[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 24 (Wednesday, March 1, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E247-E248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      BUCK O'NEILL SHOULD BE ADMITTED TO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2006

  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I was sorely disappointed recently 
to learn that the Baseball Hall of Fame failed to vote to induct John 
Jordan ``Buck'' O'Neill into its ranks.
  Born the grandson of slaves, Buck joined the Kansas City Monarchs of 
the Negro League in 1938. He remained in Kansas City with the Monarchs 
for 17 spectacular years, 10 as a player and 7 as manager. During this 
time he was named an all-star three times as a player, served 2 years 
with the United States Navy, and led the Monarchs to four league titles 
as a manager, all the while facing the harshness of separation and 
discrimination in a country that was still segregated. In 1962, Buck 
broke an important barrier, by being named the first African-American 
coach in the Major Leagues by the Chicago Cubs. After 33 years with the 
Cubs, Buck returned home in 1988 to scout for the Kansas City Royals. 
He currently serves as chairman of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in 
Kansas City, a continuing demonstration of his love for the game of 
baseball and for his commitment to the essential role that the Negro 
Leagues played in the integration of both American sport and American 
society.
  During his time in Kansas City, Buck has taught the citizens of the 
Kansas City metropolitan region about the importance of determination 
and resolve in the face of hostility, in

[[Page E248]]

addition to showing us the importance of family, friendship, happiness 
and history. Buck taught us about baseball. But more importantly, Buck 
taught us about life. He is a wonderful role model, and I thank him for 
his contributions to the Kansas City metropolitan region and to our 
United States of America. As Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Kay Barnes 
was quoted as saying in this morning's Kansas City Star, ``I'm terribly 
disappointed. I think it was a mistake that he has not been chosen. 
However, we all love him in Kansas City, and I believe that all around 
the country people recognize the contribution he has made to baseball 
in general and to the Negro Baseball League history.''
  Buck O'Neill, you will always be a charter member of the Kansas City 
Hall of Fame.

                          ____________________