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Home , Branch Rickey Award, Rafael Palmeiro, Tony Gwynn

S9608 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 19, 2007 our Nation’s history. A President had from the crowd in Baltimore, was ful honor of being inducted into the been assassinated, we were divided by something I will always remember. The Hall of Fame. Vietnam, there were riots in our cities sustained cheers were neverending as While he has already achieved so over desegregation. Cal, urged by , took a much, I can’t help but think that the But she understood nature belongs to lap around the field. It was a proud best is yet to come. every one of us, and we have an night for the Ripken family, for the f obligation to pay nature back. As Orioles, and for Maryland. It was such CONGRATULATING President Johnson said, when he signed a magical night. Families from all over the law: came with their kids to celebrate the Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, I ask There is a part of America which was here ‘‘Iron Man’’ and his achievement. The my colleagues to join me in congratu- long before we arrived, and will be here, if we evening had as much dignity as the lating Tony Gwynn on his induction preserve it, long after we depart. player himself. into the National Baseball Hall of As Mrs. Johnson departs, we thank Cal’s accomplishments transcend Fame on July 29, 2007. During an illus- her for her preservation. We thank her well beyond the . His trious 20-year career spent entirely for lining every corner of the country character and demeanor is reflected in with the , Tony with flowers that we all enjoy. the success he experiences every day Gwynn was a consummate sportsman And we thank her for teaching us off the field. He shows up and gives whose excellence at the plate earned that preservation and beauty go be- maximum effort in every aspect of life. him the recognition as one of the yond the wildflowers, to the need to He puts his family above all, he is a greatest hitters in the game’s long and deal with pollution and urban decay consummate community activist and is storied history. A native Californian, Tony Gwynn and other problems that are too preva- committed to living and teaching the was a standout student-athlete at San lent in our country and world today. ‘‘Ripken Way.’’ Diego State University, where he ex- Jill and I are thinking of her daugh- The ‘‘Ripken Way’’ is simple, really, celled on the school’s baseball and bas- ters, Lynda and Luci, their families— but its wisdom is enough to build great ketball teams. Tony remains the only and, in particular, Senator Robb, who players and bind generations together. athlete in Western Athletic Conference served this body so well. It states: ‘‘Keep it Simple, Explain the history to be recognized as an all-con- Why, Celebrate the Individual, and f ference performer in two sports. His Make it Fun.’’ This style emphasizes talents on the baseball diamond and CONGRATULATING CAL RIPKEN, clarity and simplicity, while also the court would lead to his JR. stressing empathy and interest. selection by the San Diego Padres and Ms. MIKULSKI. Madam President, I have certainly used the ‘‘Ripken the National Basketball Association’s today I honor and congratulate Cal Way’’ in my life and I believe many San Diego Clippers on the same day in Ripken, Jr., on his induction to the Marylanders and Americans also use it. Baseball Hall of Fame. Throughout his 1981. In Maryland, I can tell you the Tony Gwynn made his major league storied 21-year career, Cal has been the ‘‘Ripken Way’’ is not just on our ball- debut on July 19, 1982. Over the course epitome of an ‘‘Iron Man,’’ both on and fields. It is in our factories. It is in our of the next 20 years, he would compile off the field. homes. It is in the bread we serve our one of the most accomplished resumes I watched Cal go from being unknown families. It is in our hospitals in Balti- in baseball history. A remarkable to being the best known baseball play- more, where Cal has contributed so model of consistency, Tony batted over er from Baltimore since . I much to children in need of hope and a .300 for 19 consecutive seasons, leading was there on the last day at Memorial smile. And it is in our hearts today as to 3,141 career hits. A 15-time All-Star, Stadium and the first day at Camden we salute Cal Ripken, Jr., and this he won 8 batting titles during his ca- Yards, and I will watch him when he is wonderful honor he is receiving. reer, tying the record inducted into the Baseball Hall of Cal applies the ‘‘Ripken Way’’ both held by . He is the only Fame on July 29. on and off the ballfield, particularly in player in major league history to win For we Orioles fans, it was never if his philanthropic work at the Cal four batting titles in two separate dec- we would be celebrating such an amaz- Ripken Sr. Foundation. The Cal ades. A true all-around player, Tony ing feat but when we would be cele- Ripken Sr. Foundation was established also won five Gold Glove Awards in rec- brating it. All baseball fans know in 2001 in memory of Cal’s father. To ognition of his defensive excellence in about ‘‘The Streak.’’ We fans remem- this day, Cal carries the torch and leg- the outfield. ber the victory lap he took around acy of his father. It is a legacy that has In addition to his accomplishments Camden Yards. And the countdown— shaped Cal’s life and a legacy that has on the field, Tony Gwynn has also been where the numbers were displayed not shaped the entire Orioles’ organization. widely recognized for his passion and just at the Camden Warehouse or in By emphasizing work ethic, playing commitment to make a positive im- but also at my of- by the rules, putting the team first, pact in the community. In 1995, he was fice in Hart Senate Office building: and showing up every day, the Cal presented the Award as 2,632 consecutive games, 431 home runs, Ripken Sr. Foundation serves dis- the top community activist in Major 19 All-Star game starts, two American advantaged youth across the country. League Baseball. He received the pres- League Golden Glove awards, eight Sil- The foundation has even built a beau- tigious Man of the ver Slugger Awards, two American tiful state-of-the-art stadium in Aber- Year Award in 1999 for combining League MVPs, and on and on. deen, MD, where kids can play. Cal has sportsmanship and community service But the most important thing we re- put much of his own money into the with excellence on the field. That same member, which the numbers cannot foundation and the stadium’s construc- year, he was inducted into the World fully reflect, is the strong, dependable tion, while also working to secure pri- Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in presence of Cal—night after night, day vate donations. Boise, ID. after day—through broken bones, Cal may be a local boy, but he is no Affectionately known as ‘‘Mr. through the wide range of emotions ordinary man. There is no question Padre,’’ the Padres retired his No. 19 and pressures he experienced as a that Cal has earned his way into the jersey and named the street on which major leaguer, as a father, and as an Hall of Fame, the respect of the world, its beautiful downtown stadium is lo- active citizen in our community. Every and the admiration of generations to cated ‘‘Tony Gwynn Drive’’ in his game there he was—at third base and come. honor. Judging from his excellence on , smiling, and doing his job. Baltimore may have lost the power- and off the field, it is clear to see why And doing it well. house company Bethlehem Steel, but it Tony Gwynn is one of the most ad- I remember that fateful night when will always be home to ‘‘Iron Man’’ Cal mired and beloved sports figures in Cal broke ’s long-standing Ripken, Jr. I congratulate Cal on his America. consecutive game record. To see that stellar career, his strong work ethic, As his teammates and fans would at- banner drop from 2130 to 2131, and to his commitment to family and commu- test, Tony Gwynn is a deserving in- hear the admiration and jubilation nity, and for the well-deserved, wonder- ductee into the National Baseball Hall

VerDate Aug 31 2005 07:58 Jul 20, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A19JY6.055 S19JYPT1 cnoel on PRODPC60 with SENATE_CN July 19, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9609 of Fame. Throughout his career in of Mrs. Sterling’s tenure on the Fresno 9/11 Compensation Fund process, she baseball, Tony has consistently con- City Council is still being felt today. has helped to draft the September 11 ducted himself with integrity, char- Mrs. Sterling’s example has inspired Family Humanitarian Relief and Patri- acter, and a commitment to commu- succeeding generations of Fresno resi- otism Act, S. 615, which I introduced nity service, all the qualities that em- dents to become involved in commu- with Senator LAUTENBERG on February body the best ideals of our national nity service regardless of their race, 15, 2007. This legislation would help im- pastime. creed, or color. In a fitting testament migrants whose family members were I congratulate Tony Gwynn on his in- to her legacy, Cynthia Sterling, Elma killed in the attacks heal from the duction in the National Baseball Hall Phyllis Sterling’s daughter, became tragedy as our Nation continues to do of Fame and wish him continued suc- the first African-American woman to the same. cess in his future endeavors. be elected to the Fresno City Council Our tradition teaches us to have f in 2002. compassion for the widow, the orphan, Throughout a rich and fulfilling life, ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS and the stranger among us. Ms. Stein- Elma Phyllis Sterling gave her genuine berg’s action representing the families compassion and precious humanity to of immigrant victims of 9/11 exempli- IN MEMORIAM: ELMA PHYLLIS protect, uplift, and empower those who fies such compassion. STERLING are most often neglected in our soci- We have much to learn from Debra ety. Mrs. Sterling has left behind a leg- ∑ Steinberg, and I am proud to honor her Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, I ask acy of service and the admiration of my colleagues to join me in honoring achievements before my colleagues in those whose lives she touched over the the Senate.∑ the memory of the late Elma Phyllis years. She will be sorely missed.