[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 235 Received in Senate (RDS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 235


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 17, 2003

                                Received

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Celebrating the life and achievements of Lawrence Eugene ``Larry'' 
                                 Doby.

Whereas on December 12, 1923, Larry Doby was born in Camden, South Carolina and 
        moved to Paterson, New Jersey in 1938, where he became a standout 4 
        sport athlete at Paterson Eastside High School;
Whereas Larry Doby attended Long Island University on a basketball scholarship 
        before enlisting in the United States Navy;
Whereas in 1943, Larry Doby was the first African American to play professional 
        basketball for the Paterson Panthers, a member of the American 
        Basketball League;
Whereas after playing baseball in the Negro League for the Newark Eagles, Larry 
        Doby's contract was purchased by Bill Veeck of Major League Baseball's 
        Cleveland Indians, a member of the American League, on July 3, 1947;
Whereas on July 5, 1947, Larry Doby became the first African American to play 
        professional baseball in the American League;
Whereas Larry Doby played in the American League for 13 years, appearing in 
        1,533 games and batting .283, with 253 home runs and 969 runs batted in;
Whereas in 1948, Larry Doby was the first African American to win a World Series 
        and the first African American to hit a home run in the World Series;
Whereas Larry Doby was voted to play in 7 All Star games and led the American 
        League in home runs for two seasons;
Whereas in 1978, Larry Doby became the manager of the Chicago White Sox, only 
        the second African American manager of a Major League team;
Whereas Larry Doby was the Director of Community Relations for the National 
        Basketball Association's New Jersey Nets, where he was deeply involved 
        in a number of inner-city youth programs;
Whereas Larry Doby resided, was active in the community, and raised his family 
        in Montclair, New Jersey;
Whereas Larry Doby received honorary doctorate degrees from Princeton 
        University, Long Island University and Fairfield University; and
Whereas Larry Doby was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the House of Representative--
            (1) expresses profound sorrow on the death of Lawrence 
        Eugene ``Larry'' Doby, and extends condolences to his family;
            (2) expresses its deep appreciation to Larry Doby and his 
        family for the impact that he made in pioneering civil rights 
        by breaking down racial barriers in baseball and in America; 
        and
            (3) commends Larry Doby as a courageous leader, a role 
        model, and a paradigm of the American Dream.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 16, 2003.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.