Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ms. Peggy E. Whitehead.

Peggy E. Whitehead is originally from Virginia but relocated to New York to start her career after graduating from high school. Ms. Whitehead has worked over two decades as a bacteriologist in the lab of the Howard Johnson Corporation. Upon the closing of the facility, she hit the ground running. Determination has always been a major player in her life.

Through the years, she was promoted several times to where she is today. She holds the title of Assistant Coordinating Manager in the Ambulatory Care Department (Sub- Specialty) at Queens Hospital, where she is responsible for day to day operations of twenty clinics.

Ms. Whitehead has received the prestigious Ace Award which signifies excellence, leadership and innovation. In addition, she also received the employee of the month award on the same day. She is a member of the Greenway Angels, an organization founded by her sister, Rosetta Garrett, eight years ago. She has been a volunteer for over six years, within the American Cancer Society. She works on many events, from Making Strides, to RELAY FOR LIFE, to helping with health fairs, all of which are so vital to getting information out to the community. The Ronald McDonald House of New Hyde Park, NY has been an ongoing labor of love event for her in the past seven years. She prepares a feast for the families of the children confined to the Snyder Hospital.

She also participates in the annual New York Aids Walk. New York has the largest Aids Walk in the world, raising millions of dollars each year. Peggy has volunteered her services for eight years.

Ms. Whitehead worked with pride on the Obama Campaign and traveled to Washington, DC for the historic inauguration. Whether doing work for the Diabetic Walk or coordinating a drive to help the homeless, she goes about each project with relentless vigor and vitality that speaks to who she is.

She has three children--Jerry, Jennifer, and Karen, and seven grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Peggy E. Whitehead.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Music Advancement Program at The Juilliard School.

The Music Advancement Program (MAP) is a Saturday instrument- instruction program that was created in 1990. MAP targets students, ages eight to fourteen, who are underrepresented in the performing arts. The program is designed to help students at the early stage of their musical development on violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, percussion, and piano. MAP has served families by providing education workshops on diverse topics, information about various concert opportunities and a literacy program for younger siblings of MAP students. MAP has also supported New York City public school music teachers by building upon their work, starting where most school instrumental programs must end, and by motivating students to excel in all of their endeavors. Through MAP, The Juilliard School has demonstrated its commitment to being a cultural citizen in New York City by reaching out to underrepresented communities and investing in a future arts community that is diverse in its performers, educators, audiences, and patrons. This exemplary program has enriched the lives of countless students, and will continue to provide valuable opportunities in the performing arts for underprivileged students in New York City schools.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Music Advancement Program at The Juilliard School.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Javanni Agard, born July 15, 1991 to Valencia Thorne and Darrelle Agard.

Javanni is a graduate of the Urban Assembly School for Law and Justice. This small setting has worked to her advantage making it easy to obtain exceptional grades and learn how to be professional in the business world. During her sophomore year of high school, she was given the opportunity to participate in an internship at The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office. She worked as an intern for paralegals, assisting them with paperwork, filing, copying and other forms of clerical work. However, this internship opened her eyes to things she had only seen on television. She was able to visit the Supereme Court and view cases, learing what it was like to be a lawyer in the Courtroom.

During her junior year of high school, she was assigned to help out in the Red Hook Senior Home and at an organization called Furnish a Future. Taking part in these organizations helped her to understand what it meant to help someone else, that it's not always about self, but helping those in need.

Javanni is a member of Berean Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York, where Rev. Dr. Arlee Griffin, Jr. is her Pastor. She participated in the Ministry of Sacred Dance and the Girl Scouts.

Javanni currently attends John Jay College of Criminal Justice as a first year student. During her college experience, she hopes to participate in internships and possibly take part in study abroad. After her success at John Jay, she will attend Law School.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Javanni Agard.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mark E. Evans who was born in Brent, England on September 5, 1968. At the age of twelve, he and his siblings migrated to the United States to live with his parents in Queens Village, New York. He attended PS 109 Junior High School and Newtown High School.

