[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 98 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H5587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DESIGNATING THE NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL MUSEUM IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI,
AS AMERICA'S NATIONAL NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL MUSEUM
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
concur in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 60)
designating the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri,
as America's National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
The Clerk read as follows:
S. Con. Res. 60
Whereas the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City,
Missouri, was founded in 1990, in honor of those individuals
who played in the Negro Baseball Leagues as a result of
segregation in America;
Whereas the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is the only
public museum in the Nation that exists for the exclusive
purpose of interpreting the experiences of the players in the
Negro Leagues from 1920 through 1970;
Whereas the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum project began in
the 1980s, through a large scale, grass roots, civic and
fundraising effort by citizens and baseball fans in the
Kansas City metropolitan area;
Whereas the first Negro Leagues Baseball Museum was located
at 1615 East 18th Street in the historic ``18th and Vine
District'', which was designated by the city of Kansas City,
Missouri, in 1988 as historic in nature and the birthplace of
the Negro Leagues;
Whereas the current Negro Leagues Baseball Museum was
opened at 1616 East 18th Street in 1997, with a dramatic
expansion of core exhibition and gallery space and over
10,000 square feet of new interpretive and educational
exhibits;
Whereas the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum continues to
receive strong support from the residents of the Kansas City
metropolitan area and annually entertains over 60,000
visitors from all 50 States, and numerous foreign countries;
Whereas there remains a need to preserve the evidence of
honor, courage, sacrifice, and triumph in the face of
segregation of those African Americans who played in the
Negro Leagues;
Whereas the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum seeks to educate
a diverse audience through its comprehensive collection of
historical materials, important artifacts, and oral histories
of the participants in the Negro Leagues and the impact that
segregation played in the lives of these individuals and
their fans; and
Whereas a great opportunity exists to use the invaluable
resources of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to teach the
Nation's school children, through on-site visits, traveling
exhibits, classroom curriculum, distance learning, and other
educational initiatives: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That Congress--
(1) designates the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas
City, Missouri, including the museums future and expanded
exhibits, collections library, archives, artifacts and
education programs as ``America's National Negro Leagues
Baseball Museum'';
(2) supports the efforts of the Negro Leagues Baseball
Museum to recognize and preserve the history of the Negro
Leagues and the impact of segregation on our Nation;
(3) recognizes that the continued collection, preservation,
and interpretation of the historical objects and other
historical materials held by the Negro Leagues Baseball
Museum enhances our knowledge and understanding of the
experience of African Americans during legal segregation;
(4) commends the ongoing development and visibility of the
``Power Alley'' educational outreach program for teachers and
students throughout the Nation sponsored by the Negro Leagues
Baseball Museum;
(5) asks all Americans to join in celebrating the Negro
Leagues Baseball Museum and its mission of preserving and
interpreting the legacy of the Negro Leagues; and
(6) encourages present and future generations to understand
the sensitive issues surrounding the Negro Leagues, how they
helped shape our Nation and Major League Baseball, and how
the sacrifices made by Negro League players helped make
baseball America's national pastime.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Oregon (Mr. Walden) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.
General Leave
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oregon?
There was no objection.
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 60, introduced by Senator Talent, would
designate the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri,
as America's National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Because of racism and segregation laws that barred African Americans
from playing baseball on major league teams in the first half of the
20th century, black baseball players were forced to form their own
teams and the first Negro baseball league. Between 1920 and 1955, more
than 70 teams played in these leagues. However, by the early 1960s,
attendance dropped at Negro league games, and the last of the Negro
league teams went out of business. Then, in 1990, the Negro Leagues
Baseball Museum was established in Kansas City, Missouri, to preserve
and interpret the history of the Negro leagues.
Although the National Baseball Hall of Fame recognizes the
achievements of baseball's greatest players of all races, the Negro
Leagues Museum tells the story of the black athletes who built a
successful baseball league.
I urge adoption of the resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, the fact that the Negro Leagues ever
existed in this country is a painful reminder of the dark days of
legalized racism through segregation. However, the success of those
leagues, the innovations begun in those leagues and the stars who
played in those leagues are sources of great pride and inspiration.
National recognition for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas
City, Missouri, is a fitting tribute to those who were involved in the
Negro leagues and to the great work the museum is doing to preserve
this important chapter in the story of America.
Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, Representative Emanuel Cleaver is to be
commended as the sponsor of the House companion to this resolution.
Representative Cleaver's tireless efforts on behalf of this legislation
were crucial in bringing this measure before the House today.
We support passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 60.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I encourage that our Members
support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) that the House suspend the rules and
concur in the Senate concurrent resolution, S. Con. Res. 60.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate concurrent resolution
was concurred in.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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