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Congressional Record—Senate S9608

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Congressional Record—Senate S9608 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 Baseball 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 Rafael Palmeiro, 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 single 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 TONY GWYNN 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 baseball field. His trious 20-year career spent entirely for lining every corner of the country character and demeanor is reflected in with the San Diego Padres, 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 basketball 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 Babe Ruth. 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 National League record inducted into the Baseball Hall of Cal applies the ‘‘Ripken Way’’ both held by Honus Wagner. 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- the Baltimore Sun 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 Branch Rickey 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 Roberto Clemente 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 shortstop, 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 Lou Gehrig’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.
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