Congressional Record—Senate S1956
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S1956 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 9, 2006 Research at the University of Cali- ability to hit the pitch three feet out- of our responsibility to carry on that fornia, Irvine. The Reeve-Irvine Re- side the strike zone that made him one legacy. search Center is the premier research of the greatest baseball players to If Kirby were alive he would want all and education center working to find grace the game. This honor was quick- of us to honor him with his trademark innovative new treatments for spinal ly rewarded in 2001, when at the age of sign-of-the cross and promise to make cord injury. I was proud to work with 37 he was inducted into the Hall of the most out of life as he did. As Kirby Christopher and Dana to support thera- Fame and became the third youngest remarked with his typical modesty peutic stem cell research, which holds living inductee, behind Sandy Koufax after his baseball career ended pre- the promise to treat a vast array of and Lou Gehrig. maturely: diseases, including juvenile diabetes, Kirby Puckett’s history-making ca- Kirby Puckett’s going to be all right. Don’t Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, heart dis- reer with the Twins began May 8, 1984. worry about me. I’ll show up, and I’ll have a ease, and cancer as well as spinal cord In his first game he became one of nine smile on my face. The only thing I won’t injuries. players in the history of baseball to have is this uniform on. But you guys can Dana received numerous awards in collect four hits in their first game. have the memories of what I did when I did recognition of her strength, courage For the next twelve seasons Kirby have it on. and positive attitude: the American Puckett and his now retired No. 34 car- Kirby, we know you are all right in Cancer Society’s Mother of the Year ried the Minnesota Twins out from ob- heaven right now, but we are not all Award in 2005; the Visiting Nurses As- scurity to two World Series Titles in right. We loved you as a player, but sociation’s Caregiver’s Courage Award; 1987 and 1991. He made ten straight all- most of all we loved how you always and she was named one of America’s star appearances from 1986 until 1995, had a smile on your face. You made us Outstanding Women of 1995 by ‘‘CBS and won six gold gloves over his career. believe in ourselves. On behalf of Min- This Morning.’’ Perhaps the defining moment in Kirby nesota and baseball fans everywhere, In August, 2005, America was upset to Puckett’s legendary career came dur- thank you for the memories. You will learn that Dana Reeve had lung cancer. ing Game Six of the 1991 World Series. not be forgotten. Dana and Christopher were both non- Puckett hit a walk off home run in the f eleventh inning, becoming the ninth smokers. As always, Dana remained an RAILROAD COMPETITION ACT 2005 inspiration. In a May 2005 interview, player in history to hit a walk off she said ‘‘Now, more than ever, I feel home run in a World Series game. As Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise Chris with me as I face this challenge,’’ Kirby rounded second base and pumped today to express my support for a fair she said. ‘‘As always, I look to him as his fist into the air, he transcended the and competitive rail system. Our agri- the ultimate example of defying the game itself and took his seat among cultural economy cannot operate the odds with strength, courage, and hope the greatest players to swing the bat. way it should. We cannot receive the in the face of life’s adversities.’’ She Tragically, Kirby was forced to retire materials we need at a decent price and also said ‘‘There’s a formula Chris and from baseball on July 12, 1996, due to we cannot distribute our products at a I used all the time. When you least feel complications with glaucoma. In his fair price. like it, do something for someone else. retirement Puckett continued the We need to work on Federal rail pol- You forget about your own situation. It charitable work he began as a player, icy that encourages competition. gives you a purpose, as opposed being raising money for glaucoma prevention Farmers, businesses and consumers sorrowful and lonely. It makes me feel and children’s charities, perhaps most would all benefit from this policy. better when things are too hard for famously through his sponsoring of ce- Montana’s rail infrastructure is con- me.’’ lebrity billiards tournaments to benefit trolled by a single rail carrier control- Dana and Christopher showed a deep the Children’s Heart Fund. He won ling over 96 percent of all rail miles, love for each other, their family and both the Branch Rickey Award, 1993, over 95 percent all grain elevator and for humanity. They will always be re- and the Roberto Clemente Man of the terminal sites, and moving more than membered. We must renew our efforts Year Award, 1996, for his community 95 percent all wheat from the State. to find cures for spinal cord injuries service. There is more control by a single and cancer and to advance stem cell re- Kirby’s accomplishments were not railroad in Montana than any other search on their behalf. predestined. Kirby willed his success State. The rail carrier controls and dic- Dana Reeve is survived by her son from sheer attitude and hard work. He tates the rail rates in all movements Will; father, Dr. Charles Morosini; sis- was born March 14, 1961, in Chicago, IL. from Montana eastbound or westbound. ters Deborah Morosini and Adrienne Kirby grew up in Chicago’s notorious As a result, agricultural shippers in Morosini Heilman; and two step- Cabrini Green Housing Projects, ‘‘the some parts of the United States are children, Matthew and Alexandra place where hope died.’’ Despite the paying the highest rail freight rates in Exton Reeve. daily barrage of drugs and gangs that exchange for sporadic and unreliable f surrounded him, Kirby went on to be- service. It’s unacceptable. And it’s not come an All-American at Calumet High right that our Montana producers are HONORING THE LIFE OF KIRBY School. While playing in a college base- expected to do business under these PUCKETT ball league in Illinois, Puckett caught conditions. Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, it is the eye of some pro scouts, although he Our shippers need a clearly defined with great sadness that I rise to honor surely caught the ears of the scouts as means for securing reliable service at a the life of Kirby Puckett, whose exu- well with his colorful clubhouse humor. reasonable rate. It’s fair. And it’s the berant love of the game made him one Soon thereafter in 1982, Kirby Puckett right thing to do. of the best-loved players in baseball was a first round draft pick of the Min- Agricultural shippers are unique be- history. For many baseball fans, young nesota Twins. cause the party that bears the cost of and old alike, Kirby Puckett was the As I said before, Kirby Puckett was rail transportation—the farmer—is not reason they picked up a baseball bat not gifted with the greatest baseball the party that negotiates the rate for and kicked up their foot as the pitch talent. He did not physically dominate that transportation—the grain eleva- approached. Kirby Puckett is Min- the game, but he did dominate it men- tor. nesota baseball. tally. Ever since Kirby, little league Further, the farmer has no ability to Amazingly, Kirby was not the strong- coaches have always had to tell their pass on the costs associated with trans- est, fastest, tallest, or most gifted kids that they could only swing like portation to the customer. baseball player ever. All you had to do Kirby if they made the major leagues. To ship a 26 car shipment of wheat was watch Kirby swing at a pitch three The problem is that in order to make from Medicine Lake, MT, to Portland feet outside of the strike zone to under- the Majors, those same coaches had to is $3.42 per mile. To ship a 26 car ship- stand that he did not succeed because tell the kids they had to work and play ment of wheat from Commerce City, of his mechanics. It was his gravity- as hard as Kirby did and have fun doing CO, to Portland is $2.61 per mile and defying leaps in center field, his it. That is his legacy to baseball; he Atchison, KS, to Portland is $2.34 per hustling out an infield single, and his put the fun into baseball. It is now all mile. VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:08 Mar 10, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G09MR6.040 S09MRPT1 jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with SENATE.