[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H1460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JACKIE ROBINSON

  (Mr. LEWIS of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Jackie Robinson, Jackie Robinson, the man, the native Georgian. On this 
day 50 years ago this son of America, this citizen of the world, broke 
the color line in professional baseball.
  He was a good athlete. He succeeded on the field and he was superb 
off the field. He was able to catch and hit. He was able to steal 
bases. He was able to run. But his greatest contribution was not 
baseball, his greatest contribution was to the cause of social justice. 
Through his actions he inspired hundreds to walk in dignity, to march 
for pride, to stand up for America by sitting in places where African-
Americans had never been able or allowed to sit before.
  For his action on the field, he opened doors that had been closed for 
generations. This one man, this one man, Jackie Robinson, continues to 
inspire men and women, young and old, to strive to do their best.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, we salute, we pay tribute, to a great American: 
Jackie Robinson.

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