Honoring the life and career of Willie Shoemaker and expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to his family and friends on his death.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 439) honoring the life and career of Willie Shoemaker and expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to his family and friends on his death.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration, H. Res. 439.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

On behalf of the Committee on Government Reform, and particularly on behalf of the sponsor, our colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes), I rise in support of House Resolution 439, which honors the life and career of one of horse racing's most legendary figures, Willie Shoemaker.

Willie Shoemaker ranks second all-time among jockeys in career wins, with 8,833. During his unbelievable 42-year career, Shoemaker won each of horse racing's Triple Crown events multiple times. He won the Preakness twice, he won the Kentucky Derby four times, and prevailed at the Belmont Stakes five times. Remarkably, at age 54, while riding the horse Ferdinand, he became the oldest jockey ever to win the Kentucky Derby in 1986.

After entering his first professional race at age 17 in 1949, Shoemaker made his last mount, number 40,352 of his incredible career, in 1990. The following year, he was involved in a tragic auto accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Shoemaker remained focused on his desire to return to horse racing in any possible capacity. Indeed, he returned to the sport he loved as a trainer in a supervisory role on September 29, 1991, less than 6 months after his accident.

Madam Speaker, perhaps horse racing's greatest and most renowned jockey ever passed away in his sleep last October 12 at the age of 72 at his home in Santa Anita, California. I commend the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes) for working to honor Willie Shoemaker with this timely and deserved resolution, and I urge all Members to support House Resolution 439.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to urge support for this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, ``Pound for pound, he's got to be the greatest living athlete'' in racing, writer Red Smith once wrote of Willie Shoemaker. This resolution honors Willie Shoemaker, who was one of the most successful and respected jockeys ever to mount a thoroughbred.

Willie Shoemaker was born in 1931 in Fabens, Texas. He later moved to southern California, where he cleaned stables and began riding thoroughbreds. Once ``Shoe,'' as he was called, began racing, he quickly learned how to win. In his career, Willie Shoemaker won 8,833 races, a record that stood for 29 years.

One of Willie Shoemaker's most memorable rides was in the 1986 Kentucky Derby. He guided Ferdinand through the pack of Derby competitors to victoriously cross the finish line 2\1/2\ lengths ahead. At age 54, he became the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby.

Willie Shoemaker made an impression on our Nation not just as an athlete but as a person. In 1957, Shoemaker was poised to win the Kentucky Derby when he misjudged a finish line and eased up too soon, losing the race. He turned his mistake into something positive by honoring Ralph Lowe, the owner of the horse Shoemaker was riding, who handled Shoemaker's loss with grace. Shoemaker endowed the Ralph Lowe Trophy to be presented annually to a distinguished racing competitor for good sportsmanship.

After he was severely injured in a car accident, Shoemaker used his talents in other ways. He served as honorary chairman of the Paralysis Project and served as director of the Shoemaker Foundation, which provides support to those injured in horse racing.

This resolution honors Willie Shoemaker and expresses condolences to his family and friends. Though his loss is certainly felt by many, the memory and legend of Willie Shoemaker and his perseverance will endure. People will certainly remember him as a great jockey, but also remember him as a great humanitarian. He used his ability, his presence not only to win races but to help us all understand that when you give of yourself that is when you are really at your best. Willie Shoemaker was the best.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on October 13, 2003, America was saddened by the death of Willie Shoemaker at the age of 72. Born in Fabens, TX, which I represent, Shoemaker has truly been an inspiration to his family and his community alike.

Arguably the most successful jockey in the history of horse racing, ``Shoe,'' lead the life of champions. Competing for the first time at the age of 18, Shoemaker retired in 1990 with an impressive 8,833 victories. Accomplishments such as winning four Kentucky Derbies, five Belmont Stakes, and three Preakness Stakes established Shoemaker among the elite; Willie Shoemaker is a member of thoroughbred racing's Hall of Fame and the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

On April 8, 1991, just over a year after his retirement, Willie Shoemaker was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Paralyzation did not diminish Shoemaker's character or spirit. As an honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Paralysis Project of America, the progress toward finding a cure for paralysis, by spinal cord injury, was greatly accelerated.

I would like to thank the lead cosponsor of this resolution, Mr. Dreier of California, for his work on this resolution, as well as the Chairman and Ranking Member for helping bring this resolution to the floor.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor such an outstanding individual from my community. I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution. Our strongest condolences goes out to his family and friends as we honor the life and legendary career in horse racing of Willie Shoemaker.

Madam Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues in honoring the life and career of Willie Shoemaker, arguably the most successful jockey in the history of horse racing.

Willie Shoemaker, also known as the ``Shoe'', had a storied career, beginning at age 18, and continuing on for 41 amazing years. In that time he compiled 8,833 victories, including four Kentucky Derbies, five Belmont Stakes, and three Preakness Stakes.

It was in my district, at Arcadia's Santa Anita park, that Willie Shoemaker was truly at home, and where he so often made history. There, on March 3, 1985, while riding Lord at War at the Santa Antia Handicap, he became the first jockey to total $100,000,000 in purse winning. On February 3, 1990, Santa Anita hosted the final race of his long career, after which Shoemaker went on to become a trainer.

Tragically, Shoemaker was critically injured in an auto accident just over 1 year after his retirement. But though paralyzed from the neck down and confined to a wheelchair, he refused to give up his love for horses. Just 6 months after his accident, Willie was back at Santa Anita, where he supervised training activities.

When Willie Shoemaker passed away at his San Marino home on October 13, 2003, at the age of 72, the world lost a true sporting legend and an exemplary human being. I therefore urge my colleagues to join with me in remembering and honoring his life and legendary career.