor The Dukes’ boast eight straight years of leaguers don’t endanger their future careers trapped in windows and were afraid to leave 300,000 plus in attendance, a record average by getting in the middle of the strike, the structure. gate for ’94, a waiting list for advertisers, McKernan said. Mr. Speaker, the quick-thinking efforts by not to mention competitive teams every sea- Management has no intention of ‘‘twisting these nine Secret Service agents undoubtedly son. any arms’’ to try to get Triple A players to helped to save the lives of a number of indi- Business and the support of the commu- become replacements, he said. viduals and I hope my colleagues join me in ‘‘They understand the dilemma. And we nity has been wonderful, said President and saluting their heroic efforts. General Manager Pat McKernan. understand the dilemma far more than the Economic impact is not a useful phrase for players’ association.’’ f him (‘‘They make those numbers up, don’t If the strike continues, they will report to they?’’) but reluctantly, has led the charge. the Dukes, probably right before the first CONGRATULATIONS TO JUDGE He has been flanked by Ron Nelson, presi- game, April 6. NICHOLAS TSOUCALAS dent of the Uptown Association, and Cathy There is one possible negative, and that Leyendecker, board member of the Mark has to do with the chance that Congress, in Twain Neighborhood Association. screwing around with baseball’s federal anti- HON. THOMAS J. MANTON Leyendecker has a different view for future trust exemption, will accidentally repeal a OF NEW YORK projects, but sided with Salazar and Nelson portion that allows major league financial in a uniform front he will point to the parent support for the minors. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES organization of the minors—the National As- Still, McKernan, whose photo should be Friday, March 24, 1995 sociation of Professional Baseball Leagues right next to laid-back in your Webster’s, (NAPBL)—which does dabble in financial fig- has not been losing any sleep. As he said, it Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ures. is not something he can do much about, so join the Queens Borough Lodge No. 878 in According to a recent NAPBL model, an he is not going to worry about it. honoring Judge Nicholas Tsoucalas, Judge of average Triple-A club generates about $13 His cluttered office includes the Optimists the United States Court of International Trade, million a year in everything from hotels, Creed on his door, a Far Side calendar on his for his service to his community, his County, meals, travel, local goods and services, desk, a fish tank, and a photocopied motto and the Second Department. scouts, umpires, and salaries. that the ‘‘floggings will continue until mo- Now, that is a SWAG or Scientific Wild Ass rale improves.’’ A native of New York City, Judge Guess in NASA parlance, said Neil Thueson, The Dukes enjoy phenomenal community Tsoucalas, began his education in the public an associate planner with the city of Albu- support. Last year, when they announced a elementary and secondary schools of New querque who also teaches a UNM market re- ticket price increase of $1, local media pub- York City. He continued his higher education search class in sports administration. lished the story with variations on the of Kent State University where he received a