[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 386 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 386

 Honoring the life and accomplishments of Althea Gibson, a pioneer who 
  left an indelible mark on sports, breaking the color barrier in the 
   sport of tennis in the 1950s and helping pave the way for future 
                     generations of black athletes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 1, 2003

Ms. Millender-McDonald (for herself, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Ms. Norton, 
and Mr. Wynn) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                   the Committee on Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Honoring the life and accomplishments of Althea Gibson, a pioneer who 
  left an indelible mark on sports, breaking the color barrier in the 
   sport of tennis in the 1950s and helping pave the way for future 
                     generations of black athletes.

Whereas Althea Gibson was an African-American pioneer who left an indelible mark 
        on sports as she broke the color barrier in the sport of tennis in the 
        1950s and helped pave the way for future generations of black athletes;
Whereas, on Sunday, September 28, 2003, Gibson died at the age of 76;
Whereas although the general public had largely forgotten her name and exploits, 
        Gibson was a giant of sports history;
Whereas Gibson was the first African-American woman champion in any sport;
Whereas Gibson was a self-described ``born athlete'' who broke racial barriers 
        not only in tennis but in the Ladies Professional Golf Association;
Whereas Gibson was the first black woman to compete at and win the Wimbledon and 
        United States national tennis titles, and she was also the first black 
        player on the Ladies Professional Golfers Association Tour;
Whereas her presence helped pave the way for later stars such as Arthur Ashe, 
        Venus and Serena Williams, and Tiger Woods;
Whereas Gibson captured the Wimbledon and United States championships in 1957 
        and 1958, and also won the French Open, and 3 Wimbledon doubles titles 
        (1956-58);
Whereas, the eldest of five children, Gibson was raised in the Harlem section of 
        New York City; and
Whereas a multi-sport athlete, she even toured with the Harlem Globetrotters 
        basketball team after retiring from tennis in the late 1950s: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors the life and 
accomplishments of Althea Gibson, a pioneer who left an indelible mark 
on sports, breaking the color barrier in the sport of tennis in the 
1950s and helping pave the way for future generations of black 
athletes.
                                 <all>