Following his High School graduation in 1987, Mr. Evans enlisted in the United States Army. He completed Basic Training at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, as well as his advance military occupational skill training as an Interior Electrician. While on active duty, he was stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, South Korea and Fort McClellan, Alabama. He also served six months in the Middle East during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

In August 1991, after spending four years on active duty, Mark returned home to Queens Village and attended York College in Queens while maintaining his attachment to the Military as a member of the Army Reserve. He met his wife Sonia through a mutual friend in December 1992 and on August 17, 1997 they were married.

Mark worked full time, attended college and was a Weekend Warrior with the Army Reserve. His hard work and dedication paid off upon receipt of a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in 1998. In 1999, Mark started the process of becoming a New York City Police Officer. By October 2000, he graduated from the New York City Police Academy, and he was assigned to the 30th Precinct in Harlem. Following 9/11, he was transferred to Manhattan Traffic Task Force, where he would better service the department by effectively managing ground zero. To this day, he continues to patrol the streets of Manhattan.

In his continuation of military service, he served with the 344th Combat Support Hospital in Flushing, New York and 445th Quartermaster Company in Trenton, New Jersey. He was deployed to Iraq where he served one year in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is currently serving with the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion in Danbury, Connecticut as the First Sergeant for Headquarters Company. He is expected to deploy to Afghanistan in 2010.

With twenty-two years of military service and ten years as a New York City Police Officer, he is committed to improving our society by serving our nation both domestically and abroad. His dedication to duty, as a father of two (Gordan and Nyah), husband, Soldier and Police Officer is unwavering.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Mark E. Evans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Sajda Musawwir Ladner, an artist, community activist and educator.

She is one of the founders as well as the Artistic/Executive Director of Universal Temple of the Arts (UTA). UTA is a non-profit, community based organization focusing on creative development, education, multicultural and entrepreneurial programs, that has served Staten Island since the late 1960's. These programs are held both on and off site and include classes in the New York City Department of Education system.

She has worked intensively with young people as a Cultural Enrichment Specialist with organizations such as the YMCA, the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) Youth Employment Program, Neighborhood Youth Corp, and the Board of Education. Presently, Mrs. Ladner is on the staff of Doing Art Together at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Staten Island Museum as an Art Educator.

Sajda Musawwir Ladner is a Fashion/costume designer and owner of Saadia Fine Art Fashions. She has created costumes for many dance companies including Alvin Ailey II, the Fred Benjamin Dance Company, Eleo Pomare Dance Company, The Mary Anthony Dance Theater and the Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre where she was resident costume designer and wardroom mistress.

Mrs. Ladner is a professional dancer having had the honor of being asked to perform for President Nelson Mandela of South Africa when he visited New York shortly after his release from prison. She specializes in Jazz Improvisation and has worked with Barrie Harris, Reggie Workman and the Sun Ra Arkestra. Mrs. Ladner is a member of the On the Rock DanceTheatre based on Staten Island.

Mrs. Ladner serves on the Board of Directors of the Northfield Development Corporation and the Children's Harbor Montessori School. She is a member of the National Council of Negro Women, the NAACP and Staten Island Peach Action.

Mrs. Ladner has an administrative background in business and law. She represented Staten Island at the 13th Annual Harlem Mother's Day Parade. The parade honors mothers who work in the community. She has been the recipient of many awards for community service. Sajda Musawwir Ladner is the wife of Edward Ladner and mother of five daughters.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Sajda Musawwir Ladner.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ms. Cerisa Howard, a native of New York born to William E. Clark and the late Lela F. Clark.

Ms. Howard has worked with St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corporation for 13 years in various positions. She started as a Youth Coordinator working with at-risk youth in the community where she found jobs, scholarships, facilitated college enrollment, initiated educational trips and acquired funding resources to aid youth. Additionally, Ms. Howard has helped youth with everyday life issues and has always been available to lend a listening ear.

Ms. Howard, also, has worked as a clerical supervisor in the Human Support Department of St. Nicholas High School. In this capacity she managed clients' files, supervised the clerical staff and assisted the nurses with home visit documentation.

Presently, she is the Senior Property Manager of the St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corporation, now known as the St. Nicks Alliance, Where Opportunity Grows. She manages 275 housing units with a maintenance crew that administers repairs, upkeep, and security.

