March 14, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E427 around, trying to make them disappear, I fi- Dodgers have had its share of baseball firsts, Whether you are ‘‘thinking blue,’’ ‘‘bleeding nally had forced one into my mouth, when major league moments, shattered records and Dodger blue’’ or ‘‘praying to the big Dodger in Dad made the announcement. I almost invaluable players—making baseball history the sky,’’ many Angelenos share an intense choked. He’s going to join the military. He’d deployed on April 30th. He said he’s wanted and achieving golden moments over and over loyalty and kinship with their ‘‘Boys in Blue.’’ I to do this for a long time; he’s always want- again. look forward to many more decades of the Los ed to fight for our country, but I don’t want The Dodgers led the geographic expansion Angeles Dodgers’’ community involvement and him to leave. I hope I’m not being selfish, of baseball to the west and managed to pre- history-making baseball accomplishments. but I just don’t think I can watch my daddy serve the New York City cross-town rivalry by f leave with no guarantee he’ll be back. convincing the Giants to move to California as April 29th well. The historic and heated competition be- IN RECOGNITION OF MICHAEL MCDOWELL Tomorrow Dad leaves. Today was family tween the Dodgers and the Giants is more day, I didn’t find it fun. We just spent the than a century old, and is the longest rivalry day together, fretting about everything. Now in baseball history. In 1959 the Dodgers, then HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH I’m trying to sleep, but when I close my playing their second season in Los Angeles, OF OHIO eyes, I see horrible images. played the defending World Champion New IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 30th York Yankees in an exhibition game in Roy Friday, March 14, 2008 Dad’s Gone. I was kind of in a daze as we Campanella’s honor at the Los Angeles Me- drove to the airport. Before he left I gave morial Coliseum. The attendance was Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise him my necklace; it has a little angel on it. 93,103—still the largest crowd ever to attend today in honor of Michael McDowell, former He put it on and said he won’t take it off a Major League Baseball game. The Dodgers Minister of Justice and Attorney General of until he comes home. I’m trying to write Ireland, as we welcome him to Cleveland, through tears, but it’s hard because my vi- are set to make history again when they play sion’s blurring. I don’t know why it didn’t the defending World Champion Boston Red Ohio, on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2008. hit me until right after Dad walked away, Sox in an exhibition game on March 29, 2008, For almost 30 years, Tim Collins and Thom- that I might not see him again. at the Coliseum. The game is expected to as Scanlon have organized the St. Patrick’s August 4th draw the largest baseball crowd since the Day Party and Parade, a festive event that HE’S!! MISSING!! We got a phone call. Dodgers played that historic 1959 game at the brings people together in the heart of Cleve- They said he never came back. Mom prom- same venue. land. On this exceptional day, Cleveland’s ises he’s fine, I try to believe her. It’s okay, The Los Angeles Dodgers earned its reputa- streets are a sea of green, full with the lively I tell myself, but tears keep coming. tion for success with five World Champion- sounds of traditional Irish music, laughter and September 13th ships, nine National League pennants, 15 the spirit of all those joining together to cele- My birthday. A day to never forget. I playoff appearances, eight Cy Young Award brate rich Irish culture. opened the mailbox praying there would be winners, four MVPs, an incredible 12 Rookie Born in Dublin, Ireland in May 1951, Michael something from Dad. And . . . there kinda of the Year recipients (five of which were McDowell followed in the footsteps of his was. It was a teeny-tiny envelope with my handed out in five consecutive years—an un- grandfather by dedicating his life to public name on it. It looked like it was holding matched feat), and numerous other Major service and leadership. Mr. McDowell has a something, a secret waiting to be told, so big League Baseball honors. And in addition to decorated political history as a founding mem- it was about to burst at the seams. I opened these impressive records and awards are ber of the Progressive Democrats Political it and my necklace fell out. My mind turned Party, in which he served as President from to mush, he said he’d wear it until he was other ‘‘golden moments’’ that stand out in the home, but