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Home , 2004 World Series, Bronson Arroyo, David Ortiz, Doug Mientkiewicz, Game seven, Johnny Damon

November 18, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9987 [Roll No. 536] Harman Matheson Sabo submitted a privileged report (Rept. Hastings (FL) McCarthy (MO) Sa´ nchez, Linda AYES—208 Hefley McCollum T. No. 108–781) on the resolution (H. Res. Aderholt Gilchrest Osborne Herseth McGovern Sanchez, Loretta 858) waiving points of order against the Akin Gillmor Otter Hill McIntyre Sanders conference report to accompany the Alexander Gingrey Oxley Hinchey McNulty Sandlin bill (H.R. 1350) to reauthorize the Indi- Hinojosa Meehan Bachus Goodlatte Pearce Schakowsky viduals with Disabilities Education Baker Granger Pence Holden Meek (FL) Schiff Ballenger Graves Peterson (PA) Holt Meeks (NY) Scott (GA) Act, and for other purposes, which was Barrett (SC) Green (WI) Petri Honda Menendez Scott (VA) referred to the House Calendar and or- Barton (TX) Greenwood Pickering Hooley (OR) Michaud Serrano Hoyer Miller (NC) dered to be printed. Bass Gutknecht Pitts Sherman Inslee Miller, George Beauprez Hall Platts Skelton f Israel Mollohan Biggert Harris Pombo Slaughter Jackson (IL) Moore Bilirakis Hart Porter Smith (MI) REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- Jackson-Lee Moran (VA) Bishop (UT) Hastert Portman Smith (WA) VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF (TX) Murtha Blackburn Hastings (WA) Pryce (OH) Snyder Jefferson Nadler MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE Blunt Hayes Putnam Solis John Napolitano RULES Boehlert Hayworth Radanovich Spratt Johnson, E. B. Neal (MA) Boehner Hensarling Ramstad Stenholm Jones (NC) Oberstar Mr. SESSIONS (during debate on S. Bonilla Herger Regula Strickland Jones (OH) Obey 2986), from the Committee on Rules, Bonner Hobson Rehberg Stupak Bono Hoekstra Kanjorski Olver submitted a privileged report (Rept. Renzi Kaptur Ortiz Tanner Boozman Hostettler Reynolds Tauscher No. 108–782) on the resolution (H. Res. Bradley (NH) Houghton Kennedy (RI) Ose Rogers (AL) Kildee Owens Taylor (MS) 859) providing for consideration of mo- Brady (TX) Hulshof Rogers (KY) Thompson (CA) Brown (SC) Hunter Kilpatrick Pallone tions to suspend the rules, which was Rogers (MI) Thompson (MS) Brown-Waite, Hyde Kind Pascrell Rohrabacher Tierney referred to the House Calendar and or- Ginny Isakson Kucinich Pastor Ros-Lehtinen Towns dered to be printed. Burgess Issa Lampson Paul Royce Turner (TX) Burns Istook Langevin Payne f Ryan (WI) Udall (CO) Burr Jenkins Lantos Pelosi Ryun (KS) Udall (NM) Burton (IN) Johnson (CT) Larsen (WA) Peterson (MN) REPORT ON RESOLUTION WAIVING Saxton Van Hollen Buyer Johnson (IL) Larson (CT) Pomeroy Schrock ´ REQUIREMENT OF CLAUSE 6(a) Calvert Johnson, Sam Lee Price (NC) Velazquez Sensenbrenner OF RULE XIII WITH RESPECT TO Camp Keller Levin Rahall Visclosky Sessions Cantor Kelly Lewis (GA) Rangel Waters CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN Shadegg Capito Kennedy (MN) Lofgren Reyes Watson RESOLUTIONS Shaw Carter King (IA) Lowey Rodriguez Watt Shays Castle King (NY) Lucas (KY) Ross Waxman Mr. SESSIONS (during debate on S. Sherwood Chabot Kingston Lynch Rothman Weiner 2986), from the Committee on Rules, Shimkus Chocola Kirk Majette Roybal-Allard Wexler submitted a privileged report (Rept. Shuster Maloney Ruppersberger Woolsey Coble Kline No. 108–783) on the resolution (H. Res. Cole Knollenberg Simmons Markey Rush Wu Collins Kolbe Simpson Marshall Ryan (OH) Wynn 860) waiving a requirement of clause Cox LaHood Smith (NJ) 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consid- Smith (TX) NOT VOTING—21 Crane Latham eration of certain resolutions reported Crenshaw LaTourette Souder Ackerman Kleczka Norwood Cubin Leach Stearns Cannon Lipinski Quinn from the Committee on Rules, which Culberson Lewis (CA) Sullivan Carson (OK) Matsui Stark was referred to the House Calendar and Cunningham Lewis (KY) Sweeney Dooley (CA) McCarthy (NY) Tancredo ordered to be printed. Davis, Tom Linder Tauzin Dunn McDermott Toomey Deal (GA) LoBiondo Taylor (NC) Feeney Millender- Weller f DeLay Lucas (OK) Terry Gephardt McDonald DeMint Manzullo Thomas Hoeffel Musgrave b 2310 Diaz-Balart, L. McCotter Thornberry Diaz-Balart, M. McCrery Tiahrt ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE CONGRATULATING RED Doolittle McHugh Tiberi The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. SOX ON WINNING THE 2004 Dreier McInnis Turner (OH) SIMPSON) (during the vote). There are 2 Ehlers McKeon Upton Emerson Mica Vitter minutes remaining in this vote. Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- Walden (OR) English Miller (FL) b 2311 mous consent that the Committee on Everett Miller (MI) Walsh Government Reform be discharged Ferguson Miller, Gary Wamp So the Senate bill was passed. from further consideration of the reso- Flake Moran (KS) Weldon (FL) The result of the vote was announced Foley Murphy Weldon (PA) lution (H. Res. 854) congratulating the Forbes Myrick Whitfield as above recorded. on winning the 2004 Fossella Nethercutt Wicker A motion to reconsider was laid on World Series, and ask for its imme- Franks (AZ) Neugebauer Wilson (NM) the table. Frelinghuysen Ney Wilson (SC) diate consideration in the House. Gallegly Northup Wolf f The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Garrett (NJ) Nunes Young (AK) tion. Gerlach Nussle Young (FL) GENERAL LEAVE The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. NOES—204 Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I SIMPSON). Is there objection to the re- Abercrombie Cardin Dicks ask unanimous consent that all Mem- quest of the gentleman from Cali- Allen Cardoza Dingell bers may have 5 legislative days within fornia? Andrews Carson (IN) Doggett which to revise and extend their re- Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, reserv- Baca Case Doyle marks and include extraneous material Baird Chandler Duncan ing the right to object, and I will not Baldwin Clay Edwards on S. 2986, the Senate bill just passed. object because this is a resolution con- Bartlett (MD) Clyburn Emanuel The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there gratulating the greatest team in the Becerra Conyers Engel objection to the request of the gen- Bell Cooper Eshoo history of , the Boston Red Berkley Costello Etheridge tleman from Texas? Sox, who after 86 years finally relieved Berman Cramer Evans There was no objection. all New Englanders, and all wonderful Berry Crowley Farr people in America, of the greatest bur- Bishop (GA) Cummings Fattah f Bishop (NY) Davis (AL) Filner den in the history of sports, 86 years of Blumenauer Davis (CA) Ford REPORT ON RESOLUTION WAIVING drought. No more. No more. The Cubs Boswell Davis (FL) Frank (MA) POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST CON- come next. Boucher Davis (IL) Frost FERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1350, Mr. Speaker, down three to nothing Boyd Davis (TN) Gibbons INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES Brady (PA) Davis, Jo Ann Gonzalez against one of the greatest teams in Brown (OH) DeFazio Goode EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT ACT baseball, they staged the greatest Brown, Corrine DeGette Gordon OF 2004 comeback in the history of sports, Butterfield Delahunt Green (TX) Capps DeLauro Grijalva Mr. SESSIONS (during debate on S. sweeping four games in a row against a Capuano Deutsch Gutierrez 2986), from the Committee on Rules, fantastic Yankees team and one of the

VerDate Aug 04 2004 05:26 Nov 19, 2004 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A18NO7.016 H18PT1 H9988 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 18, 2004 greatest rivalries in professional sports I, too, like the Members from Massa- the Boston boys? The town was dressed today, and then sweeping a four-game chusetts here tonight, wondered if I in red. The fans could not be nicer, the series against the Cardinals, another would ever live long enough to see the team was so well led. fantastic team, that many of us Red Sox win the World Series ever. But the Red Sox took the first three thought would win the World Series When Dave Roberts stole that base and games, competing nobly one and all. this year. changed the tide against Mariano Ri- They overcame their errors, they an- Not only did they do that, when they vera, the greatest ever, and then swered every call. And as game four came home, we were fortunate enough a home , and then proceeded, and a series win now a few years ago to have the Patriots David Ortiz hit a bloop the next loomed, all shivered with win their championship in football. We night, the next day the thought we might still be doomed. had a million people in downtown Bos- pitched that great game, and then b 2320 ton celebrating that. The Red Sox won, Derrek Lowe on 2 days’ rest came back, and we had well over 3 million people. and we won four games and then did it What deus ex machina would fall That is half the population of the State again against the Cardinals, there was down from the sky? of . We had people flying a dream that most of us in New Eng- What / ghost in from all over the country to witness land thought would never happen. might steer things all awry? a once-in-a-lifetime experience. People wondered where we would be climbed up upon the I heard that many people went to on the night that the Red Sox won. I do mound, ball burning in his hand. cemeteries and gave hats and gave not know where the gentleman from The stepped up to face him, to baseball cards to their loved ones who Massachusetts was, but I was with my make a final stand. were not here to see this. I heard that sons who are younger, and they had There was ease in the Curse’s manner some people brought the ashes of their never been through Bill Buckner and as he stepped into his place. loved ones to the parade because there through or Jim Lamborg, There was pride in Bambino’s bear- were those of us who just had no under- or even Johnny Peske, and all of the ing, a smile on the Curse’s face. standing of how to win with our be- memories that those of us who have And when, responding to his fans, he loved Red Sox. grown up in New England have known lightly doffed his hat, Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, will the gen- for years and years and years. But, fi- No stranger in the crowd could doubt tleman yield? ’twas the Curse at the bat. Mr. CAPUANO. Further reserving the nally, we have done it. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman A nation’s eyes were on him as he right to object, Mr. Speaker, I yield to for yielding me this time, and may our rubbed his hands with dirt. the gentleman from California. 60,000 tongues applauded when he Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, what did they States always be friends and always rooting for the Red Sox. wiped them on his shirt. bring to the parade? Then, while Foulke rubbed the ball Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, we will Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield? into his shifty hip, have to get a translator. Defiance flashed in the Curse’s eye, a Mr. Speaker, this resolution con- Mr. CAPUANO. Further reserving the sneer curled on his lip. gratulates the men of the Red Sox and right to object, I yield to the gen- And now the leather-covered sphere the owners of the Red Sox for their tleman from Massachusetts. came hurtling through the air, dedication and their commitment to Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank And the Curse stood a-watching it in the sport and to their fans. They have the gentleman for yielding me this haughty grandeur there. opened up the park, I will translate time. Close by the portly batsman the ball that word, too, later on. They have I have an offering for the House this unheeded sped— opened up the park to the public. They evening with apologies to Ernest L. ‘‘I just can’t hit that,’’ said the have had the players out there talking Thayer entitled ‘‘The Curse Has Struck Curse. ‘‘Strike one!’’ the umpire said. to the people who come to the games. Out.’’ From the canyons of , They have closed off a piece of public The outlook wasn’t guaranteed for there rose a muffled roar. turf so we can expand the experience of the Red Sox nine this year. Since 1918 fans were screaming, Fenway. the boys had left us crying in our beer. For those fortunate enough to come And when they lost twice in New York ‘‘Would the Curse really be no more?’’ to the convention this summer in Bos- and lost again at home, a pall-like si- ‘‘Kill him, kill the umpire,’’ they ton, I am hoping most Members got to lence fell upon the loyal Red Sox fans. shouted in Yankee land. go to , still the smallest A straggling few got up to go in deep The Curse looked smug. In 86 years ballpark in the major league, yet al- despair. ‘‘Wait ’til next year,’’ they the Curse had never fanned. ways sold out because the people of said. Resignation filled the air. The With a smile of overconfidence, the New England support their team. rest clung to that hope that springs Curse’s visage shone. Mr. Speaker, this resolution is a eternal in the human breast. ‘‘It ain’t He stilled the rising tumult, he bade thank you to the best of our ability to over ’til its over’’ they muttered half the game go on. thank the men of the Red Sox and the in jest. They thought, ‘‘If only our boys He signaled the Red Sox closer, and owners and to the entire Red Sox na- could put some bat on that ball, we’d once more the dun sphere flew, tion for 86 years of unflagging support put Bambino’s curse to rest once and But the Curse couldn’t hit it, and the and dedication to a team that has so for all.’’ umpire said, ‘‘Strike two.’’ often let us down but every year came And then Ortiz let fly a homer, to the ‘‘It’s over,’’ thought the Cardinals back and gave us more to cheer for. wonderment of all. And Johnny fans, who are brought up so well. Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Damon, bases loaded, tore the cover off But the Curse gave a scornful look Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman the ball. And when the dust had lifted and an eerie silence fell. yield? on that memorable night, we had come They saw his face frown stern and Mr. CAPUANO. Further reserving the back from three games down, the Curse cold, they saw his muscles strain. right to object, I yield to the gen- was in our sights. And they really thought the Curse tleman from New Hampshire. Then from all of ’s wouldn’t let that ball go by again. Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. throats there rose a wild call, it echoed The sneer has fled from the Curse’s Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Mas- on the Common, it shook Fanueil Hall. lip, the teeth are clenched in hate. sachusetts knows that I am from New It pounded on the River Charles, and He pounds, with cruel violence, his Hampshire. There is a friendly rivalry splashed upon the Bay, the Yankees bat upon the plate. between our States, as Members know. were all through, kaput, a World Series And now the holds the ball, We have gone back and forth for years we would play. and now he lets it go, and years on a number of things, but And they rolled out to St. Louis, And now the air is shattered by the the one thing that we have always jewel of the Midwest. The Cards had force of the Curse’s blow. shared in common with other New Eng- won their league with ease, but now Oh, all across this favored land the land States is our love of the Red Sox. they faced a test. Were they ready for sun is shining bright.