Ms. Howard is a member of Berean Baptist Church, under the Pastor of Rev. Dr. Arlee Griffin, Jr. She is the Vice Servant Leader of the Pastoral Support Ministry and serves as the coordinator of the annual Thanksgiving Dinner that is served for the homeless and shut-ins on Thanksgiving Day.

Ms. Howard is a loving mother of two sons, William and Raymond, and the proud grandmother of twin grandsons, Ryan and Tylan.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Cerisa Howard.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Marian Jackson a resident of Staten Island, NY for over thirty years and an innovative entrepreneur.

Ms. Jackson is currently the President of MJ Kreavtivy specializing in personal shopping and unique gifts. In addition, Ms. Jackson is a travel consultant with the Our Gang Travel Agency. She is well versed in cruise group venues and has a following of over one hundred dedicated travelers.

Ms. Jackson's businesses have contributed to numerous community organizations including the Universal Temple which supports youth development and education in the arts and heritage awareness on Staten Island.

Prior to starting her own businesses, Ms. Jackson was associated with several entertainment firms such as ARISTA Records, ABC Television, Columbia pictures, and Night Fall Productions as an Associate Producer.

Ms. Jackson has served as Public Relations Chairperson for the National Association of Market Developers and was active in the Democratic political community working with the Obama campaign and other Democratic Party endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Marian Jackson.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mrs. Bettie L. Jones who has retired after devoting over 25 years as an Associate Director and Human Resources Business Partner for Global Operations, Foreign Exchange Sales & Trading and Fixed Income Trade Support for a leading Investment Banking and Securities firm on Wall Street.

Mrs. Jones was responsible for administrative management, staffing, coaching and employee relations. In this capacity, she delivered, facilitated, and conducted motivational presentations about in-person job readiness workshops, seminars and panels.

During her professional career Mrs. Jones was an active member of several Business Advisory boards such as the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, Department of Education Virtual Enterprise Program, JOB, Inc., National Business Disability Council, the New York Academy of Finance, and a member of the Urban Financial Services Coalition.

She was commissioned to facilitate multiple workshops, panel discussions, seminars and focus groups with diversity organizations, including CUNY Graduate Center, Baruch College of Economics and Finance, Academy of Finance, Hunter College, Mission Society Hope Program, National Mentoring Program, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the New York City Department of Education.

Mrs. Jones partnered and maintained relationships with several non- profit organizations including the Mayor's and Governor's offices resulting in receiving the ``NYS NDEAM Regional Employment Alliance'' award and the ``Governor's VESID Placement Consortium'' award in recognition of her dedication and commitment to hiring individuals with disabilities. In addition, Mrs. Jones was awarded the New York City Department of Education Virtual Enterprise ``Partner in Leadership Award'' in recognition of assisting High School students in career development.

Currently Mrs. Jones is a volunteer consultant with the Workforce 1 Center in Harlem conducting career-readiness workshops for the community training and Employment Resources program.

Mrs. Jones is married to Robert Jones and they have one daughter, Kenya, and two grandchildren, Ejaaz and Amani.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Bettie L. Jones.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Danny King, an exemplary community leader.

Mr. King is a 22 year veteran of the New York City Police Department, Board Member of the Central Brooklyn Coordinating Council Inc., Chairperson of the Neighborhood Advisory Board, Board Member of the New York City Department of Youth Community and Development, to name a few. In addition, he served 8 years as the President of the Atlantic Avenue Housing Development Fund Corporation and served 2 years on the USA Women's Shelter Board. He was a member of the Bedford Avenue Boys and Girls Club for over eight years with great memories and many stories to tell.

As President of Youth on the Move Victory over Violence, he continues to support scholarships and awareness programs to combat violence. He humbly received several leadership awards from company employees such as the 2009 Man of the Year Award, 2008 Exemplary Community Award from New Life Center of Truth, a citation as 2007 Distinguished Humanitarian Award from Senator John Sampson's Office, Cambridge Who's Who 2007, Thomas R. Fortune Exemplary 2004 Service Award, 2003 Martin Luther King Spirit of New York Award, Beacon of Hope Award, Wayside Baptist Church Senior Program Leadership Award and many other awards and achievements.

