March 31, 2008 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 4 4557 League Baseball Executive Vice President of Baseball Tournament, MLB hopes to help TRIBUTE TO PORTLAND STATE Operations Jimmie Lee Solomon. ‘‘This these programs revitalize baseball in the Af- UNIVERSITY MEN’S BASKETBALL tournament, along with the other programs rican American community. TEAM at the MLB Urban Youth Academy, the Civil The MLB Urban Youth Baseball Academy Rights Game and many of our other efforts, encompasses more than 15 acres on the cam- is reflective of the League’s commitment to pus of El Camino College, Compton Center, HON. DAVID WU diversity, inclusion and engagement of our the Academy is a state-of-the-art facility OF OREGON nation’s young people. Our goal is to make featuring four fields including a show field, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sure that every child who wants to play base- batting cages and other training facilities. ball has an opportunity to do so.’’ The Academy operates on a year-round basis, Monday, March 31, 2008 Tournament games will be played at the offering free baseball and softball instruc- Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise today to MLB Urban Youth Academy, USC’s Dedeaux tion, as well as clinics to youth throughout congratulate the Portland State University Field and UCLA’s Jackie Robinson Stadium Southern California. men’s basketball team on achieving their first- beginning Friday, February 29 and con- f tinuing through Sunday, March 2. Both ever berth to the NCAA Division I Champion- games on Saturday, March 1, 2008, will be IN HONOR OF MICHAEL J. HARE ship Tournament. The Vikings capped off their played at the MLB Urban Youth Academy historic season with a 67–51 win in the Big and broadcast live on ESPN2. Fans attending HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE Sky Conference Championship game over on that day will also be entertained by a live OF DELAWARE Northern Arizona University at the Rose Gar- performance of Southern University’s, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES den in Portland. PSU finished their regular ‘‘Human Jukebox’’ and USC’s Trojan March- season with a 23–9 record, and were ing Band, as they bring their unique musical Monday, March 31, 2008 performances to Compton, California. Be- undefeated in the Big Sky Conference Tour- thune-Cookman University and Southern Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with nament. On Sunday, the Vikings will learn who University baseball teams will square off great pleasure that I rise today to recognize they will play in the first round of the ‘‘Big against each other at 1 p.m. (PST) on Sun- Michael J. Hare, deputy director of the River- Dance.’’ day at the Academy. front Development Corporation of Delaware. The NCAA Tournament is one of the great ‘‘ESPN is proud to be associated with Mike has been an important figure there since institutions in all of collegiate sports. It brings Major League Baseball’s urban initiatives,’’ April 1996, but has decided to take a new di- together the best college teams from across said Len DeLuca, ESPN Senior Vice Presi- rection and join the Bucchini Pollin Group. our Nation to compete for basketball’s greatest dent, Programming and Acquisitions. ‘‘The Mike will be working on the new soccer sta- second Civil Rights Game and new Urban In- prize. Oregon is proud of every one of these vitational—40 years since the tragic death of dium in Chester, Pennsylvania. outstanding young men and their coaches. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—are on the Mike started working for the Delaware Eco- It is also fitting that we should take this op- heels of our observance last year of the 60th nomic Development office in 1989. After 6 portunity to recognize the entire Portland State anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the years, he became a senior development spe- community. As Oregon’s largest university, color barrier. ESPN is honored to join with cialist under Governor Thomas R. Carper. PSU is a source of pride for our State. The Vi- MLB to celebrate baseball’s cultural his- Throughout the past 12 years, Mike has been king’s athletic achievements reflect the spirit tory.’’ an integral part of the Riverfront Development and work ethic of their university, and I am Tickets to the games being played at the Corporation. He assisted in the construction of proud to honor their achievement today. MLB Urban Youth Academy will be available the Amtrak Consolidated National Operations for purchase on game day for $5. Proceeds Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize from the ticket sale will benefit the Major Center, the Chase Center on the Riverfront, each member of the PSU men’s basketball League Baseball Urban