The Hilton Americas-Houston is the hotel chosen for the 24th Little League International Congress.

More than 500 of those attending will be volunteer district administrators, who serve as liaisons between the local leagues and Little League International. District administrators are elected by their constituent leagues to provide support, and to represent their interests as delegates to the International Congress.

The four-day International Congress is held once every three years, with a primary purpose to amend rules and regulations. In the years leading up to each Congress, volunteers from dozens of nations submit their ideas for changes to a steering committee, and an agenda is prepared.

The delegates meet in round table discussions, making any necessary changes in the proposed amendments, then vote on the changes on the final day of the Congress. A two-thirds vote is required for passage. Those amendments receiving the necessary vote are then presented to the Little League International Board of Directors for final approval.

The Congress in Houston will be the first held there since 1967. Co-chairmen for the Congress will be Hugh Tanner (Little League Coach, Immediate Past President/Board Member of West University Little League in Houston, and Partner in the international law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski), and Texas District 16 Administrator Charlie Fox.

“We’re honored that Houston has been chosen as the site of the next Little League International Congress,” Mr. Tanner said. “We’re looking forward to showing off some legendary Texas hospitality to district administrators and volunteers from around the world.”

Mr. Fox, a retired geologist, has been the district administrator in Texas District 16 for nine years. He has been a Little League volunteer since 1972, serving as umpire, board member, and league president of Spring Branch American Little League.

“We have 16 leagues with real fine presidents, and they are as happy as they can be to be a part of Congress.” Mr. Fox said. “There is a lot to do, but the San Antonio Congress (in 1998) drew heavily and we feel we can do the same thing. I’m looking forward to working with co-chairman Hugh Tanner, and we will do anything and everything we can to make this a wonderful event.”

Delegates and their assistant district administrators also will attend training seminars and informational assemblies at the Congress. Little League provides transportation to and from the Congress for all U.S. delegates, as well as half of each delegate’s room rate and a per diem.

The Congress hotel will be the Hilton Americas-Houston, which also will house most of the Congress events. The hotel is located two blocks from Minute Maid Park (home of the Houston Astros) and across the street from the Toyota Center (home of the Houston Rockets).

Another Congress function is the nomination for election of field representatives on the International Board of Directors. Delegates from the five U.S. regions and each of the four international regions will vote on a representative nominee. Once elected, the nine field representatives will serve on the board for three years until the next Congress in 2010.

“The democratic process of Little League’s International Congress has been in place since 1956, and provides an excellent opportunity for us to meet with and listen to those volunteers that are so critical to Little League,” Stephen D. Keener, president and chief executive officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “This is one of the ways hundreds of thousands of dedicated volunteers around the world can have input in the operation of the Little League program.”

Sites for the Little League International Congress
1956 – Chicago, Ill.
1957 – Chicago, Ill.
1958 – Chicago, Ill.
1959 – Four Regional Meetings
1960 – Chicago, Ill.
1961 – Los Angeles, Calif.
1963 – New York, N.Y.
1965 – Washington, D.C.
1967 – Houston, Texas
1969 – Detroit, Mich.
1971 – Portland, Ore.
1973 – Tampa, Fla.
1975 – Chicago, Ill.
1978 – San Diego, Calif.
1981 – Charlotte, N.C.
1984 – Tampa, Fla.
1987 – Anaheim, Calif.
1989 – Williamsport, Pa.
1992 – Boston, Mass.
1995 – Reno, Nev.
1998 – San Antonio, Texas
2001 – Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
2004 – Virginia Beach, Va.