Mr. King currently serves as the CEO of the Federation of Multicultural Programs Inc., and the Federation of Multicultural Programs of New Jersey, Inc. This company is a service provider of intermediate care group homes, individualized residential alternative homes, community residential homes and programs that include Day Habilitation Programs, a Respite Program, and a Medicaid Service Coordination Program, with services spreading throughout the Boroughs of Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan and Counties in the State of New Jersey.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Danny King.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ms. Joan Hevony Lawrence Crawford who was born in Costa Rica, Central America.

In her young life, Ms. Crawford made the decision to immigrate to the United States with her husband and two young children in order to provide a better life for their family. While in America, she was determined to be a successful educated black woman and she continued her education by completing her high school diploma at the ``Boys and Girls'' High School in Brooklyn, New York. After receiving her high school diploma she then went on to Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) to further her studies. While in school, she discovered that she has a passion for helping her community and decided to pursue a career in medicine.

Ms. Crawford's passion and dedication was shown everyday of the thirty-five years she worked at Coney Island Hospital. She was always a hard worker and cared very much for her patients. While at Coney Island she received many promotions and eventually retired as a medical/ surgical technician.

Even though she retired in 1996 from Coney Island Hospital, her life did not slow down. After retirement, she became very active in her religious life at East New York Seventh-day Church (ENYSDA). At ENYSDA she is a

very active deaconess where she volunteers for Vacation Bible School, serves for funerals and performs daily church duties. When Ms. Crawford is not serving her community through her church, she enjoys activities such as bowling, shopping, needlepoint and family gatherings.

Ms. Crawford's family includes her husband Dowel Stewart and two daughters, Sonia and Betty, four granddaughters, Nikita Griffith, Tenesha Lewis, Xiomara Okonkwo and Cherrise Lewis and four great grandchildren, Anaiya Davis, Gyselle Brown, Michael Brown and Laila Davis.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Joan Hevony Lawrence Crawford.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. Leonel Urcuyo and his commitment as a physician of mental health.

After graduating college in Nicaragua and medical school in Madrid, the newly titled doctor began an internship at McGill University in Montreal and did his residency in Psychiatry at New York University, Bellevue Medical Center. By 1975, Dr. Urcuyo was a certified Psychoanalyst for the American Institute for Psychoanalysis for the Karen Horney Psychoanalytic Institute and Center in New York City.

For the past 27 years Dr. Urcuyo has held varying positions at Woodhull Hospital including service as Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and President of the Woodhull Medical Group. Dr. Urcuyo received one of the highest honors from the Woodhull Auxiliary Annual Gala, and the distinguished Health Excellence Award from Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation/Urban Resource Institute. He is also the proud recipient of the Unsung Hero Community Service Award for Helping Hands, and mostly recently received a Service Citation from New York University School of Medicine.

He is the founding member of the Association of Hispanic Mental Health Professionals, and has published and lectured on many topics including: delivery of care issues, language barriers in evaluating pathology, bilingualism, cross-cultural issues in mental health and chemical dependency, language and psychotherapy, meaning of silence in psychotherapy, elective mutism, cognitive restructuring, depression and suicide.

Dr. Urcuyo is married to Sue Ellen Carney, Ph.D., and is the proud father of two children, Dr. Sergio Urcuyo and Ms. Anya Elena Urcuyo.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. Leonel Urcuyo.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Jennette Eichelberger Waiters who was born in Columbia, South Carolina. Mrs. Waiters migrated to Brooklyn, NY to further her education.

Mrs. Waiters worked at Kings County Hospital as a nurse's aide and then attended Wyckoff Hospital School of Practical Nursing. She returned to Kings County Hospital and attended New York City Community College to obtain her Associate's Degree in Nursing and made the Dean's list. Mrs. Waiters worked as a head nurse in the chest clinic for 14 years. She worked a total of 45 years in Kings County Hospital doing the things she loves most, caring for the sick and the elderly. Mrs. Waiters worked six months with the Department of Health and also was a relief supervisor at the Metropolitan Jewish Geriatric Center on some weekends for 12 years.