why was it mailed, what if he was minds of Dodgers fans. 2002–2006. While leading the Progressive home . . . just in spirit. OH NO! Thoughts The 1981 Opening Day starting pitcher was Democrats Party, he also held the distin- swirled around in my head like a blender, a 20-year-old rookie from Mexico. Fernando guished post of Tanaiste. He was one of 14 and I sat down on the curb and cried. Later, Valenzuela pitched a shutout that day and Progressive Democrat Teachta Da`la’s elected there was a knock on the door, I slowly proceeded to win his first eight decisions with to Da´il E´ ireann in the 1987 general election, opened it. On the other side was something five shutouts. Later that year Fernando helped the first election after the party was founded. unbelievable; Dad. There he was standing the Dodgers win its first World Series title In this position, he represented Dublin’s South there, home. He had a cast on his leg and since 1965. ‘‘Fernandomania’’ swept through East constituency from 1987–1989, 1992– bandages everywhere, but he smiled as if he’d won the lottery. That’s when he became the baseball world, a culture-crossing phe- 1997 and 2002–2007. In 2002, he began his my hero. nomenon that took Los Angeles and the world 5-year tenure as Ireland’s Minister of Justice, A patriot is a person that loves and defends by storm when Valenzuela won both the Na- Equality and Law Reform, and served as At- their country. It means so much to me, these tional League Rookie of the Year and Cy torney General from 1999 to 2002. people, risking their lives for us. These peo- Young awards, becoming the first player to Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join ple do things that I wouldn’t have the cour- win both in the same year. me in honor and recognition of former Irish age to do, and I would like to say something And all true blue Dodgers fans can close politician, Michael McDowell, for joining us as to them; thank you. their eyes and picture the footage of Kirk Gib- we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Cleveland. f son hobbling around the bases on both hurt Please also join me in recognition of Tim Col- legs, and pumping his fist as he rounds sec- lins and Thomas Scanlon for their efforts in or- IN HONOR OF THE 50TH ANNIVER- ond base, during his pinch-hit home run in ganizing this marvelous St. Patrick’s Day Party SARY OF THE DODGERS IN LOS game one of the 1988 ‘‘Fall Classic.’’ The this year, as they have for almost 30-years. ANGELES Dodgers would go on to win a World Series f upset that year, and Gibson’s ‘‘golden mo- HON. XAVIER BECERRA ment,’’ his single swing, is considered the HONORING CAROLINE WRIGHT OF CALIFORNIA ninth most memorable moment in Major IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES League Baseball history. HON. SAM GRAVES In all likelihood only one or two fans even Friday, March 14, 2008 OF MISSOURI remember one of my personal favorite Dodg- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. BECERRA. Madam Speaker, it is with ers ‘‘golden moments,’’ and I must admit it Friday, March 14, 2008 utmost pleasure and privilege that I rise today was not the bottom of the ninth inning, with to congratulate the Dodgers for calling the City two outs, and the bases loaded. But once Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly of Los Angeles its home for the last 50 years. upon a time, a certain local congressman was pause to recognize Caroline Wright of Blue I’m honored to be participating in the kick off invited to throw the first pitch of a ball game— Springs, Missouri. Caroline is a very special event at the Los Angeles City Hall on March and it was a perfect strike! Such are the heart young woman who has exemplified the finest 28 for what will be a year-long ‘‘Golden Anni- pounding thrills that the Dodgers deliver time qualities of citizenship and leadership by tak- versary’’ celebration. and again. ing an active part in the Girl Scouts of Amer- The Los Angeles Dodgers played their first Madam Speaker, after 50 years of time hon- ica, and earning the most prestigious award of home game on April 18, 1958, defeating the ored tradition in Los Angeles, the Dodgers Girl Scout Gold Award. San Francisco Giants 6–5 before 78,672 fans truly are a community institution. An institution Caroline has been very active with her at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Since I’m proud calls Dodger Stadium in my 31 st troop, participating in many scout activities. In arriving in Los Angeles 50 years ago, the Congressional District of California home. order to receive the prestigious Gold Award,

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