[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 185 (Friday, December 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1844-E1845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RUCKER PRO LEGENDS & HOLCOMBE 
                              RUCKER PARK

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 18, 2015

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th 
anniversary of Holcombe Rucker Park; and the legacy, and work of The 
Rucker Pro Legends of Basketball fame, a dynamic organization and an 
excellent community service provider. On Friday, August 14th

[[Page E1845]]

through Sunday, August 16th, 2015, at the nationally and 
internationally known Holcombe Rucker Park located in the Village of 
Harlem, New York City; The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, HARLEM 
WEEK, The National Association of Each One Teach One, The Harlem 
Professionals and The New York Knicks had gathered to celebrate The 
Rucker Pro Legends of Basketball's successes, years of influence, as 
well as their current and old talents.
  The three-day themed celebration was set to highlight all the great 
work of athletes and their years of influence. The Rucker Park 50 
kicked-off on Friday, August 14th with ``A Great Day For the Rucker'' 
Cocktail Party reception at The Harlem Hospital Center's Mural Pavilion 
featuring a historic group photo shoot that was taken on the Mural 
Pavilion Great Steps with the Rucker Pro Legends of Basketball and Each 
One Teach One Alumnus who played the game. On Saturday, August 15th, 
the theme featured ``50 Years of Influence''--The Rucker Legends 
Honored National Basketball Association (NBA) Legends at Holcombe 
Rucker Park, located at 155th Street & 8th Avenue to 156th Street & 
Harlem River Drive. The National Basketball Retired Players Association 
(NBRPA), NBA Cares and the Police Athletic League (PAL) conducted 
basketball clinics for over 100 children with the Rucker Pro Legends; 
which featured Each One Teach One Tournament Playoff Games throughout 
the day with celebrity guests and entertainers connected to Rucker Park 
over the years in attendance.
  On Harlem Day--Sunday, August 16th, the theme features ``50 Years of 
Teaching''--Each One Teach One & New York Knicks Clinic Day at Holcombe 
Rucker Park. The New York Knicks and the National Association of Each 
One Teach One conducted clinics throughout the day. One of the clinics 
included the Each One Teach One Basketball Tournament Championship 
Games sponsored in part by State Farm Insurance Company. During this 
event the ``50 Greatest Rucker Pro Legends of All-time'' were 
announced. Some of the legends that attended the 3-day celebrations 
were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius ``Dr. J'' Erving, Nate ``Tiny'' 
Archibald, Tom ``Satch'' Sanders, Nevil Shed, Nancy Lieberman, World B. 
Free, Richard ``Pee Wee'' Kirkland, Joe ``The Destroyer'' Hammond, Dave 
Cowans, Bob Love, Emmette Bryant, Connie Hawkins, Ed Pinckey, Mark 
Jackson, Chris Mullins and many other legends of basketball and 
surprise guests.
  The Rucker Professional Tournament is a Harlem Summer Professional 
Basketball Tournament that was founded by College and NBA Legends Bob 
McCullough, Sr. and Fred Crawford, Sr. in 1965 to honor the passing of 
their mentor Holcombe Rucker. Bob's and Fred's main objectives were to 
continue Holcombe Rucker's work, teachings and legacy and to inspire 
youth throughout the greater Harlem community and beyond, which 
showcased professional basketball players from leagues around country 
to highlight the sport of basketball talent in the same vein as its 
creator James Naismith. Those leagues included the former American 
Basketball Association (ABA), Continental Basketball Association (CBA) 
and the NBA. The games also featured future talented High School 
ballers and NCAA College Division players. A basketball landmark, 
Rucker Park became the site of numerous battles between such NBA stars 
as Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dr. ``J'' Julius Erving, and 
Walt Frazier, and such playground Legends as Herman ``Helicopter'' 
Knowings, Earl Manigualt, Joe ``The Destroyer'' Hammond, ``Pee Wee'' 
Kirkland and Pablo Robertson of The Harlem Globetrotters. Furthermore, 
this renowned basketball venue has been written in such books as City 
Game: Basketball from the Garden to the Playground in Harlem. Foul--The 
Connie Hawkins Story, and Asphalt Gods: An Oral History of The Rucker 
Tournament.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me 
in recognizing the 50th anniversary of Holcombe Rucker Park and The 
Rucker Pro Legends of Basketball fame. The Rucker Pro Legends have 
positively impacted basketball players and children of all ages. Their 
dedication to their art form; to showcase and celebrate the talents of 
their current, past and future peers and colleagues; and to the 
children is truly admirable. This three day celebration embodied all 
that The Rucker Pro Legends stand for; for this we should continue to 
honor the legacy of Holcombe Rucker and the Rucker Park Legends of 
Basketball.

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