[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 17, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRATULATIONS TO ERNIE BANKS

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 17, 2013

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize baseball legend Ernie Banks for being selected to receive the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom. Among other recipients of the nation's 
highest civilian honor will be former President Bill Clinton; the late 
Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut; country singer Loretta 
Lynn; North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith and Oprah Winfrey.
  Ernie Banks made his debut to the Major League on September 13, 1953, 
60 years ago. I am proud to say Ernie Banks is a native of my 
Congressional District in Dallas, Texas. Ernie Banks, who went on to 
have a Hall of Fame career with the Cubs, grew up at 1723 Fairmount 
Street, Dallas, Texas. His parents, Eddie and Essie Banks raised Ernie 
and 11 other children there.
  He attended Booker T. Washington High School, also in Dallas, which 
didn't have a baseball team at the time. Despite that, he excelled 
playing on the school's softball team. He was a wide receiver on the 
football team and also ran track. He played basketball down the street 
at the Moorland YMCA. He worshipped at St. Paul United Methodist 
church. As Banks states, ``Our North Dallas--was a great place to grow 
up.'' After two years in the Army and a brief return to the Monarchs,
  Ernie Banks, at 22, was selected to play for a Major League team, the 
Cubs, becoming only the ninth black player to take the major league 
field. To date, Banks holds Cubs records for games played (2,528), at-
bats (9,421), extra-base hits (1,009), and total bases (4,706). As one 
of the Nation's pioneers in baseball, Ernie Banks has inspired and 
enlightened so many throughout his life.
  Our country has benefitted immensely from his career, and I hope he 
will continue to inspire others. I wish to commend Ernie Banks and 
thank him for his service to this great nation. As a pioneer in 
baseball, he has created positive pathways many future generations.

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