VerDate Aug 04 2004 04:42 Nov 19, 2004 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K18NO7.055 H18PT1 November 18, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9989 The band is playing happily and our ‘‘Come on, Johnny! Come on, Johnny!’’ she Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I thank hearts are oh so light. cried out at the television screen, her voice the gentleman for yielding. I have the And Red Sox Nation smiles and frail but unbowed. wonderful honor of representing the laughs, and little children shout. ‘‘We couldn’t understand how she knew the city of Boston with my colleague from And there is pure joy in Beantown— , let alone the batter,’’ Jeannie Boutin recalled. ‘‘When we asked her, Peg just said, Massachusetts (Mr. CAPUANO). This is a the Curse has struck out. ‘Because I pay attention, what do you think, special moment for us. I want to rise Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, further Besides,’ she’d say, ‘they run the numbers here tonight just to remember a couple reserving the right to object, I yield to along the top of the screen.’ And, of course, of great Red Sox fans from this body, a the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. she always wanted to see her Johnny.’’ couple of people who just embodied the DUNCAN). ‘‘Oooh, my sister loved all spirit of loyalty to the Red Sox and Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank right,’’ Nora Coyne said. ‘‘She loved how he who I wish were here to share in this. the gentleman for yielding. I would managed to get on base. Peg loved Johnny’s Those two gentlemen are Silvio Conte like to also congratulate all of the Red heart. But then, of course, she was always who served in this body for such a long Sox, but I especially would like to con- saying, ‘I wish Johnny would cut his hair and shave that .’’’ time representing western Mass, and gratulate my longtime friend Johnny Nora betrayed the kind of self-conscious also my predecessor, Congressman Joe Pesky. , at the age of 85, blush one might expect from a fan of, say, 19 Moakley. Two finer Red Sox fans there still dresses out every day with the Red . . . or maybe 29. She happens to be 89. never were. I think Silvio Conte would Sox. Nobody loves the Red Sox more Ah, but when you venture this deep into have the full Red Sox uniform on to- than Johnny Pesky, a longtime player, the heart of Red Sox Nation—to the cozy night making his remarks if he were , , broadcaster, one of sanctuary of a South Boston parlor where here. the most popular figures in all of New two easy chairs sit side-by-side—age is little The hour is late. I do want to before England. more than a state of mind. And baseball is what keeps you forever young. this resolution passes congratulate the I had the privilege as an 11 and 12- The Coyne sisters didn’t particularly care Boston Red Sox and their superb man- year-old boy of serving as his for . Why? agement team, , John for the Knoxville Smokies minor ‘‘Because Peg and I were there at Braves Henry, and also Theo Ep- league baseball team and got to know Field, when came to play for the stein and for putting him starting in 1959. He has had me Braves at the end of his career,’’ Nora ex- together a wonderful team of just ex- right in the dugout at Fenway Park. I plains. ‘‘We used to sit in this box right traordinary gentlemen who not only know that no one is more excited or there beside the Braves’ dugout. We knew all the Braves. Really, they were our favorites carried out their athletic roles with ex- happy over these great events of the for a long time. We always like the National cellence but also did it in a way that last few weeks than my friend Johnny League guys, because they were a lot more young people from Massachusetts and Pesky. I would like to offer a special friendly. all through New England and through congratulations to a really fine man ‘‘Oh . . . I’m sorry, back to Babe. Well, you the country can really look up to. They and great American, Johnny Pesky. see, all these little kids came down from the really handled themselves with ex- Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, further grandstands to get his autograph, and the treme class. The players of the 2004 reserving the right to object, I am Babe . . . well, he just ignored all the little World Series champion Red Sox, I do kids. My sister and I thought that was really going to submit this for the RECORD not have to name them tonight because but I would just like to read the first awful. We never forgot it. And, of course, don’t get me started on the Southie girl their names as we all know will be for- two paragraphs of an article that ap- Babe married. Her name was Nora, too. She ever written in the hearts of the citi- peared in the : lived on Fourth Street, just above F (Street), zens of Boston and of New England and ‘‘When Margaret ‘Peg’ Coyne lost her I think. And what did the Babe do but leave of Red Sox Nation. I join with my col- desire to eat, when she could no longer her for a New York showgirl.’’ leagues in the House in congratulating rise from her parlor chair, walk to the In between caring for several generations them for their wonderful, wonderful ac- kitchen and fix herself a cup of tea, of family—my wife and our son among complishment. there was still the Red Sox. them—and stitching curtains in factories Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield throughout Southie, Roxbury and Dor- ‘‘When the grand nieces who kept a to the gentleman from Massachusetts vigil by Aunt Peg’s hospice bed were chester, Peg and Nora didn’t just watch base- ball . . . they lived it. (Mr. OLVER). sure the pain, the morphine and the There are tales of how the ancient Sox Mr. OLVER. I thank the gentleman Ativan had eased her into a tranquil pitcher Boo Ferris charmed Peg and Nora for yielding. I was not intending to delirium, Johnny Damon would step with a ‘‘Hello Girls,’’ on his way into the speak but I am now, because I am not into the batter’s box and Peg’s 93-year- Harvard Club, or how fired off a poet and cannot really compete with old eyes suddenly opened.’’ a string of ‘‘bad words’’ when the sisters my colleague from Alden, but I am now It is a longer article than that that I stepped in front of his Caddie. goaded into speaking out of respect for ‘‘, the pitcher, was sit- will submit for the RECORD. But I think my predecessor Silvio O. Conte who has those two paragraphs catch the tenor ting next to him in the front seat,’’ Nora re- membered, ‘‘and he just laughed.’’ just been referenced by my esteemed of how the Red Sox Nation feels. This On the final day of this past August, dur- colleague from Boston (Mr. LYNCH). is something we have waited for a long ing a Red Sox winning streak, Peg Coyne’s And so, Mr. Speaker, I am adding my time and many people have come and vantage point on this shifted from a congratulations to the Boston Red Sox gone. There have been fantastic players blue parlor to a celestial box seat. My son’s for overcoming what many thought that have been with the team over the theory was that in return for letting go and was impossible, namely, the toppling of years that have given us joy. Johnny coming to heaven, God had surely promised the and ultimately Pesky. The right field foul pole is Peg that the Sox would catch the Yankees overcoming the . down the stretch. named after Johnny Pesky because he When Johnny Damon finally emerged from While our Nation is often described as gave us so many thrills while he was his playoff slump in truly miraculous fash- polarized and divided, this Red Sox playing. ion, Nora’s phone rang off the hook. team managed to bridge these gaps and [From the Boston Herald, Nov. 1, 2004] ‘‘It’s Peg,’’ all the nieces screamed, ‘‘Peg’s bring fans from all corners of the coun- ANGEL IN THE OUTFIELD SENDS HEAVENLY there in the outfield with him.’’ try into the Red Sox Nation. All the ‘‘When Keith Foulke made the last out,’’ MIRACLE FROM ABOVE 2004 Boston Red Sox team will be re- Nora said, ‘‘I leaned over to say something (By Peter Gelzinis) membered for their stars, Curt Schil- to Peg. But there was only an empty chair. When Margaret ‘‘Peg’’ Coyne lost her de- I wanted her to know what just happened. ling, , Pedro Martinez sire to eat, when she could no longer rise The Sox finally won it all. They took the Se- and David Ortiz, the real underlying from her parlor chair, walk to the kitchen ries. But then, of course, my sister already message of this team is that the impos- and fix herself a coup of tea . . . there was knew. She was watching everything from a sible can occur when people come to- still the Red Sox. much better seat . . . way up there. gether with the right attitude. When the grand nieces who kept a vigil by And she was smiling.’’ ‘‘Aunt Peg’s’’ hospice bed were sure the pain, In their march to the world cham- the morphine and the Ativan had eased her Mr. Speaker, further reserving the pionship, the Red Sox overcame obsta- into a tranquil delirium, Johnny Damon right to object, I yield to the gen- cles not through individual triumphs would step into the batter’s box and Peg’s 93- tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. but rather through team effort. Play- year-old eyes suddenly opened. LYNCH). ers who had been stars with other

VerDate Aug 04 2004 05:26 Nov 19, 2004 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K18NO7.057 H18PT1 H9990 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 18, 2004 teams selflessly accepted lesser roles in and time again when victory seemed to ries—a deficit that no team had ever sur- the interest of the team. Such players be within our grasp, fate intervened mounted. The night before, they were drubbed could have easily sulked and pined for and the season would end once again 19–8 before the hometown fans. personal glory. Instead, they encour- with us muttering the line ‘‘there is al- The Boston bats were silent. Their arms aged those who were participating and ways next year.’’ Next year was finally were spent. Their gloves were shaky. Their did their job when they were called this year. ace pitcher’s foot was stapled to the rest of his upon. The triumph of the 2004 Boston Self-confidence is the hallmark of leg. Red Sox was twofold, physical and this team embodied by Curt Schilling Now trailing 4–3 in Game Four, they came mental. While the Red Sox players, and is now classic mantra of ‘‘why not to bat in the bottom of the ninth just three outs coaches and management would tell us?’’ History is in the past, and we away from another close call, another heart- you they did not believe in , the must live and play for today, and that break for another generation of Sox fans. fans and the media were convinced that is what the 2004 Red Sox have taught In the other dugout was a Yankees team there were forces at work far greater all of us. that dashed our hopes last year and won 101 than those who give the its We also learned that over the course games this year—a team packed with talent break or cause a knuckleball to dance. of this season that redemption cannot and carrying a monster payroll of $184 million. Still, despite 86 years of expectations, come easy. The Red Sox were three On the mound was , the best capped by disappointments, this self- outs away from packing their bags for and most reliable closer in the history of the labored ‘‘bunch of idiots’’ managed to the winter, as they have so many times game. overcome preordained demise and ulti- in the past. But perhaps the first time, Hovering over all of New England was the mate collapse and they did it all with these men knew they could not allow ghost of Babe Ruth. Only a ‘‘band of idiots’’ could have believed a goofy smile on their face, goofy their arch rivals to celebrate at that they could come back. And only the 2004 styles in their hair and a love for the Fenway Park. More than that, Terry Boston Red Sox could have actually pulled it game that is a breath of fresh air in Francona knew that the Sox were not off. professional sports. done and masterfully managed his But the slugger patiently worked The run will always team with four straight victories with out a walk. The speedy pinch-runner Dave a special place in the heart of Red the help of David Ortiz’s amazing per- Roberts stole second, leaving Sox fans in the New England region as formances. Red Sox fans know that the game is with the chance to tie it. He a whole. never over until the last out, but we promptly did, smacking a single through b 2330 have got to believe. We have all finally Rivera’s legs, and he—and all of the Red Sox Gone is the label of lovable loser and seen a dream come true. And it said Nation—watched Roberts speed home. all the ‘‘what if’’ speculation in the pa- that Red Sox, the Red Sox play 162 The game was tied. The Sox were alive. pers and on the airwaves. For the first home games, the support of their amaz- The Bambino rolled over in his grave. The time in 86 years, the Red Sox Nation ing fans follows them everywhere and Yankees’ historic choke had begun. can breathe a deep sigh of relief this is a key factor that propelled the team David Ortiz ended the game with a twelfth- off-season and enjoy the fruits of the to victory. inning homer, and less than 24 hours later, hometown team’s labor. Gone are the Finally, I am happy to be able to say the heroic ‘‘Big Papi’’ won Game Five with a columns speculating on the cause of this in my lifetime, that we did it and fourteenth-inning single. their most recent demise, and in their I look forward to the 2005 season when Game Six was won by the clutch Mark place are columns about long-suffering the Red Sox defend their World Series Bellhorn, the mythical Curt Schilling and the fans able to rest knowing that they title. medical miracle workers who put his ankle Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, further have seen in their lifetime what others back together. reserving the right to object, just yes- In , the Yankees succumbed to in the past were not so lucky to see. terday the gentleman who runs the the biblical slugging of Johnny Damon and the Mr. Speaker, 2004 will be a year re- Democratic cloak room was brought to untouchable sinkerballs of . membered for many reasons; and while the hospital for a little problem, and I The Series wasn’t even close. The Car- some of those reasons may fade with understand that as he was heading to- dinals had a great season, but they picked the the passing of time, I am sure that the wards the hospital clutching his chest, wrong year to win the . 2004 citizens of the Red Sox Nation will he was heard to say, ‘‘It’s okay, I’ve belonged to Red Sox Nation. After the bitter keep a not-so-silent vigil to ensure seen the Red Sox win. It’s okay.’’ He endings of 1948, 1978, 1986 and 2003, we that 2004 is remembered as the year an will be back soon. deserved it. impossible dream became a reality, the But I will tell my colleagues that All of New England breathed a collective hopes of the and long suffering though many of the Sunday morning sigh of relief as the always dependable closer were met in full, and the season that pundits are now thinking that some of Keith Foulke grabbed the final ground ball of was always going to be next year was us in Boston are scratching our heads Game Four and tossed it to Gold Glove first finally this year. wondering what happened on some baseman for the final out. Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, further issues this year, the truth is we are all For the first time in 86 years, the Red Sox reserving the right to object, I yield to looking at each other wondering how are the World Champions of baseball—truly the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. do we enter next year’s baseball season World champions, with a roster assembled LANGEVIN). now that we have won. We know what from the , South Korea, Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I to do when we lose: do not worry, next Colombia, Red-State and Blue-State America. thank the gentleman for yielding to year is it, we are going to make this Congratulations to the brilliant general man- me. . We have not got a clue how to ager . Mr. Speaker, I rise today to privately deal with a win. So all of us at home Congratulations to our field general, Terry say we finally did it. The Boston Red are really kind of standing wondering Francona, and his lieutenants on the coaching Sox have won the World Series for the now what do we do. We will figure it staff. first time in 86 years. Not only did they out, and we will stumble through. And Congratulations to the top brass—John win, but they made history in the proc- the only thing I will say for the rest of Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Lucchino. ess. Congratulations to the gentlemen. the night is in 86 years, I will be back Congratulations to World Series MVP They have done what so many thought again to do this one more time. Manny Ramirez. Congratulations to the dean was impossible. Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Red Sox, . Congratula- As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I can hon- of H. Res. 854, congratulating the Boston Red tions to the saviors and estly say that this is a dream come Sox on winning the World Series. . Congratulations to the steady true. Like millions of other fans, I had The 2004 Boston Red Sox were no ordinary veterans , , and Doug such high hopes year after year only to champion. I would urge my colleagues to re- Mirabelli. Congratulations to recent arrivals see the World Series slip through our member the scene at Fenway Park as mid- , , Gabe fingers. We have had so many opportu- night neared on October 17, 2004. Kapler, and . nities during our long drought, but The Sox had dropped the first three games Congratulations to the unparalleled Pedro something was always missing. Time of the Championship Se- Martinez—Pedro, please don’t go!

VerDate Aug 04 2004 04:42 Nov 19, 2004 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K18NO7.059 H18PT1 November 18, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9991 Congratulations to the entire Red Sox team, Whereas Derrek Lowe, Pedro Martinez, and Amendment to the preamble offered by Mr. who will be remembered forever as the con- Curt Schilling delivered gutsy pitching per- OSE: quering heroes who Reversed the Curse and formances in the postseason worthy of their On page 1 line 10 strike the word ‘‘payoff’’ status as some of the best in Red and insert the ward ‘‘playoff’’. brought a baseball championship to New Eng- Sox history; land for the first time since the Wilson Admin- Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I do want to Whereas the Red Sox starting pitching in speak to the amendment, if I might, istration. (Woodrow Wilson, not Mookie.) Games 2, 3, and 4 of the World Series had a Congratulations also to all the great Red combined average of 0.00; because I know the gentleman from Sox players of the past, including Johnny Whereas Manny Ramirez won the 2004 Massachusetts (Mr. CAPUANO) comes Pesky, Dom Dimaggio, , Jim World Series Most Valuable Player award in from district eight in Massachusetts, Rice, and —this victory was as the World Series after 0.350 in the and clearly there has been an in much for them as anyone., The same can be postseason with two home runs and 11 runs the third paragraph of the resolution. said of Ted Williams and all the other Sox batted in; We are going to call this E–8 in the Whereas the Red Sox staged the greatest gentleman from Massachusetts’ (Mr. greats who have passed on, but who no doubt comeback in baseball history in the Amer- CAPUANO) memory because I do not be- watched from the heavens above, smiling. ican League Championship Series against And most importantly, congratulations to their rivals, the New York Yankees, by win- lieve he meant to put the word ‘‘pay- baseball’s most loyal and passionate fans: ning four consecutive games after losing the off’’ in there, and we are attempting to Red Sox Nation. first three games of the series; correct this. And I just want to assure Mr. Speaker, on April 11, 2005, the Red Whereas the Red Sox prevailed in four con- folks of the district that the gentleman Sox will raise the 2004 World Championship secutive American League Championship Se- from Massachusetts (Mr. CAPUANO) rep- banner at Fenway Park alongside its counter- ries games, while producing some of the resents that it was an error made in part from 1918. In the visiting dugout, watch- most memorable moments in sports history, good faith and that it was an error including Dave Roberts stealing second base much like many errors in the past like ing the Sox try on their rings, will be a team in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 4, that has suffered without a championship David Ortiz securing a walk-off in Mr. Buckner has made, and I hope to since the year 2000—the New York Yankees. the 12th inning of Game 4, David Ortiz sin- never see such an error again in the Don’t worry, Yankees fans, there’s always gling in the winning run in the bottom of the next 86 years. next year. 14th inning in Game 5, and Johnny Damon The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I with- making a in Game 7; question is on the amendment to the draw my reservation of objection. Whereas the entire Red Sox organization preamble. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. has a strong commitment to charitable The amendment to the preamble was FRANKS of Arizona). Is there objection causes in New England, demonstrated by the agreed to. to the request of the gentleman from team’s 51-year support of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund in the fight A motion to reconsider was laid on Massachusetts? against childhood cancers; the table. There was no objection. Whereas fans of the Red Sox do not live f The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- only in Boston or New England, but all REPORT ON RESOLUTION WAIVING lows: across the country and the world, and a H. RES. 854 grateful ‘‘Red Sox Nation’’ thanks the team REQUIREMENT OF CLAUSE 6(a) OF RULE XIII WITH RESPECT TO Whereas on October 27, 2004, the Boston for bringing a World Championship home to Red Sox won their first World Series title in Boston; CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN 86 years in a four-game sweep of the St. Whereas the 2004 Boston Red Sox and their RESOLUTIONS Louis Cardinals; loyal fans believed; and Mr. DREIER, (during debate on H. Whereas the Red Sox won their sixth world Whereas this IS next year: Now, therefore, be it Res. 854) from the Committee on Rules, title in the 104-year history of the storied submitted a privileged report (Rept. franchise; Resolved, That the House of Representa- Whereas the 2004 Red Sox World Champion tives— No. 108–784) on the resolution (H. Res. team epitomized sportmanship, selfless play, (1) congratulates— 861) waiving a requirement of clause team spirit, determination, and heart in the (A) the Boston Red Sox for winning the 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consid- course of winning 98 games in the regular 2004 World Series and eration of certain resolutions reported season and clinching the American League for their incredible performance during the from the Committee on Rules, which payoff berth; 2004 Major League Baseball season; and was referred to the House Calendar and (B) the eight Major League Baseball teams Whereas the 2004 Red Sox World Champion ordered to be printed. team honored the careers of all former Red that played in the postseason; Sox legends, including , Bobby (2) recognizes the achievements of the Bos- f Doerr, Carlton Fisk, , Carl ton Red Sox players, manager, coaches, and SPECIAL ORDERS Yastrzemski, , Johnny Pesky, Dom support staff whose hard work, dedication, DiMaggio, , and Ted Williams; and spirit made this all possible; The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under Whereas the 2004 postseason produced new (3) commends— the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- Red Sox legends, including Derek Lowe, (A) the St. Louis Cardinals for a valiant uary 7, 2003, and under a previous order Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling, Tim Wake- performance during the 2004 season and the of the House, the following Members field, Jason Varitek, Keith Foulke, Manny World Series; will be recognized for 5 minutes each. Ramirez, David Ortiz, Johnny Damon, Trot (B) the fans and management of the St. Nixon, Orlando Cabrera, Kevin Millar, Mike Louis Cardinals for allowing the Red Sox f Timlin, Alan Embree, , Bill fans from Boston and around the Nation to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Mueller, and Dave Roberts; celebrate their first title in 86 years at their previous order of the House, the gen- Whereas Red Sox Manager Terry Francona home field; and tleman from Indiana (Mr. BURTON) is brought fresh leadership to the clubhouse (4) directs the Clerk of the House of Rep- recognized for 5 minutes. this year, and brought together a self-pro- resentatives to transmit an enrolled copy of (Mr. BURTON of Indiana addressed claimed ‘‘band of idiots’’ and made them into this resolution to— (A) the 2004 Boston Red Sox team; the House. His remarks will appear one of the greatest Red Sox teams of all hereafter in the Extensions of Re- time; (B) Red Sox Manager Terry Francona; Whereas Red Sox owners John Henry and (C) Red Sox General Manager Theo Ep- marks.) Tom Werner and Red Sox President and stein; f (D) Red Sox President and Chief Executive Chief Executive Officer Larry Lucchino A FISCAL U-TURN: BACK IN THE never wavered from their goal of bringing a Officer Larry Lucchino; World Series Championship to Boston; (E) Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry; HOLE AND STILL DIGGING Whereas Red Sox General Manager Theo and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Epstein assembled a team with strong pitch- (F) Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner. previous order of the House, the gen- ing, a crushing offense, and most important, The resolution was agreed to. tleman from California (Mr. SCHIFF) is the heart and soul of a champion; AMENDMENT TO THE PREAMBLE OFFERED BY recognized for 5 minutes. Whereas the Red Sox never trailed in any MR. OSE of the 36 of the World Series; Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, earlier Whereas the Red Sox set a new major Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I offer an today I joined many of my colleagues league record by winning eight consecutive amendment to the preamble. in Little Rock, Arkansas, for the offi- games in the postseason; The Clerk read as follows: cial dedication of the William Jefferson

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