109 HCON 451 IH: Honoring John Jordan U.S. House of Representatives 2006-07-19 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 109th CONGRESS 2d Session H. CON. RES. 451 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 19, 2006 Mr. Neal of Massachusetts (for himself, Mr. Boehlert, and Mr. Cleaver) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Honoring John Jordan Buck O’Neil and urging his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Whereas John Jordan O’Neil, also known as Buck O’Neil, was born in Carabelle, Florida, on November 13, 1911; Whereas due to racial segregation, Buck O’Neil was denied the opportunity to attend high school or play in the Major Leagues; Whereas Buck O’Neil began his baseball career as a first baseman with the Memphis Red Sox in 1937 and joined the Kansas City Monarchs the following year; Whereas Buck O’Neil had a lifetime batting average of .288; Whereas Buck O’Neil achieved a greater than .300 batting average four times with the Kansas City Monarchs, including a league leading .353 batting average in 1946 and a career-high batting average of .358 in 1947; Whereas Buck O’Neil was the manager of the legendary Kansas City Monarchs from 1948 to 1955, leading them to five pennants and two Negro League World Series titles; Whereas Buck O’Neil was also a manager in the East-West All-Star Classic from 1951–1954; Whereas Buck O’Neil broke a color barrier in baseball when he became the first African American coach in the Major Leagues for the Chicago Cubs in 1962; Whereas after 32 years with the Chicago Cubs, Buck O’Neil joined the Kansas City Royals organization in 1988 and was named “Midwest Scout of the Year” in 1998; Whereas from 1981–2000, Buck O’Neil was a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Veterans Committee; Whereas today, Buck O’Neil serves as honorary board chairman of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) in Kansas City, Missouri, where he is also a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame; Whereas at age 94, Buck O’Neil is arguably the greatest living ambassador and historian for our national pastime; and Whereas Buck O’Neil continues to build a legacy of service, compassion, and respect for all people: Now, therefore, be it

That Congress, on behalf of the American people— (1)honors the life and accomplishments of John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil; and (2)strongly urges the National Baseball Hall of Fame to induct him as a new member.