[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 26, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL MUSEUM'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, I ask the Senate to join me in 
honoring the 20th anniversary of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in 
Kansas City, MO.
  This Friday's Legacy Awards, honoring Major League Baseball's 
brightest stars, kicks off what promises to be a season's worth of 
events marking the 90th year of the establishment of the Negro Leagues, 
and the 20th anniversary of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. As a 
Missourian, I am proud that Kansas City is home to what is not only a 
local jewel but a National treasure which honors the Negro Leagues, its 
legendary players, and its place in the American civil rights movement.
  In 1920, Andrew ``Rube'' Foster established the Negro Leagues at the 
Paseo YMCA in Kansas City. The Leagues flourished from 1920 through 
well into the 1950s. Once forward-thinking baseball executives signed 
such standout African-American players as Jackie Robinson and Roy 
Campanella, interest in the Negro Leagues began to wane. By 1960, as 
the civil rights movement gained momentum and the best players found 
their rightful place in the Major Leagues, the Negro Leagues finally 
folded.
  In its heyday, the Negro Leagues was a firmly entrenched and beloved 
part of African-American culture in Kansas City and throughout the 
upper Midwest, Northeast, and Southern regions of the United States. 
The museum's Bob Kendrick tells us that many ministers would start 
church services early on Sundays when the Kansas City Monarchs had a 
home game on the calendar. Men, women, and children would leave right 
after church just in time to get to the ballpark, dressed in their 
Sunday finest, to watch the game. It was the highest level of 
competition, and players like ``Cool Papa'' Bell, ``Satchel'' Paige, 
and Josh Gibson always made the game exciting.
  Kansas City's beloved Buck O'Neil, a former Negro Leagues player, 
Monarchs' manager and Major League Baseball's first African-American 
coach, helped establish the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in 1990. Back 
then it was a tiny one-room office in the historic 18th & Vine District 
in Kansas City. Its mission--the same as it is today--was to preserve 
and celebrate the history of African-American baseball.
  As chairman of the board, Buck O'Neil and his crew took the job 
seriously, working hard to raise money, acquire what curator Dr. 
Raymond Doswell has turned into an amazing collection of original 
memorabilia, and bring worldwide attention to the museum. By 1997, the 
museum was robust enough to move into its current 10,000 square foot 
home at 18th & Vine, where today the story of the Negro Leagues comes 
to life through its exhibits.
  Over time, the museum has had the privilege of welcoming visitors 
from around the world, and such dignitaries as U.S. Presidents Bill 
Clinton and George W. Bush. The museum's National Advisory Board is 
flush with prominent individuals from the worlds of sports, politics, 
and the media, all of whom have come to recognize the important role 
the Museum plays in telling the story of civil rights, sports, and 
culture in 20th century America. George Will, Ernie Banks, Colin 
Powell, Lou Brock, former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson, and noted 
documentary producer Ken Burns are all members of this amazing group of 
supporters.
  In many ways this museum is Buck O'Neil's legacy. Buck, 94 years 
young at the time of his death in 2006, left a permanent inspirational 
mark on the game of baseball and all who were fortunate enough to have 
crossed his trailblazing path. Kansas City--and America--are fortunate 
to call him our own.
  On this the 20th anniversary of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, I 
ask that we pause for a moment to pay tribute not only to Buck O'Neil, 
but to the many unsung African-American baseball heroes who helped the 
Negro Leagues flourish until the better instincts of baseball 
executives ultimately made the need for such a league obsolete. This 
remarkable chapter of American history will be preserved forever thanks 
to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
  Mr. President, I ask that the Senate join me in recognizing the 20th 
anniversary of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, a truly American 
treasure.

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