[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29615]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



       HONORING JOHN JORDAN ``BUCK'' O'NEIL ON HIS 88TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 9, 1999

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a fellow 
Kansas Citian, and a man who has come to embody the ideals we share as 
a nation. As a player and coach for the Negro League's Kansas City 
Monarchs baseball team, as coach and scout for the present day Kansas 
City Royals, and as a community activist promoting reading and 
education to children, John Jordan ``Buck'' O'Neil has come to 
represent some of our most noble values: determination and dignity, 
humility and excellence. ``Buck'' has been a pioneer and trailblazer 
throughout his life and illustrious career, and demonstrates in his 
everyday actions and words that determination is the pathway to 
success. He is a role model for our children and a champion for our 
country.
  As a player, Buck had a career batting average of .288, including 
four .300-plus seasons at the plate, and led the Kansas City Monarchs 
to victory in the 1942 Negro World Series. After 12 years as a player, 
Buck changed hats and managed the Monarchs to four more league titles 
in six years. Following his career with the Kansas City Monarchs, Buck 
joined the major leagues as a scout for the Chicago Cubs. In 1962 the 
Chicago Cubs made him the first African-American to coach in the major 
Leagues. Buck is credited with signing hall of Fame Baseball greats 
Ernie Banks and Lou Brock to their first pro contracts, and is 
acknowledged to have sent more Negro League athletes to the all-white 
major leagues than any other man in baseball history.
  Buck is currently the Chairman for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum 
in Kansas City and spends his time promoting the achievements of 
African-American baseball players who played for love of the game, 
despite being shut out of the majors because of the color of their 
skin. As a member of the 18-person Baseball Hall of Fame Veterans 
Committee, he continues to tear down racial barriers by advancing 
deserving Negro Leaguers for induction to the Hall. In addition to his 
duties in Cooperstown and at the museum in Kansas City, Buck is finding 
new ways to enjoy life and share his wonderful exuberance. As a player, 
coach, scout, writer, and volunteer Buck represents a magnificent 
example to our generation and the next.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in saluting John Jordan ``Buck'' O'Neil, 
a distinguished ambassador for baseball and symbol of African-American 
pride, a true hero for all of America, and a favorite son of Kansas 
City. Congratulations, Buck on the 1999 John Stanford Education Heroes 
Award. It is an honor to help celebrate your 88th birthday and 
demonstrate the Negro League's commitment to education through 
``Reading Around the Bases.'' I salute you for your lifetime of 
achievement, and am both proud and honored to call you my friend. Thank 
you, Buck, for all you have done, and for all you continue to 
contribute to our lives.

                          ____________________