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October 16, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2145 IN RECOGNITION OF THE 2007 CON- cans. The information shared by the speakers spite continually loosing players to their parent GRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS was informative and provided another outlet affiliate, Major League Baseball’s Oakland A’s, FOUNDATION ANNUAL LEGISLA- for critics of the war to openly express their to replenish their injured roster, the River Cats TIVE CONFERENCE—THE IRAQ views. overcame more then 180 roster changes to WAR: THE COSTS, THE LESSONS, f win the championship. This meant that they AND THE FUTURE accomplished the feat by receiving contribu- CELEBRATING THE LAUNCH OF tions from numerous and sometimes unlikely UNIVISION’S NEW SHOW, ‘‘AL sources. No one epitomized this more then HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL PUNTO’’ OF NEW YORK Nick Blasi, who spent much of the season with IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Class–A Stockton before becoming a playoff HON. HILDA L. SOLIS catalyst and the Pacific Coast League’s Series Tuesday, October 16, 2007 OF CALIFORNIA MVP. Blasi hit a remarkable .457 in the play- Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES offs. to acknowledge the 2007 Congressional Black Tuesday, October 16, 2007 Throughout this roster shuffle, every mem- Caucus annual legislative conference, the Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ber of the 2007 River Cats demonstrated out- speakers who presented at the forum I hosted standing commitment to team play and hard on the war, and the reason I selected the war congratulate Univision on the launch of the new political news show ‘‘Al Punto.’’ work. Manager Tony DeFrancesco once again for an issue forum. was a steady mentor for his young and ever On September 28, 2007, I hosted a forum to ‘‘Al Punto’’ is paving the way to promote dialogue within the growing politically active changing roster. The River Cats featured address issues related to the costs, lessons some of baseball’s brightest prospects who and future of the Iraq war. I was honored to and conscious Latino community. For 1 hour every Sunday, the show will bring together are destined to become the stars of tomorrow. have as my speakers: Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, The roster was anchored by contributions from Reverend James Forbes, Congresswoman newsmakers, policymakers, business and po- litical leaders, or entertainers to talk about the recently promoted major leaguers: Daric Bar- BARBARA LEE, Eugene Robinson, Senator JIM contemporary issues that affect the Latino ton, Kurt Suzuki and Santiago Casilla, as well WEBB, and General Anthony Zinni. I thank as prospects Jason Perry, J.J. Furmaniak and each of them for taking time to share their community. The discussions will go beyond politics to include culture, science, and the Brad Knox. views on these important topics. I also wish to Under the leadership of President and CEO thank all of the people who attended the forum arts. Furthermore, ‘‘Al Punto’’ will address cur- rent events in Latin America which impact the Art Savage, the River Cats players reaffirmed and those who watched it live via the Internet. the front office’s commitment to the people of This is the fifth time in a row I held a forum Latino community at home. This show will work to enlighten and empower the Latino Sacramento. On the Opening Day of the sea- on the war for the annual legislative con- son, the River Cats unveiled the Mario ference. I decided once again to focus on the community, as it will provide them with vital in- formation on the current issues and news Encarnacion Humanitarian Award which will war for several reasons. There is a continuous annually honor a young student athlete who need to explain to the American people why events that are impacting their everyday lives. Again, I would like to recognize and con- shows a commitment to his or her teammates the war has not ceased yet. Americans are ut- and classmates. Furthermore, the River Cats terly confused about the politics as well as the gratulate Univision on the launch of ‘‘Al Punto’’ and for its contributions in educating the Foundation has been providing support to rationale for continuing. Day in and day out Sacramento non-profits that assist with youth Americans hear rhetoric versus solid withdraw Latino community on political issues. I wish it continued success. and family activities. The River Cats commit- plans and solutions. Americans are outraged ment to the community was reciprocated by f and tired of the loss of life and other human the Sacramento fans, as the River Cats led tragedies associated with