[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 25, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H11050-H11051]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   JACKIE ROBINSON COMMEMORATIVE COIN

  (Mr. FLAKE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning, along with Mr. Bob 
Franks, to honor the late Jackie Robinson, one of our Nation's greatest 
historical treasures. We do this by introducing legislation to mint a 
commemorative coin honoring the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson 
breaking the color barrier in major league baseball.
  As we all observe the remarkable pennant and wild card races this 
week, we should take time out to remember that America's pastime was 
once not the diverse sport that most Americans enjoy today. Through 
segregation, African Americans were relegated to the Negro leagues. 
Although these leagues were considered second rate, the baseball played 
was of the highest quality. This athletic segregation was the standard 
for most organized sports, and was a sad reflection of American society 
in general.
  Jackie Robinson, however, became the trailblazer of professional 
athletic

[[Page H11051]]

integration. He was the first of many Negro league stars to play in the 
big leagues, and he suffered the strains of racism throughout major 
league ball parks. By successfully bearing this burden, he in fact 
became a symbol of victory for African Americans, and he carried the 
torch of equality that lit the flame of equality in America.
  Mr. Franks and I urge our colleagues to rekindle this flame by 
cosponsoring the Jackie Robinson Commemorative Coin Act. Join us and 
our colleagues in the other body in remembering Jackie Robinson's 
baseball legacy, and honoring him as a great American.

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