Mrs. Waiters is a God-loving person. She does community work assisting the elderly on shopping trips and helping them to keep their doctors' appointments when needed. She belongs to Bethany Baptist Church where she serves on the Senior Ladies Usher Board as Vice President and a member of the Nurses Unit. She is a member of the Stark Senior Center and is Queen of the Red Hat Society. Mrs. Waiters encourages our youth to continue and pursue their highest goals in education so that they can accomplish anything in life.

Mrs. Waiters continues to work at community outreach health fairs, passing on information to senior citizens to enhance their health and well being. She loves giving and sharing with others. Her mission in life is to help others. She is a lady of fashion and participates in numerous fashion shows. She is a member of the acting guild where she has performed in a play called ``The Family Feud.''

She was married to the late Andrew J. Waiters. She has two children, Bernard and Janet. She has four grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. She is affectionately known as ``Grandma'' Waiters by many.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Jennette Eichelberger Waiters.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Deacon Willie James, an extraordinary community organizer who will be missed by Brooklyn.

Deacon Willie James a native New Yorker, was born in Harlem Hospital on April 28th, 1936. When he was 18 years old he entered the Air Force and served 4 years doing a stint in Maine and Morocco. Of his many accomplishments, he was a very proud member of the 80th Supply Squadron and received the Good Conduct Medal for his demonstration of honor, efficiency and fidelity.

Willie had a true love of music and was an accomplished Baritone. While in the service, he and a few other airmen formed a doo-wop vocal group that covered songs by the Platters as well as other groups. Willie would often say that the group was so good that the people in Morocco actually thought they were the real Platters!

Later in life he would return to Harlem finding work as a shipping clerk. What Willie considered the highest point in his life, was when he met and married his late wife of 41 years, Rosabelle Moyd. It would prove to be a blessed union of love. Shortly after marriage, he joined the New York City Police Department and then in 1967 began his career with the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 under the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority (MABSTOA). He started with a metal-plating company where he was assigned to a unit with workers who were perceived by some to be derelict workers beset by alcohol and laziness.

Never one to look down upon anyone, but seeing the opportunity to help others; he discovered his masterful skill of organizing workers. He told workers if they worked with him he would make a case to management to get them higher wages. After a series of meetings and negotiations with the bosses, he won raises for the workers and developed a promotional ladder for himself.

He rose through the ranks of TWU Local 100 and held a series of positions; MABSTOA DIVISION II Bus Operator, Division II Recording Secretary, Vice Chairman, Chairman at Amsterdam Garage, Executive Board as Director of Education and Training and Financial Secretary Treasurer. As he continued climbing the ladder of TWU he recalled how he continuously endured blatant racism; but in February 1996 he defied the odds to become the first black President of TWU Local 100. He was quoted as saying ``The members don't care what color I am as long as I protect their jobs''.

In addition to his roles with TWU Local 100 he was Vice President of New York AFL-CIO, Vice President of the New York City Central Labor Council and Vice President of international TWU. He also held the title of Chairman for one of the oldest and largest Credit Unions in the State of New York, the Municipal Credit Union. Willie would further his accomplishments by attaining the post of Executive Board Member of the New York Branch of the NAACP.

I could continue to list all of Deacon Willie James' accomplishments, because they go on and on. I will just say that the world will truly miss this deeply involved civic community organizer. I am happy that I had the opportunity to work with him on many special projects and to live during his lifetime.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Deacon Willie James.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 893) congratulating the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series Champions, the New York Yankees.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today as a proud New Yorker to call up this resolution honoring the New York Yankees on the occasion of their victory in the 2009 World Series.

With this win, the Yankees once again have broken their own record as the most successful Major League Baseball franchise, and of course the most successful professional sports franchise in our Nation's history.

The achievements of the Yankees are made even more remarkable by the high caliber of the teams they faced throughout the season and in the playoffs. The defending champions, the Philadelphia Phillies, had an outstanding season and performed well during the World Series. But Wednesday night, the Yankees once again returned the World Series trophy to New York City, the 27th time they have done this.

We are proud of our Yankees, and I could go on and on for hours discussing the Yankees. I recall just last weekend I spent time with friends of mine, Dr. Witherspoon and Dr. Brown, talking about the Yankees of yesteryear and today. And of course we talked about the long line of outstanding players and the great success that they have had. We talked about Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and of course now we can talk about Matsui as well.

