IV 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 702 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 25, 2012 Mr. Cleaver (for himself, Mr. Clay, Mr. Carnahan, Mrs. Hartzler, and Mr. Luetkemeyer) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Recognizing Major League Baseball as an important part of the cultural history of American society, celebrating the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and honoring Kansas City, Missouri, as the host city of the 83rd All-Star Game.

Whereas Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game, the Midsummer Classic, occurs once a year between players from the American and National Leagues, allowing baseball fans, players, and managers to select players to represent each league; Whereas the first All-Star Game, held as part of the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago, Illinois, at Comiskey Park was intended to be a one-time event, yet its widespread success led to the establishment of the game as an annual tradition; Whereas the Major League Baseball All-Star Game showcases the best baseball players in the Major Leagues and all across the world, giving baseball fans the opportunity to select the starting players; Whereas since 1933, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game has taken place every year but one, 1945, in the midst of World War II; Whereas the 83rd edition of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game for the 2012 season will be held on July 10, 2012, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, the home of the Kansas City Royals; Whereas the event will mark the third time the All-Star Game has been played in Kansas City, with Kauffman Stadium, then named Royals Stadium, last hosting the event in 1973, the stadium's inaugural year; Whereas the event was also held at Municipal Stadium in 1960, when it was the home of the Athletics; Whereas the illustrious baseball history of Kansas City, Missouri, includes the Royals’ 1985 World Series Championship, the contributions of Jackie Robinson, Buck O’Neil, and others to the Kansas City Monarchs, and Lou Gehrig’s final three innings of play in a 1939 exhibition against the Kansas City Blues; Whereas as part of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Summer celebration, Major League Baseball will host a number of events in the Greater Kansas City region leading up to the All-Star Game, benefitting the Kansas City community as a whole; Whereas Major League Baseball and the Kansas City Royals will hold numerous charity events throughout the region, including an All-Star Game Charity 5K & Fun Run, with all Major League Baseball proceeds being donated equally between three cancer charities, Stand Up To Cancer, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Greater Kansas City; Whereas as part of the All-Star Summer celebration, Major League Baseball will provide funding to help renovate two baseball fields owned by the Kansas City Missouri Parks and Recreation Department, Mulkey Square Park and Satchel Paige Stadium; Whereas the fields will be used regularly by local Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities leagues and by Guadalupe Center Youth Baseball; Whereas Kansas City, Missouri, has worked to preserve the history of the Negro Baseball Leagues by establishing the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and as part of the All-Star Game summer events, funding will be provided for a new traveling exhibit focusing on Negro League Players who, after Jackie Robinson broke the baseball color barrier, began participating in All-Star Games in 1949; Whereas Kansas City, Missouri, known for word class barbeque, rich jazz history, and a legacy of professional sports, including the Royals’ 1985 World Series Championship, will play host to the 83rd All Star Game, and will be showcased in the forefront of baseball history as the All-Star Game is broadcast worldwide; and Whereas the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Kansas City, Missouri, will be a unique and unforgettable experience for baseball fans across the State of Missouri and throughout the country: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)recognizes Kansas City, Missouri, as the host city for the 83rd Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and supports efforts in achieving an unforgettable Midsummer Classic baseball experience for all fans; and (2)recognizes Major League Baseball for sponsoring the All-Star Game and congratulates Major League Baseball for its efforts in energizing the Kansas City community by hosting a number of baseball related events that benefit numerous charities, focusing on fan appreciation and youth involvement, and emphasizing the continued appreciation of baseball as America’s favorite pastime.