[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17] [House] [Pages 22554-22555] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT PRESIDENT SHOULD POSTHUMOUSLY AWARD PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM TO LEROY ROBERT ``SATCHEL'' PAIGE Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 91) expressing the sense of Congress that the President should posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Leroy Robert ``Satchel'' Paige. The Clerk read as follows: S. Con. Res. 91 Whereas Satchel Paige, who was born on July 7, 1906, in Mobile, Alabama, lived a life that was marked by his outstanding contributions to the game of baseball; Whereas Satchel Paige was a dominating pitcher whose baseball career spanned several decades, from 1927 to 1965; Whereas Satchel Paige played in the Negro Leagues and became famous for his unusual pitching style and his ability to strike out almost any player he faced; Whereas Satchel Paige pitched 62 consecutive scoreless innings in 1933; Whereas due to the practice of segregation in baseball, Satchel Paige was prohibited for many years from playing baseball at the major league level; Whereas Satchel Paige played for many Negro League teams, including-- (1) the Chattanooga Black Lookouts; (2) the Birmingham Black Barons; (3) the Nashville Elite Giants; (4) the Mobile Tigers; (5) the Pittsburgh Crawfords; and (6) the Kansas City Monarchs; Whereas while pitching for the Kansas City Monarchs, Satchel Paige won 4 consecutive league pennants from 1939 to 1942, and later won a 5th pennant in 1946 with that team; Whereas after the desegregation of baseball, Satchel Paige signed a contract to pitch for the Cleveland Indians at age 42, and soon thereafter became the oldest rookie ever to play baseball at the major league level; Whereas the extraordinary pitching of Satchel Paige helped the Cleveland Indians complete a championship season in 1948, as the team won the American League Championship and the World Series; Whereas Satchel Paige threw an estimated 300 career shutouts; Whereas in 1971, Satchel Paige became the first Negro League player to be inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame; Whereas the legendary pitching of Satchel Paige earned him numerous awards and accolades, including-- (1) a nomination to the All Century Team by Major League Baseball as 1 of the greatest players of the 20th century; and (2) a selection to the 50 Legends of Baseball by the Postal Service; Whereas despite years of discrimination that limited the play of Satchel Paige to the Negro Leagues, his prowess on the pitching mound earned him the respect and admiration of fans and players throughout the world of baseball; Whereas Satchel Paige passed away on June 8, 1982; and Whereas the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, was established in 1945 to recognize citizens of the United States who have made exceptional contributions to-- (1) the security or national interests of the United States; (2) world peace; (3) the culture of the United States or the world; or (4) the citizens of the United States or the world: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that the President should award the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to Leroy ``Satchel'' Paige in honor of his distinguished baseball career and the contributions that he has made to the improvement of the society of the United States and the world. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio. General Leave Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Ohio? There was no objection. Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Satchel Paige began playing baseball at a time when segregation prevented African American players from participating at the Major League level. He was a powerhouse pitcher for what was called the Negro League, and in 1933 pitched 62 consecutive scoreless innings for his team. With his animated personality, he was the main attraction at games and fans marveled at the famous pitches he creatively coined with names like ``bat dodger'' and ``the hesitation pitch.'' In July of 1948, after segregation in baseball had ended, Satchel Paige signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians. He was 42 years old at the time and he was the oldest rookie in the Major Leagues. The Indians won the American League championship and the World Series that year, thanks in no small part to his pitching talent. I would add as an addendum, Mr. Speaker, being from Cleveland, Ohio, that is the last time that the Cleveland Indians have won the World Series. In total, Satchel Paige threw close to 300 career shutouts, and in 1971 he was the first Negro League player inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. He is remembered by his family and friends not just as a baseball player who made history, but as a man who was full of warmth, full of energy and quick to make people laugh. Satchel Paige's contributions to the sport of baseball and United States culture are undoubtedly exceptional, and I am happy to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is believed that Leroy ``Satchel'' Paige was born on July 7, 1905. In 1965, 60 years after Page's estimated birth, he took the mound for the [[Page 22555]] last time and threw three shutout innings for the Kansas City Athletics. Paige's pitching was amazing and his showboating was legendary. Joe DiMaggio called Paige ``the best and fastest pitcher I have ever faced.'' His career highlights spanned five decades. Pronounced the greatest pitcher in the history of the Negro Leagues, Paige compiled such feats as 64 consecutive scoreless innings, a stretch of 21 straight wins, and a 31-4 record in 1933. For 22 years, Paige mauled the competition in front of sellout crowds. His goal was to pitch in the Major Leagues. In 1948, Paige's dream came true. The Cleveland Indians were in need of extra pitching for the pennant race. Paige stepped to the mound and helped the Indians win. He also played for St. Louis and Kansas City. When Paige's Major League career was completed, he compiled a modest 28-31 record with a 3.29 earned run average. He also served as a coach for the Atlanta Braves in 1968. In 1971, Paige was given the ultimate honor. He was elected to join the very best in baseball history by being elected to the Hall of Fame. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to support S. Con. Res. 91. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution, S. Con. Res. 91. The question was taken; and (two-thirds of those voting having responded in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the Senate concurrent resolution was concurred in. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________