[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1225-S1226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SENATE RESOLUTION 507--SUPPORTING MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

  Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Markey, Mr. 
Leahy, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Brown, Mr. Manchin, Mrs. 
Gillibrand, Mr. Grassley, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Ernst, Ms. Warren, Mr. 
Moran, Mr. Kaine, and Mr. Cotton) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation:

                              S. Res. 507

       Whereas, each season for 15 consecutive years, more than 
     40,000,000 fans have attended a Minor League Baseball game;
       Whereas Minor League Baseball provides wholesome, 
     affordable entertainment in 160 communities throughout the 
     United States;
       Whereas, in 2018, Minor League Baseball clubs--
       (1) donated more than $45,000,000 in cash and in-kind gifts 
     to the communities in which those clubs were located; and
       (2) completed more than 15,000 volunteer hours;
       Whereas the economic stimulus and development provided by 
     Minor League Baseball clubs extends beyond the cities and 
     towns where Minor League Baseball games are played to a wide 
     range of diverse geographic areas in which 80 percent of the 
     people of the United States are located;
       Whereas Minor League Baseball is committed to promoting 
     diversity and inclusion through--
       (1) the Copa de la Diversion initiative;
       (2) the MiLB Pride initiative;
       (3) the Fostering Inclusion through Education and 
     Leadership Development Program (commonly known as the ``FIELD 
     Program''); and
       (4) the Women in Baseball Leadership initiative;

[[Page S1226]]

       Whereas Minor League Baseball is the first touchpoint with 
     the ``national pastime'' for millions of youth, and the only 
     touchpoint for youth located in communities far from cities 
     in which Major League Baseball clubs are located;
       Whereas Congress has enacted numerous statutory exemptions 
     and immunities to preserve and sustain--
       (1) a system for Minor League Baseball; and
       (2) the relationship between Minor League Baseball and 
     Major League Baseball;
       Whereas the proposed abandonment of 42 Minor League 
     Baseball clubs by Major League Baseball would devastate 
     communities, bond purchasers, and other stakeholders that 
     rely on the economic stimulus that those Minor League 
     Baseball clubs provide;
       Whereas Minor League Baseball facilities not only house the 
     affiliated team, but also serve as venues for community 
     events and other sporting competitions;
       Whereas Minor League Baseball clubs enrich the lives of 
     millions of people in the United States each year through 
     economic, social, cultural, and charitable contributions; and
       Whereas the preservation of Minor League Baseball clubs in 
     160 communities across the United States is in the public 
     interest, as those clubs will continue to provide affordable, 
     family-friendly entertainment to those communities: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the preservation of Minor League Baseball 
     clubs in 160 communities across the United States;
       (2) recognizes the unique social, economic, and historical 
     contributions that Minor League Baseball has made to the 
     lives and culture of the people of the United States; and
       (3) encourages the continuation in 160 communities across 
     the United States of the 117-year foundation of Minor League 
     Baseball through the continued affiliation of the Minor 
     League Baseball clubs in those communities with Major League 
     Baseball.

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