[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 128 (Thursday, October 3, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9912-S9913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 149--RECOGNIZING THE TEAMS AND PLAYERS OF 
    THE NEGRO BASEBALL LEAGUES FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS, DEDICATION, 
        SACRIFICES, AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO BASEBALL AND THE NATION

  Mr. NELSON of Florida submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions:

                            S. Con. Res. 149

       Whereas even though African-Americans were excluded from 
     playing in the major leagues of baseball with their Caucasian 
     counterparts, the desire of some African-Americans to play 
     baseball could not be repressed;
       Whereas Major League Baseball was not fully integrated 
     until July 1959;
       Whereas African-Americans began organizing their own 
     professional baseball teams in 1885;
       Whereas 6 separate baseball leagues, known collectively as 
     the Negro Baseball Leagues, were organized by African-
     Americans between 1920 and 1960;
       Whereas the Negro Baseball Leagues included exceptionally 
     talented players;
       Whereas Jackie Robinson, whose career began in the Negro 
     Baseball Leagues, was named Rookie of the Year in 1947 and 
     subsequently led the Brooklyn Dodgers to 6 National League 
     pennants and a World Series championship;
       Whereas by achieving success on the baseball field, 
     African-American baseball players helped break down color 
     barriers and integrate African-Americans into all aspects of 
     society in the United States;
       Whereas during World War II, more than 50 Negro Baseball 
     League players served in the Armed Forces of the United 
     States;
       Whereas during an era of sexism and gender barriers, 3 
     women played in the Negro Baseball Leagues;
       Whereas the Negro Baseball Leagues helped teach the people 
     of the United States that what matters most is not the color 
     of a person's skin, but the content of that person's 
     character and the measure of that person's skills and 
     abilities;
       Whereas only in recent years has the history of the Negro 
     Baseball Leagues begun receiving the recognition that it 
     deserves;
       Whereas in 1997 Major League Baseball created a pension 
     plan for former players of the Negro Baseball Leagues who 
     went on to play in Major League Baseball; and
       Whereas baseball is the national pastime and reflects the 
     history of the Nation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes the teams and players of the Negro Baseball 
     Leagues for their achievements, dedication, sacrifices, and 
     contributions to both baseball and our Nation; and
       (2) encourages Major League Baseball in 2002 to reach a 
     fair compensation agreement with former players of the Negro 
     Baseball Leagues who were excluded under Major League 
     Baseball's 1997 pension plan.

  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a 
resolution recognizing the teams and players of the Negro Baseball 
Leagues for their contributions to baseball and the Nation.
  This important resolution also calls on Major League Baseball to 
compensate the Negro League players who were left out of the League's 
1997 pension plan.
  For half a century, most of the Negro League players were excluded 
from the Majors.
  Even though Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, it took 
another decade for Major League Baseball to really become integrated, 
when in July of 1959, the last Major League team fielded an African 
American player.
  During the intervening years, Baseball systemically discriminated 
against most Negro Leaguers.
  Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig sought to correct some of the 
failings of the past when he awarded an annual $10,000 pension benefit 
to some of the Negro Leaguers, but he left out those

[[Page S9913]]

who played solely in the Negro Leagues from 1948 to 1960.
  Major League Baseball contends they were left out because the sport 
was integrated during that time. But history shows it took the big 
leagues many years to fully integrate following Jackie Robinson's 
historic entry into the Majors.
  The players, who were excluded, still seeking a small retirement, 
have been reaching out to Commissioner Selig for five long years now, 
without resolution.
  Meantime, these ex-players are getting old. Many have passed away. 
Time is running out to provide them with a small measure of 
compensation for their time in the Negro Leagues.
  I joined them last year in trying to find some resolution to this 
dispute. I hope this concurrent resolution will act as a catalyst to 
spur action by Major League Baseball to correct this injustice.

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