[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Page 27925]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 68--DESIGNATING MAY 20, 2006, AS ``NEGRO 
                      LEAGUERS RECOGNITION DAY.''

  Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself and Mr. Talent) submitted the 
following conconcurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 68

       Whereas even though African Americans were excluded from 
     playing in the major leagues of their time with their white 
     counterparts, the desire of many African Americans to play 
     baseball could not be repressed;
       Whereas Major League Baseball did not fully integrate its 
     league until July 1959;
       Whereas African Americans began organizing their own 
     professional baseball teams in 1885;
       Whereas the skills and abilities of Negro League players 
     eventually made Major League Baseball realize the need to 
     integrate the sport;
       Whereas six separate baseball leagues, known collectively 
     as the ``Negro Baseball Leagues'', were organized by African 
     Americans between 1920 and 1960;
       Whereas the Negro Baseball Leagues included exceptionally 
     talented players who played the game at its highest level;
       Whereas on May 20, 1920, the Negro National League, the 
     first successful Negro League, played its first game;
       Whereas Andrew ``Rube'' Foster, on February 13, 1920, at 
     the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri, founded the Negro 
     National League and also managed and played for the Chicago 
     American Giants, and later was inducted into the Baseball 
     Hall of Fame;
       Whereas Leroy ``Satchel'' Paige, who began his long career 
     in the Negro Leagues and did not make his Major League debut 
     until the age of 42, is considered one of the greatest 
     pitchers the game has ever seen, and during his long career 
     thrilled millions of baseball fans with his skill and 
     legendary showboating, and was later inducted into the 
     Baseball Hall of Fame;
       Whereas Josh Gibson, who was the greatest slugger of the 
     Negro Leagues, tragically died months before the integration 
     of baseball, and was later inducted into the Baseball Hall of 
     Fame;
       Whereas Jackie Robinson, whose career began with the Negro 
     League Kansas City Monarchs, became the first African 
     American to play in the Major Leagues in April 1947, was 
     named Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year in 1947, 
     subsequently led the Brooklyn Dodgers to 6 National League 
     pennants and a World Series championship, and was later 
     inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame;
       Whereas Larry Doby, whose career began with the Negro 
     League Newark Eagles, became the first African American to 
     play in the American League in July 1947, was an All-Star 9 
     times in Negro League and Major League Baseball, and was 
     later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame;
       Whereas John Jordan ``Buck'' O'Neil was a player and 
     manager of the Negro League Kansas City Monarchs, became the 
     first African American coach in the Major Leagues with the 
     Chicago Cubs in 1962, served on the Veterans Committee of the 
     National Baseball Hall of Fame, chairs the Negro Leagues 
     Baseball Museum Board of Directors, and has worked tirelessly 
     to promote the history of the Negro Leagues; and
       Whereas by achieving success on the baseball field, African 
     American baseball players helped break down color barriers 
     and integrate African Americans into all aspects of society 
     in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) designates May 20, 2006, as ``Negro Leaguers 
     Recognition Day''; and
       (2) recognizes the teams and players of the Negro Baseball 
     Leagues for their achievements, dedication, sacrifices, and 
     contributions to both baseball and our Nation.

  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I, along with Senator Talent, 
proudly submit a resolution recognizing May 20, 2006 as, ``Negro 
Leaguers Recognition Day.''
  Since 1885, long before Major League Baseball was integrated in 1947, 
African Americans were organizing their own professional leagues. These 
leagues did not succeed because of racial prejudice and lack of 
adequate financial backing. However, this changed dramatically with the 
inception of the first successful Negro league. On May 20, 1920, the 
Negro National League played its first game. Its creation was the 
result of the efforts of an African American player and manager named 
Andrew ``Rube'' Foster. Mr. Foster's success inspired the formation of 
other leagues.
  As a result, on October 3, 1924, the first Negro League World Series 
game was played between the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro National 
League and Hilldale of Philadelphia of the Eastern Colored League. This 
historic and exhaustive first series lasted ten games, covered a span 
of almost three weeks, and was played in four different cities. In the 
end, Kansas City claimed the championship.
  But the lasting legacy of the Negro leagues, as the six separate 
leagues between 1920 and 1960 are collectively known, are the 
tremendous baseball players they produced. Some of the names we know 
and some we don't. Among them is Jackie Robinson, the first African 
American to break the baseball color barrier; Leroy ``Satchel'' Paige, 
who was considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time; Josh 
Gibson, who was a prolific home-run hitter; Larry Doby, the first 
African American to play in the American League in July 1947; and John 
Jordan ``Buck'' O'Neil, who was the first African American coach in the 
Major Leagues and who is now head of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
  It is important that we remember and honor these players. In breaking 
down the baseball color barrier, these pioneers dealt a blow to hatred 
and prejudice across America. Today, we can honor them by declaring May 
20, 2006 as, ``Negro Leaguers Recognition Day.''

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