∑ Sterling, a devoted mother and pio- neering community leader in Fresno. f f Mrs. Sterling, a long-time Fresno resi- RECOGNIZING DEBRA BROWN dent, passed away on July 4, 2007. She STEINBERG 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF was 94 years old. ∑ Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President, STERLING, NORTH DAKOTA Elma Phyllis Sterling was born on I wish to recognize Debra Brown Stein- ∑ Mr. CONRAD. Madam President, I November 22, 1914. She attended high berg for receiving an Ellis Island Medal am pleased today to recognize a com- school and college in New Orleans. of Honor from the National Ethnic Co- munity in North Dakota that cele- Upon her graduation from Xavier Uni- alition of Organizations. This award brated its 125th anniversary. On July 13 versity, Mrs. Sterling served as a acknowledges her work representing to 15, the residents of Sterling gathered schoolteacher in Louisiana before mov- immigrants whose family members to celebrate their community’s history ing to Oakland, CA, in 1944. Three died in the September 11, 2001, terrorist and founding. years later, she married her husband, attacks on the World Trade Center in Feltus LeRoy Sterling, Jr. The couple Sterling is a community in central New York City. As a recipient of the North Dakota, only a short drive from eventually moved to Fresno, where award, Debra joins an elite group of they founded a successful funeral home Bismarck, the State capital. Sterling distinguished Medal of Honor recipi- began as a railroad depot named Six- that remains family-operated today. ents such as Lee Iacocca, former Chrys- They raised four children, Consuelo teenth Siding in 1873 and became home ler CEO and author of ‘‘Where Have all to settlers in 1880, who renamed it Sterling-Meux, Cynthia Sterling, the Leaders Gone?’’, as well as several Feltus Leroy Sterling, Jr., and Al- Ballville. In 1882, the post office was es- former U.S. Presidents including Ger- tablished with Oscar Ball serving as its phonse Christopher Sterling. ald Ford, George H.W. Bush, and Bill In addition to operating a family- postmaster, and the town then was re- Clinton. named Sterling. owned business and raising their chil- Ms. Steinberg, moved with compas- dren, Mrs. Sterling generously offered sion, responded to the attacks by play- Sterling has always been a quiet, her time, considerable energy, and ing a vital leadership role in creating small town, maintaining a population many talents to a number of civic or- the New York Lawyers for the Public of fewer than 250 people since its found- ganizations. At one time, she was in- Interest 9/11 Project in early October ing. It has nonetheless been home to volved with 15 different civic causes 2001. She also played an important role many notable establishments over the that were committed to make her com- in the creation of the 9/11 Victims Com- past 125 years—the bank and hotel munity a better place for everyone. pensation Fund, which awarded a total buildings still stand as a testament to A former president of the National $7 billion to family members of individ- the life of the town over the past cen- Association for the Advancement of uals killed in the 9/11 attacks, by draft- tury and a quarter. Colored People in Fresno, Mrs. Sterling ing the New York City Bar Associa- Though the town may be small, the led a group of local civil rights activ- tion’s comments on the interim and anniversary celebration was not small ists to Alabama to march with Dr. final regulations for the fund. Since by any means. Over 1,000 people at- Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1963. She that time, she has worked selflessly to tended the festivities, a crowd com- also played an instrumental role in the ensure that the family members of vic- parable to the one at Sterling’s centen- establishment of the National Council tims of 9/11 are cared for. nial celebration 25 years ago. The cele- of Negro Women in Fresno. Through Nearly 6 years after the 9/11 attacks, bration included dances, live music, a her devotion to community service, Debra Brown Steinberg is still fighting quilt show, a pickup mud , and a pa- Mrs. Sterling demonstrated an admi- for the families of victims of the ter- rade, at which onlookers were rable and unyielding commitment to rorist attacks—specifically immigrants showered with free gifts and wowed by civil rights and social justice. without legal status in the United the 100 horses that walked together at A renowned and widely respected States who, after facing the traumatic the rear of the procession. community leader, Mrs. Sterling made loss of a family member on 9/11, now Madam President, I ask the Senate history when she became the first Afri- face potential deportation. As our Na- to join me in congratulating Sterling, can American to hold a seat on the tion continues to mourn the loss of ND, and its residents on their first 125 Fresno City Council after she was friends and family members who died years and in wishing them well in the called to public service by filling a va- in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Ms. Stein- future. By honoring Sterling and all cant seat on February 27, 1969. As she berg has set an example for all of us by other historic small towns of North Da- had done throughout her life, Mrs. helping families that have suffered kota, we keep the great pioneering Sterling handled her tenure on the greatly. Her selfless and persistent ef- frontier spirit alive for future genera- Fresno Council with her usual grace, forts have given these immigrant fami- tions. It is places such as Sterling that dignity, and keen sense of fairness and lies hope that one day they will be able have helped shape this country into justice. Although she did not seek to to grieve freely. what it is today, which is why this fine keep her seat beyond her appointed In addition to her work representing community is deserving of our recogni- term, it is fair to say that the impact these immigrant families through the tion.∑

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