We have important business to consider in this House today and tomorrow, but it is fitting that we take a small amount of time now to congratulate the New York Yankees on their World Series victory.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from Utah for his kind words. I am happy to hear him say something great about New York, and of course our Yankees in particular.

I would like to yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from New York who actually represents the area where the Yankees play, and of course that's Congressman Serrano from the Bronx, New York.

Madam Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining?

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, before I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York, I would just like to say that, for a moment there, I thought the gentleman from Texas was trying to help us close a doughnut hole, but after a point there, I wasn't sure as to where he was going. First, he praised the Yankees, and then at the same time, he indicated that there were some problems. The point is that, at the end, he indicated that he was very supportive of the Yankees.

We want to thank you for that.

I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

Does the gentleman have other speakers?

How much time do we have available on this side, Madam Speaker?

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I just want to make certain my friend from Utah understands what we are talking about here this morning. I think he is confused. I think he thinks this is H.R. 3962, but this is a resolution congratulating the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series Champions, which is the New York Yankees. I want to make certain that he understands that's what this discussion is about because for a moment there I thought he was talking about H.R. 3962. I understand that debate is going to be tomorrow.

I don't know whether he is generally a day early in matters of this nature or what, but the point is that I just want to make it clear to let him know that's what we are talking about, the New York Yankees who won the World Series, and this resolution deals with that. I just want to sort of remind him, just in case he had forgotten what we were talking about. He is a very good friend of mine, incidentally. We have been traveling together and all of that. I am telling you this morning I am convinced that he is confused. This is about baseball, of the Yankees winning the World Series, and he keeps thinking it's about health care.

I just want to make certain that he knows that because I listened to his comments very carefully, and I can't see anything that connects with baseball in the conversation that he has put forward. I thought maybe one time he was talking about somebody striking out, but then I listened real carefully, and no, maybe he is talking about hitting a home run. Then I listened a little carefully, and he wasn't talking about a home run. Then I realized that he was just confused about the issue this morning.

Let's me just say to you, Madam Speaker, the story of the New York Yankees and the story of baseball is the story of America. With hard work, talent, the support of a community, and a little bit of luck, they have been able to find success.

When I think about the Bronx and what this team has done, not only for the Bronx but for the City of New York and the Nation in terms of how people rallied around, and the economic development that has come out of it and the fact that people have been able to be provided with a lot of things they would not have been able to be provided with as a result of their success and as a result of them being placed in the Bronx, I want you to know that I see this as truly a team effort in terms of the community being involved; of course, in terms of the City of New York being involved; and of course, the Nation being involved because of the fact that, as my colleague from New York, Congressman Engel, pointed out that you see people all around the world wearing hats that say New York, New York Yankees, because they are proud and they know in terms of what the team has meant not only to the city but to the Nation.

On this note, Madam Speaker, I, of course, say to my colleague, this is H. Res. 893 congratulating Major League Baseball and not H.R. 3962.

I would be delighted to yield to the gentleman from New York.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from the Bronx, Mr. Serrano.

Madam Speaker, let me say to the gentleman from Utah, one of the great athletes of our time holds records in terms of kicks, field goals, extra points, all of that, a person who should be deeply indebted to sports and to athletics because I am certain that he said sometime during his life that I would not be what I am or I could not be what I am if it had not been for sports. I am sure he has made speeches and has said that along the way, that

everything that I am and everything I hope to be, I owe it to football. I am certain he said it.

But then to come this morning and to ignore the accomplishments of a team that won the World Series--and we are pausing for 20 minutes to say congratulations--I don't think, to me, that's out of line.

But I do think that when you twist it and you talk about something else that's not related to the resolution, I think that's unfair, and I think that I would use a word that might be a little strong for him. I would say that's inappropriate on this occasion anyway, recognizing that I know that he has been very involved in athletics.

Of course, Madam Speaker, I would like to take this time to recognize the Yankees again and to say to them and to Mr. Steinbrenner and, of course, Randy Levine and all of them that had the opportunity to put together this magnificent team that has made all of us proud.

Of course, we again salute the New York Yankees, the world champions, who happens to be a team that is based in the Bronx.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.