Youth Academy, Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, the team individually, beginning with Head Coach which is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) corpora- Riverwalk, Christina Landing, and the Justison Ken Bone, Assistant Head Coach Tyler tion. Landing. Mike also worked to bring AAA Mid- Geving, Assistant Coaches Curtis Allen and ‘‘On behalf of our team, I would like to say Atlantic’s headquarters to the Wilmington river- Eric Harper, and Director of Basketball Oper- how honored we are to have been invited to front. ations Tyler Coston. Furthermore, I congratu- an event like this, especially in its first Mike was born and raised in Wilmington, late the 2007–2008 PSU Viking’s: Kyle year,’’ said Bethune-Cookman Coach Mervyl Delaware. He attended Archmere Academy, Melendez. ‘‘We hope that the Urban Invita- Coston, Brian Curtis, Jeremiah Dominguez, tional Baseball Tournament continues to where he currently serves on the board of di- Justynn Hammond, Deonte Huff, Jaime Jones, grow and more people notice what Major rectors. He graduated from the University of Lucas Dupree, Tyrell Mara, J.R. Moore, Scott League Baseball is doing for college baseball St. Joseph’s, where he earned his bachelor’s Morison, Andre Murray, Phil Nelson, Mickey and Historically Black Colleges.’’ degree in public administration. Mike serves Polis, Julius Thomas, Alex Tiefenthaler and ‘‘Our program is very excited to represent on the National Alumni Board for St. Joseph’s Dominic Waters. UCLA in the tournament at the MLB Acad- and was honored with the Ignatius Award in Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues to emy,’’ said UCLA coach John Savage. ‘‘We 1995 for outstanding alumni involvement and join me in congratulating these outstanding are honored to be able to play in the inau- service. Mike also attended the Fels Center of gural event. Our players are looking forward young men. On behalf of the entire State of to the exciting weekend of baseball.’’ Government at the University of Pennsylvania. Oregon, congratulations and good luck. Go Vi- Major League Baseball is committed to ad- Being a Delaware native, Mike has contrib- kings. dressing the issue of African American par- uted many years of service to the State of f ticipation in professional baseball. Through Delaware. He currently sits on the board of di- Reviving Baseball in the hinder Cities pre- rectors for the Latin American Community IN RECOGNITION OF THE CITY OF sented by KPMG and the establishment of Center, the Delaware Stadium Corporation, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS the Major League Baseball Urban Youth the Friends of the Woodlawn Library, the Academy in Compton, California, MLB has Riverfront Wilmington Improvement District, HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH pledged its resources to bringing urban and the Rivers Edge Community Development youth back to America’s pastime. The inau- OF OHIO gural Civil Rights Game in 2007 also rein- Corporation. Not only has he been an active IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES board member for numerous organizations, forced the League’s dedication by paying Monday, March 31, 2008 tribute to legendary African-American play- but Mike has also been a member of the ers who broke barriers and made important Barbelin Society and the Hawk Hoop Club. Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise contributions to American society. I acknowledge Mr. Michael J. Hare for his today in recognition of the city of Middleburg HBCUs have long offered quality education many years of service and numerous contribu- Heights, Ohio on the occasion of the twentieth and athletic programs and have a proud tra- tions to his community and the State of Dela- Anniversary Salute to the City event at the dition of outstanding baseball players. Hall ware. I am confident that Mike will be suc- award-winning Middleburg Heights community of Farrier Lou Brock, former most valuable player Andre Dawson and current Milwaukee cessful and prosperous at his new job with the center. Evolving from the Inaugural Ball, the Brewers star Rickie Weeks, all rose from Bucchini Pollin Group. It is inspiring to see Salute to the City event has paid tribute to in- HBCUs. Twelve HBCU players were selected such an active and influential member of our dividuals, groups, and organizations that col- in the MLB 2007 First-Year Player Draft. community remain committed to the better- lectively work to make Middleburg Heights the Through the annual Urban Invitational ment of Delaware. pride of Ohio and its residents. VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:04 Nov 05, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR08\E31MR8.000 E31MR8 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD.