[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 100 (Thursday, June 13, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H3983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CELEBRATING THE NEGRO LEAGUES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Alabama (Ms. Sewell) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Major League Baseball's 
Tribute to the Negro Leagues, which will take place at the historic 
Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, beginning Tuesday, June 18, 
2024, and culminating with an MLB game, the Giants versus the Cardinals 
on Thursday, June 20.
  Built in 1910, Birmingham's historic Rickwood Field is the oldest 
professional baseball field in the United States. For 36 years, it 
served as the official home to the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro 
Leagues, and to this day, it continues to stand as a living monument of 
baseball history.
  For decades, the Black Barons were a beacon of excellence in 
Birmingham's community. Between 1943 and 1948, they racked up a win 
percentage of more than 60 percent and captured three Negro League 
pennants.
  At the height of Jim Crow segregation, the success of the Black 
Barons at Rickwood Field galvanized and united Birmingham's Black 
community. The stands were always overflowing with fans eager to cheer 
on their favorite team.
  Over the years, Rickwood Field has hosted a number of baseball 
giants, including Willie Mays from Fairfield, Alabama, Satchel Paige, 
Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Josh Gibson, and of course Birmingham's 
own Black Baron, Reverend William Greason, who at the age of 99 
continues to give back to his Birmingham community as pastor of Bethel 
Baptist Church Berney Points.
  With the help of Major League Baseball, Rickwood Field has undergone 
major renovations. Beginning on Tuesday, June 18, it will host a series 
of events to pay tribute to the Negro Leagues and to recognize the 
contributions of African Americans to baseball history. On June 18, 
Rickwood Field will host a Minor League contest between the Birmingham 
Barons and the Montgomery Biscuits.
  On Wednesday, June 19, to commemorate Juneteenth, I will honor the 
Negro Leagues by hosting a tribute to William Greason, our 99-year-old 
constituent, who played for the Birmingham Black Barons from 1948 to 
1951, at 1 p.m. at the Bethel Baptist Church Berney Points. Later that 
day, the Birmingham community will join together with MLB for a 
celebrity softball game in celebration of Juneteenth.
  The events will culminate with a special regular season game between 
the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, June 
20. It will be the first MLB game played at a Negro Leagues stadium in 
America's history.

  As we gather to celebrate Juneteenth, I can think of no more 
befitting time to honor the Negro Leagues. I look forward to welcoming 
Major League Baseball and my colleagues of the Congressional Black 
Caucus to Birmingham, Alabama, for a time of reflection and 
celebration.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Major League Baseball 
for their tribute to the Negro Leagues at Rickwood Field. Let's play 
ball.

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