Jim Ramstad: “I rise today to praise a very special person from the Third District of Minnesota, who exemplifies the unconquerable…”

“I rise today to praise a very special person from the Third District of Minnesota, who exemplifies the unconquerable spirit of America, a man who overcame tremendous obstacles to become one of the greatest baseball players in major league history. All Minnesotans and baseball fans across the Nation were stunned last Friday when Kirby Puckett announced his retirement from baseball because of irreversible damage to his right eye. But Kirby Puckett's place in the hearts of Minnesotans and baseball fans everywhere will live everywhere. What a remarkable career: 2,304 hits. In 1989, he became the first right-handed hitter to win a batting title in two decades, played in 10 consecutive All-Star games and won the Most Valuable Player Award in 1993. Kirby collected more hits in his first 10 seasons than any other major league player in this century. Kirby Puckett's hall of fame career closely parallels his hall of fame performance as a role model for young people, his hall of fame work ethic, and his hall of fame public service in our community. From visiting kids in the hospital to raising badly needed funds for Children's Heartlink and inner city youth programs, Kirby Puckett has done so much for our community and State. On behalf of all of the people of Minnesota, I want to thank Kirby Puckett for the joy he has brought to our lives. Kirby Puckett's greatness and impact on the lives of people, Mr. Speaker, cannot be measured by mere statistics.”