Thomas Mott Osborne: “I rise to support H. Res. 496, sponsored by the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson). I really appreciate her…”

“I rise to support H. Res. 496, sponsored by the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson). I really appreciate her leadership on this particular issue. As other speakers have mentioned, there are a number of former major league baseball players who have indicated that steroid abuse is widespread. Some have said 50 percent, some 60 percent. I do not know what the exact figure is, but the perception is certainly there. I guess recent records would lend some credibility to these allegations, because in the first 125 years of major league baseball, we had two players who hit 60 home runs or more. In the last 4 years, we have had three players who have hit over 70 home runs. Home run production has skyrocketed. Strength, size, speed has always increased. So, again, we do not know the exact figures, we do not know the exact facts, but, obviously, there is something going on here that is a matter of concern. I think the perception of steroid abuse is damaging.”