[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 61 (Tuesday, April 17, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S4621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTS OF JACKIE ROBINSON

  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 152, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 152) honoring the lifetime 
     achievements of Jackie Robinson.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to honor 
the legacy and achievements of Jackie Robinson.
  On Sunday, over 200 Major League players, manager, and coaches took 
to baseball fields across the Nation wearing Jackie Robinson's No. 42, 
which was retired throughout Major League Baseball in 1997. Sixty years 
ago, on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African-
American to play in a Major League Baseball game.
  The first athlete to letter in four sports in 1 year at the 
University of California at Los Angeles, Jackie Robinson seemed 
destined to make a name for himself. He began his baseball career in 
the Negro Leagues, playing shortstop for the Kansas City Monarchs. In 
1946, Jackie Robinson played for the Montreal Royals, leading the 
International League in batting average with a .349 average, and 
fielding percentage with a .985 percent. He began his major league 
career at the age of 28 playing first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers--
the only position that was open.
  That year, he was named Rookie of the Year. In 1948, he was moved to 
second base and went on to lead the Dodgers to six National League 
pennants in 10 years and a World Series championship. His inspiring 
career earned him recognition as the first African-American to win a 
batting title, lead the league in stolen bases, play in an All-Star 
game, play in the World Series, win a Most Valuable Player award, and 
be elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1962.
  Off the baseball diamond, Jackie Robinson lived a life of achievement 
through his work in the civil rights movement. In the business world, 
he actively promoted Black enterprises in New York's Harlem 
neighborhood.
  In March 1984, President Ronald Reagan posthumously awarded Jackie 
Robinson the Presidential Medal of Freedom. On October 29, 2003, 
Congress posthumously awarded Jackie Robinson the Congressional Gold 
Medal, the highest award Congress can bestow. His mission to expand 
opportunity for others continues today through the Jackie Robinson 
Foundation that has provided over $14.5 million in scholarships to 
students who might not otherwise be able to afford college tuition.
  Jackie Robinson was a good friend of mine, and it is with great 
reverence that I introduce, today, a resolution with Senators Mark 
Pryor and Mitch McConnell to honor and celebrate his achievements, 
recognize his sacrifices, and remember his contributions to the Nation. 
His courage and dignity taught the Nation about the strength of the 
human spirit when confronted with seemingly immovable obstacles. We can 
best honor him by reflecting on the epigraph Robinson wrote for his own 
tombstone, ``The value of a life is measured by its impact on other 
lives.''
  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 152) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 152

       Whereas Jackie Robinson was the first athlete in the 
     history of the University of California at Los Angeles to 
     letter in 4 sports in 1 year;
       Whereas on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first 
     African-American to play for a major league baseball team;
       Whereas Jackie Robinson, who began his career in the Negro 
     Leagues, was named Rookie of the Year in 1947 and led the 
     Brooklyn Dodgers to 6 National League pennants in 10 years 
     and a World Series championship;
       Whereas Jackie Robinson's inspiring career earned him 
     recognition as the first African-American to win a batting 
     title, to lead the league in stolen bases, to play in an All-
     Star game, to play in the World Series, and to win a Most 
     Valuable Player award;
       Whereas Jackie Robinson was elected to the Baseball Hall of 
     Fame in 1962, the first African-American to receive such an 
     honor;
       Whereas in March of 1984, President Ronald Reagan 
     posthumously awarded Jackie Robinson the Presidential Medal 
     of Freedom;
       Whereas on October 29, 2003, Congress posthumously awarded 
     Jackie Robinson the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest 
     award Congress can bestow;
       Whereas Major League Baseball renamed the Rookie of the 
     Year Award the Jackie Robinson Award in his honor;
       Whereas his legacy continues through the Jackie Robinson 
     Foundation that has provided over $14,500,000 in scholarships 
     to students in need;
       Whereas Jackie Robinson's courage and dignity taught the 
     Nation about the strength of the human spirit when confronted 
     with seemingly immovable obstacles;
       Whereas Jackie Robinson, in his career, demonstrated that 
     how you play the game is more important than the final score;
       Whereas Jackie Robinson's legacy helps make the American 
     dream more accessible to all;
       Whereas April 15, 2007, marks the 60th anniversary of 
     Jackie Robinson's first game in Major League Baseball; and
       Whereas on April 15, 2007, over 200 players, managers, and 
     coaches wore Jackie Robinson's number, 42, which was retired 
     throughout Major League Baseball in 1997, to honor his 
     achievements: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the achievements and contributions of Jackie 
     Robinson be honored and celebrated; that his dedication and 
     sacrifice be recognized; and that his contributions to the 
     Nation be remembered.

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