sign in sign up
<<
Home , 1984 World Series, Comerica Park, Ernie Harwell, Kirk Gibson

September 13, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8623 careers of many baseball’s greats, in- Senator LEVIN, to honor , Whereas the renamed cluding the soon-to-retire Travis the voice of the Tigers. As the visiting radio booth in the Jacobs Field Fryman, now with the Cleveland Indi- Tiger fans across the country know, press box the ‘‘Ernie Harwell Visiting Radio ans. Fryman, one of Ernie’s favorite Ernie Harwell is retiring this year Booth’’ in commemoration of his career; players in Detroit, presented him with Whereas Sunday, September 15, 2002, is after broadcasting major league base- ‘‘Ernie Harwell Day’’ at Park in an Indians hat and jersey during the ball for 55 years, the last 42 of which Detroit, ; and Tigers’ last trip to Cleveland. During were in Detroit. Whereas Detroit Tiger fans all over the that series, Indians officials named the Ernie Harwell has broadcast some of country have fond memories of Ernie visiting radio booth in the Jacobs Field the great moments in baseball, includ- Harwell, summer, and Tiger victories: Now, press box the ‘‘Ernie Harwell Visiting ing the debut of , Bobby therefore, be it Radio Booth.’’ Thompson’s ‘‘shot heard round the Resolved, That the Senate— The true devotion of Tigers fans to world’’ and ’s famous no (1) honors and celebrates the achievements Ernie Harwell was made loud and clear hitter against the Yankees in 1958. of Ernie Harwell; when the Tigers’ then-new manage- (2) wishes Ernie Harwell good health and In addition, he also called the Tigers’ happiness in his retirement; and ment informed Ernie that 1991 would be last two victories in 1968 (3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to his last season as the Tigers’ broad- and 1984. He also brought to life the transmit a copy of this resolution to Ernie caster. They said they wanted to go performances of some of baseball’s Harwell. with a younger and newer voice. Fol- greats, like , Kirk f lowing a public outcry, the Motor City Gibson, , Denny McLain, Alan brought home its familiar voice in Trammel and many others. AMENDING SECTION 5307 OF TITLE time for the 1993 season. He has been Tigers fans have such fond memories 49, CODE with Detroit ever since. of Ernie Harwell, it is hard to believe Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, by the au- Ernie’s achievements have been rec- that he will not be in the broadcast thority of the majority leader, I ask ognized on both the local and national booth next year. Since Sunday, Sep- unanimous consent that the Senate stage. He has been voted Michigan tember 15 is Ernie Harwell Day at now proceed to the consideration of Sportscaster of the Year 17 times and in Detroit, Senator H.R. 5157 just received from the House is a member of the Michigan Sports LEVIN and I wanted to take up and pass and at the desk. Hall of Fame. In 1981 he was just the this resolution congratulating Ernie on The PRESIDING OFFICER. The fifth broadcaster to be elected to Base- his great career and wishing him the clerk will report the bill by title. ball’s Hall of Fame. In 1988 he became best of luck in retirement. The legislative clerk read as follows: a member of the I hope my colleagues will support and the following year he was elected A bill (H.R. 5157) to amend section 5307 of this resolution. title 49, United States Code, to allow transit to the National Sportscasters Hall of Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask unan- systems in urbanized areas that, for the first Fame. imous consent that the resolution and time, exceeded 200,000 in population accord- Ernie’s talents extend beyond the the preamble be agreed to en bloc, that ing to the 2000 census to retain flexibility in microphone. He is an accomplished au- the motion to reconsider be laid upon the use of Federal transit formula grants in thor and songwriter. He has authored the table, and that any statements re- fiscal year 2003, and for other purposes. such books as Tuned to Baseball, Dia- lating thereto be printed in the There being no objection, the Senate mond Gems and The Babe Signed My RECORD. proceeded to consider the bill. Shoe, and coauthored or contributed to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask unan- several other books about the game of objection, it is so ordered. imous consent that the bill be read baseball. In addition to his literary The resolution (S. Res. 327) was three times, passed, the motion to re- works, Ernie has also had more than 50 agreed to. consider be laid upon the table, and of his songs professionally recorded. The preamble was agreed to. any statements be printed in the Considering that he has announced The resolution, with its preamble, RECORD, without further intervening games over an unprecedented seven reads as follows: action or debate. decades, Ernie will always be remem- S. RES. 327 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without bered best as a broadcaster; however, Whereas Ernie Harwell worked as a Major objection, it is so ordered. his personality and earnestness have League Baseball broadcaster for 55 years and The bill (H.R. 5157) was read the third endeared him to generations of lis- as the signature voice of the time and passed. teners as a friend. To say that Ernie for 42 of those years; Harwell is beloved by the citizens of Whereas Ernie Harwell’s voice brought the f game of baseball to life for Tiger fans, and he Michigan would be an understatement, INTERNATIONAL DISABILITY AND which is why it comes with great re- was voted Michigan Sportscaster of the year 17 times; VICTIMS OF LANDMINES, CIVIL gret that we are marking his retire- Whereas Ernie Harwell had such a love of STRIFE AND WARFARE ASSIST- ment. baseball that, upon meeting Babe Ruth as a ANCE ACT OF 2001 Ernie Harwell once said that a suc- child, he had ‘‘The Babe’’ autograph his shoe Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, at the re- cessful play-by-play man ‘‘should have because he did not have paper; the enthusiasm of a fan, the back- Whereas Ernie Harwell called the 1968 and quest of the distinguished majority ground knowledge of a writer, the re- that crowned the Tigers leader and the assistant leader, I ask flexes of a ballplayer, and the impar- world champions; unanimous consent that the Senate tiality of an .’’ I think he has Whereas in 1948, Ernie Harwell became the proceed to the immediate consider- exemplified these qualities, and he only broadcaster to be traded for a player ation of Calendar No. 528, S. 1777. brought so much more to the game. when , general of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Brooklyn Dodgers, traded Cliff Dapper to the Ernie Harwell is a Detroit hero and a clerk will report the bill by title. Crackers for Harwell; The legislative clerk read as follows: baseball legend. While some of the Ti- Whereas Ernie Harwell’s memorable mo- gers’ recent years have been forget- ments include broadcasting the debut of A bill (S. 1777) to authorize assistance for table, Ernie Harwell will never be. Willie Mays in 1951, Bobby Thomson’s ‘‘shot individuals with disabilities in foreign coun- As much as we will miss Ernie, we heard ’round the world’’ that same year, and tries, including victims of landmines and wish him well as he begins his life Hoyt Wilhelm’s no-hitter against the New other victims of civil strife and warfare, and away from the microphone. I join the York Yankees in 1958; for other purposes. citizens of Michigan in thanking Ernie Whereas on August 2, 1981, Ernie Harwell There being no objection, the Senate Harwell for his decades of outstanding became the fifth broadcaster to be inducted proceeded to consider the bill, which service to the Detroit Tigers and the into the Baseball Hall of Fame; had been reported from the Committee Whereas Ernie Harwell brought to life, on Foreign Relations with amendments broadcasting community. I know my through the medium of radio, the perform- colleagues in the Senate will join me in ances of some of baseball’s greats, such as as follows: supporting this resolution in his honor. Sparky Anderson, , Al Kaline, [Strike the parts shown in black Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I Denny McLain, , and many brackets and insert the parts shown in rise to submit a resolution, along with others; italic]

VerDate Sep 04 2002 00:33 Sep 14, 2002 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13SE6.090 S13PT1