[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 155 (Wednesday, December 1, 2010)] [House] [Page H7830] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CONGRATULATING CINCINNATI REDS FIRST BASEMAN JOEY VOTTO (Mrs. SCHMIDT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, today I rise, along with all of Cincinnati, to congratulate and celebrate the Cincinnati Reds' first baseman Joey Votto being crowned the 2010 National League Most Valuable Player. Cincinnati has a rich and proud tradition of great baseball teams. It is the home of the first professional baseball club, which began in 1869. The Reds have won five World Series titles, four National League pennants, multiple Most Valuable Player trophies, and numerous Golden Glove awards. And a number of players have risen to the status to be celebrated in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The Cincinnati Reds are indeed proud to have the Most Valuable Player, Joey Votto, playing for them. A native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Mr. Votto was drafted by the Reds just out of high school, in the second round of the amateur draft in 2002. He worked his way through the Reds' minor league system and debuted in September of 2007. His defensive skills and offensive production consistently improved leading up to the 2010 season. Joey Votto helped lead the Cincinnati Reds to their first National League Central Division Title since 1995 with an impressive .324 batting average, including 37 home runs, and 113 runs batted in. Mr. Votto led the National League in on-base percentage, as well as slugging percentage, and receiving 31 of 32 first-place votes by the Baseball Writers Association of America to reward his hard work with one of the most coveted awards in baseball, the Most Valuable Player Trophy. He was named to the National League All Star Team, and won the 2010 National League Hank Aaron Award. Again I would like to join all of the Redlegs Nation in congratulating Mr. Votto on his achievement. I want to congratulate the owner of the Reds, Mr. Bob Castellini, and his ownership group for bringing a winning baseball team back to Cincinnati. Congratulations, Joey, and go Reds. ____________________