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CONGRESS DESIGNATES NEGRO LEAGUE RECOGNITION DAY
January 6, 2006
SCON 68 IS
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. CON. RES. 68
Designating May 20, 2006, as `Negro Leagues Recognition
Day'.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 12, 2005
Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself and Mr. TALENT)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Designating May 20, 2006, as `Negro Leagues Recognition
Day'.
Whereas even though African Americans were excluded from
playing in the major leagues of their time with their white
counterparts, the desire of many African Americans to play
baseball could not be repressed;
Whereas Major League Baseball did not fully integrate its
league until July 1959;
Whereas African Americans began organizing their own
professional baseball teams in 1885;
Whereas the skills and abilities of Negro League players
eventually made Major League Baseball realize the need to
integrate the sport;
Whereas six separate baseball leagues, known collectively
as the `Negro Baseball Leagues', were organized by African
Americans between 1920 and 1960;
Whereas the Negro Baseball Leagues included exceptionally
talented players who played the game at its highest level;
Whereas on May 20, 1920, the Negro National League, the
first successful Negro League, played its first game;
Whereas Andrew `Rube' Foster, on February 13, 1920, at the
Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri, founded the Negro
National League and also managed and played for the Chicago
American Giants, and later was inducted into the Baseball
Hall of Fame;
Whereas Leroy `Satchel' Paige, who began his long career in
the Negro Leagues and did not make his Major League debut
until the age of 42, is considered one of the greatest
pitchers the game has ever seen, and during his long career
thrilled millions of baseball fans with his skill and
legendary showboating, and was later inducted into the
Baseball Hall of Fame;
Whereas Josh Gibson, who was the greatest slugger of the
Negro Leagues, tragically died months before the
integration of baseball, and was later inducted into the
Baseball Hall of Fame;
Whereas Jackie Robinson, whose career began with the Negro
League Kansas City Monarchs, became the first African
American to play in the Major Leagues in April 1947, was
named Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year in 1947,
subsequently led the Brooklyn Dodgers to 6 National League
pennants and a World Series championship, and was later
inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame;
Whereas Larry Doby, whose career began with the Negro
League Newark Eagles, became the first African American to
play in the American League in July 1947, was an All-Star 9
times in Negro League and Major League Baseball, and was
later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame;
Whereas John Jordan `Buck' O'Neil was a player and manager
of the Negro League Kansas City Monarchs, became the first
African American coach in the Major Leagues with the
Chicago Cubs in 1962, served on the Veterans Committee of
the National Baseball Hall of Fame, chairs the Negro
Leagues Baseball Museum Board of Directors, and has worked
tirelessly to promote the history of the Negro Leagues; and
Whereas by achieving success on the baseball field, African
American baseball players helped break down color barriers
and integrate African Americans into all aspects of society
in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That Congress--
(1) designates May 20, 2006, as `Negro Leaguers Recognition
Day'; and
(2) Recognizes the teams and players of the Negro Baseball
Leagues for their achievements, dedication, sacrifices, and
contributions to both baseball and our Nation.
END
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