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[DOCID: f:sr168ats.txt]






107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 168

    Congratulating and honoring Cal Ripken, Jr. for his amazing and 
storybook career as a player for the Baltimore Orioles and thanking him 
   for his contributions to baseball, the State of Maryland, and the 
                             United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 4, 2001

 Mr. Sarbanes (for himself, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Hatch, Mr. 
Hutchinson, and Mr. Reid) submitted the following resolution; which was 
                        considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Congratulating and honoring Cal Ripken, Jr. for his amazing and 
storybook career as a player for the Baltimore Orioles and thanking him 
   for his contributions to baseball, the State of Maryland, and the 
                             United States.

Whereas Calvin (Cal) Edwin Ripken, Jr. was born in Havre de Grace, Maryland on 
        August 24th, 1960;
Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. was raised in Aberdeen, Maryland and taught baseball by 
        his father, Cal Ripken Sr., who spent his career with the Baltimore 
        Orioles where he developed the Ripken Way;
Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. entered the major leagues in 1981 as a Baltimore Oriole 
        and played his entire 21 year career for the Orioles, ranking third all-
        time in Major League Baseball for years played with 1 team and first 
        during the period of free agency;
Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. redefined the shortstop position, both offensively by 
        hitting the most home runs as a shortstop in major league history and 
        receiving the most Silver Slugger Awards by a shortstop, and defensively 
        by setting 11 different fielding records;
Whereas on May 30th, 1982, Cal Ripken, Jr. played in the first game of his Iron 
        Man Streak;
Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. was named the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year in 
        1982;
Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. led the Baltimore Orioles to a World Championship Season 
        in 1983, winning the AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, becoming the 
        first and only player to win the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in 
        back-to-back seasons;
Whereas in 1987, Cal Ripken, Jr. ended his consecutive innings played streak 
        with a record 8,243;
Whereas in 1987, Cal Ripken, Jr., playing with brother Billy Ripken at second 
        base and father Cal Ripken, Sr. as manager, became a part of the first 
        pair of brothers to play together for their father in the history of 
        Major League Baseball, making the name Ripken synonymous with the 
        Baltimore Orioles;
Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. was the first recipient of the Bart Giamatti Caring 
        Award in 1989;
Whereas in 1990, Cal Ripken, Jr. had the greatest defensive single season of any 
        shortstop, setting major league records in fielding percentage (.996), 
        fewest errors committed (3), and consecutive games without an error 
        (95);
Whereas in 1991, Cal Ripken, Jr. won his second AL MVP award, becoming 1 of only 
        22 major leaguers to win multiple MVP awards, won the first of 2 Golden 
        Glove awards, and became the first player in baseball history to win the 
        All-Star MVP and Home Run Contest in the same season as winning the MVP 
        award;
Whereas in 1992, Cal Ripken, Jr. was awarded the Roberto Clemente Award, 
        presented annually to the player who best exemplifies the game of 
        baseball both on and off the field;
Whereas on September 6th, 1995, Cal Ripken, Jr. played in his 2131st consecutive 
        game, breaking the record of the great and honorable Lou Gehrig;
Whereas in Cal Ripken Jr.'s 14 seasons of pursuit of Lou Gehrig's record, Cal 
        Ripken, Jr. conducted himself with complete dignity, humility, and honor 
        that attracted the attention of both baseball fans and all Americans and 
        played a crucial role in bringing baseball back as America's national 
        pastime after the labor problems of baseball in 1994;
Whereas in 1995, Cal Ripken, Jr. earned the following awards: the Associated 
        Press and United Press International Male Athlete of the Year; The 
        Sporting News Award Major League Player of the Year; and the Sports 
        Illustrated Sportsman of the Year;
Whereas on September 20th, 1998, Cal Ripken, Jr. voluntarily ended his 
        consecutive games streak at 2632;
Whereas in 1999, Cal Ripken, Jr. became 1 of 32 players to hit over 400 home 
        runs;
Whereas in 2000, Cal Ripken, Jr. became 1 of 24 players with 3,000 hits, joining 
        only 6 other players with over 400 home runs and 3,000 hits and becoming 
        only the second infielder and first shortstop or third baseman to be in 
        this club, along with fellow Baltimore Oriole first baseman and good 
        friend Eddie Murray;
Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. was named to Major League Baseball's All-Century Team in 
        2000;
Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. won his second All-Star Game MVP award in 2001, becoming 
        the first American League player to win 2 such MVP awards, and setting 
        baseball records for most All-Star appearances at 19, All-Star starts at 
        17, All-star starts at shortstop at 14, and consecutive starts at 16;
Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. is retiring from the game that he loves to continue his 
        other passions, the teaching of baseball to children and charitable work 
        through the ``Reading, Runs, and Ripken'' program, the Cal Ripken Little 
        League Division which has over 700,000 children, the Kelly and Cal 
        Ripken, Jr. Foundation, and the Cal Ripken, Jr./Lou Gehrig ALS Research 
        Fund;
Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. has pledged $9,000,000 for the construction of a 
        baseball facility in Harford County, Maryland; and
Whereas Cal Ripken, Jr. transcended the game of baseball and became a symbol of 
        excellence, reliability, consistency, and served as a role model for the 
        children of his hometown of Aberdeen, Maryland, the city of Baltimore, 
        Maryland, all Maryland residents, and all Americans: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved,

SECTION 1. HONORING CAL RIPKEN, JR.

    The Senate--
            (1) honors and congratulates Cal Ripken, Jr. for--
                    (A) his contributions to both baseball and America 
                as an exemplar of endurance, professionalism, and the 
                American work ethic;
                    (B) his entire career as a Baltimore Oriole, a 
                major league baseball player, and for his conduct both 
                on and off the field;
                    (C) his excellent treatment of all baseball fans in 
                all stadiums and his community service both in the 
                State of Maryland and throughout America; and
                    (D) all of his qualities and traits that helped him 
                serve as a role model for all Americans; and
            (2) wishes Cal Ripken, Jr. the best for what will 
        undoubtedbly be a productive and giving retirement.

SEC. 2. TRANSMISSION

    The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit an enrolled copy of this 
resolution to--
            (1) the legendary Baltimore Oriole Cal Ripken, Jr.; and
            (2) the Baltimore Orioles' owner, Peter Angelos.
                                 <all>

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