[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3178-S3179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   JACKIE ROBINSON AND PENSIONS FOR FORMER NEGRO LEAGUE/MAJOR LEAGUE 
                                PLAYERS

  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, particularly as we are talking 
about tax day, I think it is important, also, to talk about something 
that, as Americans, we can celebrate together on this day.
  Today marks the anniversary of an important day in American history. 
Today is the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's dismantling of the 
color barrier in major league baseball. It might even be said that his 
actions, in so doing, were the beginning of the dismantling of American 
apartheid and the system of Jim Crow segregation that kept us apart in 
this country. I know for a fact that I would not be here in the U.S. 
Senate today had it not been for the achievement of Jackie Robinson. I 
daresay that the victory of Tiger Woods in the Masters, which every 
American celebrated, I think, would not have happened had it not been 
for Jackie Robinson's achievement.
  It was 50 years ago that Jackie Robinson became a member of the 
Brooklyn Dodgers, making history by opening doors that had previously 
been closed to African American athletes. The year 1997 also marks the 
year that major league baseball owners agreed to give pensions to 
several baseball players who played in the then-segregated Negro 
Leagues. Many of those players followed in the path that was blazed by 
Jackie Robinson, but they were ineligible for major league pensions. 
The fact that the owners fixed that this year again is reason for us to 
celebrate.
  Mr. President, there are few Americans today who do not know of 
Jackie Robinson, the baseball great whose talent and pursuit of 
excellence enabled him to break the color barrier 50 years ago. Jackie 
Robinson began his baseball career in 1945 as a Negro League player 
after serving his country in World War II. The following year he joined 
the minor league operation of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and was named the 
Minor League Most Valuable Player. In 1947, he was brought up to play 
in the major leagues, and was named 1947's Rookie of the Year. Two 
years later, he was named the league's Most Valuable Player. In 1962, 
Jackie Robinson became the first African-American named to Baseball's 
Hall of Fame.
  Jackie Robinson's legacy, however, is not restricted to that of a 
sports legend, or even a civil rights pioneer. Today I want to talk 
about some of his many achievements off the baseball field. While 
playing professional baseball, Jackie Robinson served as an inspiration 
to many people of the heights they could achieve. Upon his retirement, 
he was determined to make a real difference in the quality of the lives 
of others. As founder of the Jackie Robinson Development Corp. and the 
Freedom National Bank, he was able to provide access to capital and 
affordable housing to low income families in the underserved community 
of Harlem.
  Even today, his good works continue through his widow, Rachel 
Robinson, who started the Jackie Robinson Foundation 1 year after his 
death. The Foundation provides full 4-year college scholarships for 
minority and disadvantaged young people. The recipients are chosen 
based on academic strength, community service, leadership potential and 
financial need. There have been over 400 Jackie Robinson scholars from 
across the country with a 92 percent graduation rate.
  In order to celebrate these achievements, Senator D'Amato and I led 
the effort to mint a commemorative coin in honor of Jackie Robinson. I 
am delighted that this legislation passed and that the Jackie Robinson 
Foundation will benefit from profits earned by the coin. Minting will 
begin later this year.
  Jackie Robinson's extraordinary successes were the result of 
phenomenal talent and determination. While much of the world knows of 
Jackie Robinson's success, we must not forget the African-American 
baseball players who played in the Majors and helped integrate the 
game, yet did not receive the recognition for their contribution to the 
game, nor, for that matter, receive a pension for their time in the 
Majors.
  Last year, I became aware of the plight of Sam Jethroe, a former 
major league ball player whose career in baseball began in the Negro 
League. Sam Jethroe, born in East St. Louis, IL, on January 20, 1922, 
began playing for the Cleveland Buckeyes, a Negro League team, at the 
age of 20. He played for the Buckeyes for seven seasons, and was one of 
the recognized stars of the Negro League.

