Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to speak about this last resolution. Bob Feller was a Clevelander through and through. Senator Harkin is the prime sponsor of this resolution. I have joined him on it. Senator Harkin sponsored the resolution because Bob Feller was born in Van Meter, IA. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians at the age of 16, apparently for $1 and an autographed baseball. He struck out 15 batters in his first Major League start. He struck out 17 in a game at the age of 17. He is the only Major League player in history to strike out in one game the number of batters comparable to his age. His greatness was he was, perhaps, the hardest throwing pitcher ever in Major League Baseball. He pitched three no-hitters, then a record. It has been passed since. He pitched 12 one-hitters also, sharing that Major League record. He would have shattered, perhaps, all pitching records short of Cy Young's number of career wins, perhaps, and Walter Johnson's, if he had not served his country for almost 4 years in World War II. He gladly did it. He won eight battle stars. He served on the USS Alabama as a gunnery specialist. He was so proud of his service to his country. He turned down a huge contract with the Indians in 1942--huge in those days--to join the military to serve his country. He spoke about it frequently and was always very proud of that service.…”