IV

105TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. RES. 534

Congratulating Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs for tying the current major

league record for home runs in one season.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 14, 1998

Mr. GUTIERREZ submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the

Committee on Government Reform and Oversight

RESOLUTION

Congratulating Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs for tying

the current major league record for home runs in one season.

Whereas Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs hit two home runs

on Sunday, September 13 against the Milwaukee Brewers

at Wrigley Field in Chicago;

Whereas these home runs were his 61st and 62nd of the

1998 season, tying Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals for the current major league record for home runs

in one season and moving him past Roger Maris’ previous single season home run record, which had stood unsurpassed—and barely threatened—for 37 years;

Whereas Sammy Sosa’s achievement is one of the most impressive and difficult to accomplish in the history of baseball, placing him in the very exclusive company of the national pastime’s greatest home run hitters, including leg-
2

HRES 534 IH

ends such as Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Roger Maris,

Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays;

Whereas Sammy Sosa’s drive toward the historic home run

record is part of one of the best overall performances in

baseball history, which will likely include more than 150

RBI’s a batting average of over .300, nearly 20 stolen

bases, exceptional defensive play in right field and providing leadership to the Chicago Cubs in a close race for the

playoffs;

Whereas throughout the intense media scrutiny and public

attention that has accompanied his historic home run

chase, Sammy Sosa has consistently conducted himself

with dignity, modesty and selflessness that has been an

inspiration to all Americans;

Whereas as a native of the Dominican Republic, Sammy Sosa

has proven to be an outstanding role model and source

of pride for all residents of his native country, as well as

all Latin Americans and all immigrants to the U.S. from

across the globe;

Whereas throughout his record-breaking accomplishments

and thrilling head-to-head race with Mark McGwire to

surpass the home run milestone Sammy Sosa has embodied the talent, exuberance, team-spirit and determination that Americans associate with the very best qualities

of sports and athletic competition;

Whereas while Sammy Sosa is almost certainly not done hitting home runs in 1998, and has two more weeks to

amaze all of America with tape-measure shots that delight Chicago’s bleacher bums and send Cub fans scattering on Waveland Avenue in pursuit of a piece of history,

and Sammy Sosa will continue to enhance a proud legacy
3

HRES 534 IH

of Chicago Cub sluggers in the tradition of Hack Wilson,

Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Andre Dawson; and

Whereas on September 13, 1998, Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs hit his 62nd home run of the 1998 Major

League Baseball season and tied the current single-season home run record: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives con2 gratulates and commends Sammy Sosa of the Chicago

3 Cubs for his amazing accomplishments and thanks him

4 for a summer of unsurpassed baseball excitement.

Æ