[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 202 (Thursday, December 7, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H6728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AWARDING MARSHALL ``MAJOR'' TAYLOR WITH A CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL

  (Mr. JACKSON of Illinois asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to introduce the 
bipartisan Marshall ``Major'' Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act, the 
highest honor this body can bestow upon an American.
  Major Taylor was the greatest athlete of his era, America's first 
sports superstar, and a world champion, but he has been left out of our 
history books. We need to bring him out of the shadows and recognize 
his greatness both on and off the track.
  Not only did Taylor set world records and dominate his sport, but he 
did so while facing down racists and bigots in the Jim Crow era.
  Race organizers would try to exclude him from events. Other cyclists 
would viciously insult him and even did physical harm.
  Despite it all, the son of a Union soldier rose above it, setting 
record after record and becoming a world champion.
  Even when compared to today's athletes, Major Taylor is among the 
greatest cyclists of all time. It is time that Congress recognizes his 
greatness and award him a Congressional Gold Medal.

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