[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3229-S3230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF JACKIE ROBINSON BREAKING BASEBALL'S COLOR 
                                BARRIER

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise to pay special tribute to a 
legendary figure in our Nation's history; Jack Roosevelt Robinson. One 
half century ago today, Jackie Robinson stepped out of the dugout 
before an Ebbets Field crowd of 30,000 to play first base for the 
Brooklyn Dodgers. In doing so, he became the first African-American to 
play professional baseball in the modern major leagues.
  However, Jackie Robinson did not merely break baseball's color 
barrier, he shattered it in the most spectacular fashion imaginable. He 
was the first African-American to lead the league in stolen bases, to 
win the batting title, to play in the All-Star Game, to play in the 
World Series, to win the Most Valuable Player Award, and to be inducted 
into the Hall of Fame.
  As an ardent baseball fan, I marvel at his accomplishments on the 
field. As an American, I stand in gratitude for all he did for civil 
rights in this country. The impressive nature of his long litany of 
baseball firsts is far surpassed by the measure of his exceptional 
character. To be able to bear the brunt of national adversity and 
hostility and still perform with such dignity and grace requires a 
courage far greater than most could summon.
  To many, the details of April 15, 1947 are long forgotten. For the 
record, in the seventh inning Robinson scored the deciding run in a 5 
to 3 win over the Boston Braves. When Robinson crossed home plate, it 
was a victory for his

[[Page S3230]]

team, for professional sports, and, indeed, for the entire country. 
Jackie Robinson was one of those rare individuals who transcended both 
race and athletics to become an American hero. It is my hope and belief 
that his legacy today is as powerful as ever.

                          ____________________