fighting the war. The IN HONOR OF THE 2007 the Pacific Coast League in attendance for an human, financial, spiritual, and loss of reputa- SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS astounding 8th year in a row. 710,000 fans at- tion cost for our great country is immeas- tended River Cats 71 home contests this year, urable. I will continue to express my opposi- HON. DORIS O. MATSUI and since beginning play at Raley Field in tion to the war and work to bring it to an end. OF CALIFORNIA 2000, the River Cats have drawn over The forum speakers were phenomenal and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 6,000,000 fans. provided their ideas on how America got in the Madam Speaker, now that the Sacramento Tuesday, October 16, 2007 war and how America can get out. Specifi- River Cats have concluded their championship cally, Dr. Dyson, a professor at Georgetown Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise in rec- season, I am honored to pay tribute to the University, eloquently encouraged the audi- ognition of the 2007 Sacramento River Cats, many hard working men and women of the ence to speak out against the war and de- the champions of the 2007 Pacific Coast River Cats organization who brought so much scribed the similarities in the Bush’s adminis- League and winners of the Triple–A Cham- joy and pride to the people of Sacramento. tration response to hurricane Katrina to the pionship. I ask all of my colleagues to join with Their successes are highly commendable. I handling of the Iraq war. Rev. James Forbes, me in honoring this excellent achievement. ask all my colleagues to join me in celebrating Jr., founder of the Healing of the Nations The River Cats remarkable playoff run the River Cats 2007 championship season. Foundation, passionately spoke about the began when they clinched the Pacific Coast f moral failures of the war. Congresswoman League Southern Division by finishing the reg- BARBARA LEE of California, discussed the dif- ular season with a record of 84–60. Despite IN RECOGNITION OF SOUTH TAMA ficulties she faced in opposing the wars in Af- falling behind two games to none against Salt COUNTY SCHOOL ghanistan and Iraq. Eugene Robinson, a Lake City in the first round of the playoffs. The Washington Post columnist, discussed the ad- River Cats came back to win the next three HON. LEONARD L. BOSWELL ministration’s use of fear to build support for games. Using that positive momentum, the OF IOWA the war. Senator JIM WEBB of Virginia, empha- River Cats quickly beat the New Orleans IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sized the need for the U.S. to get out of Iraq Zephyrs in three games, winning the Pacific and addressed issues related to fraud, waste, Coast League title for the third time in 5 years. Tuesday, October 16, 2007 and abuse. General Zinni, a former com- The series final game was seen before a spir- Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise mander of U.S. forces, explained the U.S. in- ited and soldout crowd of 14,414 fans at Sac- today to honor South Tama County High terests in Iraq and discussed his ideas on how ramento’s Raley Field. During this impressive School, a school in my Congressional district, the U.S. can get out of Iraq. playoff run, the River Cats strung together for their outstanding achievements in the I would like to express heartfelt thanks to seven straight playoff victories to end their ‘‘President’s Challenge,’’ a program sponsored the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation season. The final victory came against the by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness chair, Congressman KENDRICK MEEK, and the Richmond Braves in the second annual and Sports. Congressional Black Caucus chairwoman, Bricktown Showdown. By defeating the Inter- South Tama County High School, in Tama, CAROLYN CHEEKS KILPATRICK, for all their hard national League Champion in the one game Iowa, was named one of two President’s Chal- work to organize the annual legislative con- playoff, Sacramento was able to lay their claim lenge State Champion schools in Iowa for the ference, which provides members of the Con- as outright Triple–A champions. 2006–2007 school year. The President’s Chal- gressional Black Caucus an opportunity to This year’s Sacramento River Cats team ex- lenge is designed to encourage students to highlight issues that impact the lives of Ameri- hibited resilience in the face of adversity. De- find new and exciting ways to integrate fitness VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:14 Oct 17, 2007 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A16OC8.013 E16OCPT1 cnoel on PRODPC60 with REMARKS_CN.

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