Richard Gephardt: “I rise to salute Mark McGwire and his extraordinary feat in setting a new, single-season home run record. Throughout…”

“I rise to salute Mark McGwire and his extraordinary feat in setting a new, single-season home run record. Throughout this season, Americans have been treated to one of the most incredible sporting achievements of our lifetime. The single-season home run mark of 61 stood as perhaps the most awesome feat in baseball history. I feel privileged to have been able to witness Mark McGwire in action this year--every baseball fan in America knows that they have seen something special in 1998. Roger Maris set that record 37 years ago, topping perhaps the most impressive achievement of Babe Ruth, the best all-around player ever to take the field in professional baseball. Watching McGwire's pursuit of 62 home runs, placing him among icons like Ruth and Maris, has been a pure joy to witness. Mark McGwire is not only an outstanding athlete, he is also a man whose conduct epitomizes good sportsmanship. He has remained focused on his goal in the face of a media frenzy and a sea of exploding flash bulbs. And he did it with amazing grace and real class.”