[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 29 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 29

  Encouraging the recognition of the Negro Baseball Leagues and their 
                   players on May 20th of each year.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 26, 2007

 Mr. Nelson of Florida (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Specter, 
Mr. Obama, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Brownback, and Mr. Martinez) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                             the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Encouraging the recognition of the Negro Baseball Leagues and their 
                   players on May 20th of each year.

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 leagues 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 7 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 founded the Negro National League on February 13, 
        1920, at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri, and also managed and 
        played for the Chicago American Giants, and was later 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, helping the Cleveland Indians win the pennant 
        in his first big league victory beginning with his first game on July 
        15, 1948, 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, chaired the Negro 
        Leagues Baseball Museum Board of Directors, and worked tirelessly to 
        promote the history of the Negro Leagues;
Whereas James ``Cool Papa'' Bell played, coached, and managed in the Negro 
        Leagues from 1922 to 1950, discovered, trained, and assisted numerous 
        Negro League players into the Major Leagues, and was later inducted into 
        the Baseball Hall of Fame;
Whereas Minnie Minoso played in the Negro Leagues for several years before being 
        allowed to play in the Major Leagues and was denied admission to the 
        Hall of Fame, because during his prime years, he was a victim of racial 
        discrimination;
Whereas the talents of such players as Josh Gibson, James ``Cool Papa'' Bell, 
        and Oscar Charleston earned them recognition in the Baseball Hall of 
        Fame as well as the Sporting News List of Baseball Greatest Players, but 
        they were denied admission to the Major Leagues due to the color of 
        their skin;
Whereas Autozone Park in Memphis, Tennessee, hosted the inaugural Civil Rights 
        Game between the defending World Champion St. Louis Cardinals and the 
        Cleveland Indians in commemoration of the civil rights movement, on 
        March 31, 2007; 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) recognizes the teams and players of the Negro Baseball 
        Leagues for their achievements, dedication, sacrifices, and 
        contributions to both baseball and our Nation; and
            (2) encourages the observation of Negro Leaguers 
        Recognition Day on May 20 of each year.
                                 <all>