  A switch-hitting outfielder who threw right-handed, Jethroe was 
christened ``Jet'' for running so fast; opposing teams actually worked 
at strategies to slow him down. Sam Jethroe was also a good hitter; he 
batted .300 during his time with the Buckeyes and he led the Negro 
League in hitting in 1942, 1944, and 1945.
  Although African-Americans had previously been banned from the major

[[Page S3179]]

leagues, Mr. Jethroe was given a try-out with the Boston Red Sox in 
1945. He wasn't signed onto a major league team, however, until 1949, 2 
years after Jackie Robinson's historic appearance in the league. At 
that time, Mr. Jethroe became the first African-American baseball 
player on the Boston--now Atlanta--Braves and debuted on their team in 
1950. He was their starting center fielder.
  In 1950, Sam Jethroe won the base-stealing crown, with 35, scored 100 
runs, and batted .273, with 18 homers and 58 RBI's. As a result he was 
named National League Rookie of the Year in 1950, the third African-
American to capture the honor in 4 years, following Jackie Robinson and 
pitcher Don Newcombe. In 1951, Sam Jethroe was even better. He repeated 
his stolen base title win and batted .280, with 101 runs scored, 29 
doubles, 10 triples, 18 homers, and 65 RBI's.
  After spending 1953 in the minors, Mr. Jethroe completed a successful 
career in baseball by playing two games with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
  At the time that Sam Jethroe played baseball, a player needed 4 years 
of service in the major leagues in order to qualify for a pension. As 
you may know, players active since 1980 need only 1 year in the majors 
to qualify. Because Sam Jethroe fell short of the 4-year requirement, 
he has never received a pension. I believe that Mr. Jethroe would have 
qualified for a pension; that is, he would have played more than 4 
years in major league baseball had it not been for the fact that he was 
banned from baseball because of the color of his skin.
  The misfortune of the ban was compounded by the change of vesting 
rules for pension eligibility. Sam Jethroe is now 74 years old, and 
does not enjoy a secure retirement.
  Pension security goes to the heart of our challenge to treat the end 
of life as the golden years rather than the disposable years. 
Retirement security has been likened to a three legged stool. Social 
security, private pensions, and personal savings constitute the basis 
of an income stream for the later years of life. While Sam Jethroe was 
eligible for social security benefits, he had limited savings, and did 
not receive a pension for his years in major league baseball.
  Sam Jethroe's compelling story prompted me to contact Jerry Reinsdorf 
of the Chicago White Sox to see if anything could be done to help Sam 
Jethroe and Negro League veterans suffering from similar circumstances.
  Mr. Reinsdorf took the initiative and raised the issue of pension 
protection with other owners for those people who were excluded from 
major league baseball prior to the breaking down of the barriers by 
Jackie Robinson.
  In 1997, the owners decided to provide pensions to the African-
Americans who played solely in the Negro leagues before 1948, as well 
as those who played both in the Negro leagues and in the major leagues. 
I would like to commend Jerry Reinsdorf for his help in this matter. 
Sam Jethroe and the other Negro League players would not have received 
this long-awaited relief had it not been for him.
  I also want to commend the owners for the tremendous good will and 
propriety of their decision. They recognized an injustice and fixed it. 
It is fitting that major league baseball recognize the contributions of 
these fine athletes in the year that we recognize and celebrate the 
50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's historic breakthrough in major 
league baseball.
  So, Mr. President, in summary, I would like to say that there is good 
news today, the 15th of April. Not only did Jackie Robinson 50 years 
ago help open up doors in America, but he helped to change hearts. 
Fifty years ago, after the owners of major league baseball debated 
whether or not to let people of color play America's game, they made a 
decision that America's game would take care of one of its own. It 
seems to me to be an essential American story, that in 50 years' time 
we have seen enough change in this country, given rise by the 
sacrifice, the commitment, and the excellence pursued by Jackie 
Robinson and those like him who opened up doors. Now, 50 years later, 
those doors have been opened, and the hearts of many Americans have, 
indeed, been changed.
  I think that is good news for today that we can all celebrate.
  (The remarks of Ms. Moseley-Braun pertaining to the introduction of 
S. 586 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced 
Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Kempthorne). The Senator from Missouri is 
recognized.
  Mr. ASHCROFT. I thank the Chair very much for this opportunity to 
speak in morning business.
  I commend the Senator from Illinois for her excellent remarks 
regarding Jackie Robinson, who is an American leader, an inspiration in 
terms of an individual whose conduct was inspiring not just to people 
of one race or another but to all America. This is the day upon which 
we are encouraged to and would appropriately celebrate his vast 
achievements and his substantial contributions. I thank the Senator 
from Illinois for her comments in that respect.
  (The remarks of Mr. Ashcroft pertaining to the introduction of S. 579 
are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')

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