HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES—Monday, October 4, 1999
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October 4, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 23729 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES—Monday, October 4, 1999 The House met at 12:30 p.m. and was days’ rest and delivered a decisive per- ball game in 1968. Mohammed Ali called to order by the Speaker pro tem- formance, guiding the Astros to the fought there, Elvis and Selena per- pore (Mr. TANCREDO). Central Division title. formed there, Evel Knievel jumped, f Despite a year plagued by injuries, Billy Graham preached, and Billie Jean forcing the team to use the disabled King and Bobby Riggs played a score- DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO list 16 times, the Astros managed to settling tennis match. TEMPORE finish the season with the second high- The Oilers won big games and lost a The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- est win total in franchise history. few there, the University of Houston fore the House the following commu- Starting with the loss of outfielder Cougars called the Dome their home, nication from the Speaker: Moises Alou in the off season, this sea- son was undoubtedly a test for Astros and the Houston Livestock Show and WASHINGTON, DC, players and fans alike. The only Astros Rodeo have maintained one of Hous- October 4, 1999. I hereby appoint the Honorable THOMAS G. position players who did not spend ton’s most important traditions with TANCREDO to act as Speaker pro tempore on time on the disabled list were first countless concerts and rodeos that this day. baseman Jeff Bagwell and second base- have thrilled millions. J. DENNIS HASTERT, man Craig Biggio, both of whom who But the Astrodome will always be Speaker of the House of Representatives. have had career years leading the Na- identified first with the Houston f tional League in RBIs and doubles re- spectively. Astros. The Astrodome’s opening in MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE The team also weathered the tem- 1965 was so special that the New York A message from the Senate by Mr. porary loss of manager Larry Dierker, Yankees traveled to Houston for an ex- Lundregan, one of its clerks, an- whose rapid recovery from brain sur- hibition game, which saw the very first nounced that the Senate agrees to the gery revealed the strength and breadth Dome home run hit by none other than amendment of the House to the bill (S. of his character. But in the end, what Mickey Mantle, witnessed by President 323) ‘‘An Act to redesignate the Black drove the Astros to victory was the Lyndon B. Johnson, who attended the Canyon of the Gunnison National team performance on the field: great game with tens of thousands of his fel- Monument as a national park and es- pitching, fielding, defense and timely low Texans, including myself. tablish the Gunnison Gorge National hitting. The scoreboard, unlike any other in Of particular note was the Astros’ Conservation Area, and for other pur- sports, shared color, lights, and Texas amazing pitching staff: Mike Hampton, poses.’’ pride for all who entered. The team, who set a team record with 22 wins, the f best in the National League; Jose with their often colorful uniforms, played their hearts out, rain or shine, MORNING HOUR DEBATES Lima, whose animation and love for the game delighted fans and whose in the 72-degree comfort of the Dome. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- commitment to succeed resulted in 21 The list of players who wore the ant to the order of the House of Janu- wins; Shane Reynolds, with 16 impres- Houston Astros uniform is legendary, ary 19, 1999, the Chair will now recog- sive, hard-fought wins; and Billy Wag- nize Members from lists submitted by from Jimmy Wynn to Joe Morgan, ner, the best closer in baseball, with 39 the majority and minority leaders for Larry Dierker to Rusty Staub, Nolan saves; and a bullpen that set a remark- morning hour debates. The Chair will Ryan to Mike Scott, Art Howe to able record for winning every game in alternate recognition between the par- Dickie Thon, Phil Garner to Ken which they held a lead after eight in- ties, with each party limited to 30 min- Caminiti, Don Wilson to Billy Wagner, nings. utes, and each Member, except the ma- Glenn Davis to Jeff Bagwell, Bill Doron With the steady veteran presence of to Craig Biggio, Craig Reynolds to jority leader, the minority leader, or fan favorites Craig Biggio, Jeff the minority whip, limited to 5 min- Doug Rader, Cesar Cedeno to Jose Bagwell, Ken Caminiti, and Carl Ever- Cruz, Joe Niekro to Alan Ashby, and utes. ett, the Astros were able to overcome J.R. Richard to Dave Smith. The Chair recognizes the gentleman the adversity of injuries and find a way from Texas (Mr. BENTSEN) for 5 min- to win 97 games. There have been many unforgettable utes. A second important Houston sports moments and unforgettable athletes f milestone was also achieved yesterday who have played the game of baseball in the Astrodome, with the end of the for the Astros. Now, as the final chap- SPORTS MILESTONES FOR 1999 regular season. It is special be- ter of the 1999 Astros season is being HOUSTON cause, after 35 years, yesterday’s divi- written in the playoffs, this generation Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise sion-clinching game was the last of Houston Astros players will have a today in recognition of two important Astros regular season game in the chance to bring home the team’s first sports milestones that were achieved place known in Houston as the Dome. World Series title to the city of Hous- yesterday in my congressional district Next year, the Astros will begin play ton. in the City of Houston. at Enron field, a new ballpark in the The first milestone was the Houston heart of downtown Houston. But the The next generation of Astros stars Astros’ clinching the National League Astros’ history, for better or worse, has will play their games in the new ball- Central Division title for the third year been established in the Astrodome, the park, in itself a modern marvel. But in a row. While their 97-win season was Eighth Wonder of the World. The brain- there is only one Astrodome, and Hous- impressive, equally impressive was the child of Judge Roy Hofheinz, the Astro- ton fans and the athletes who per- division race, which lasted until the dome has been the site of 35 years of formed so greatly there will never for- final day of the regular season. Yester- great sports memories. get it or the franchise that proudly day, Astros 22-game winner Mike The Dome saw Elvin Hays meet Lew played there for the great fans of the Hampton took the mound on only 3 Alcindor for a classic college basket- city of Houston. b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate May 21 2004 08:08 May 27, 2004 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR99\H04OC9.000 H04OC9.