[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E228-E229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO HONOR JACKIE ROBINSON MARKING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
                 DESEGREGATION OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES E. SCHUMER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 12, 1997

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a 
talented man, Mr. Jackie Robinson, and to the 50th anniversary of the 
desegregation of major league baseball. Not only did Jackie's efforts 
gain entrance for African-Americans into professional baseball, but 
they paved the way for African-American participation in all 
professional sports.
  Fifty years ago, as the United States fought racism in World War II, 
America's national

[[Page E229]]

pastime remained a white-only sport. On April 10, 1947, Jackie Robinson 
broke the color barrier in major league baseball, ending 71 years of 
exclusion for African-American athletes, when he was signed by Brooklyn 
Dodger president Branch Rickey.
  Jackie's path breaking career in professional baseball began on 
October 23, 1945, when he was signed to the Montreal Royals, the 
Dodger's Triple-A farm team, as the first African-American player in 
the minor leagues. In his first game, Jackie led the Royals to a 14-1 
victory over Jersey City Giants winning the respect and admiration of 
Montreal and Jersey City fans alike. As he remembered, ``the crowd just 
mobbed me. Kids were chasing me * * * to get my autograph and grown 
people were patting me on the back * * * I was convinced that American 
sports fans are truly democratic * * * that they would accept me--they 
didn't care what color a player was.''
  Jackie went on to play as first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 
April 1947 and was named National League Rookie of the Year. During his 
10 years on the Dodgers the team won the pennant six times and the 
World Series in 1955. When Jackie retired in 1957 he had played every 
position but pitcher and catcher, and boasted a .311 lifetime major-
league average, with 1,518 hits, 947 runs, 273 doubles, and 734 RBI's. 
He was named the National League's Most Valued Player in 1949 and to 
the Baseball Hall of Fame at the first election he was eligible on July 
6, 1962.
  In this, the golden anniversary of major league baseball's 
desegregation, I ask Members to join me in honoring Mr. Jackie Robinson 
and the American ideals of opportunity and equality which make our 
Nation great.

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