[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6426]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO NEGRO BASEBALL LEAGUE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 14, 2007

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise to express my 
profound respect and admiration to all the members of the Negro 
Baseball League. These athletes contributed greatly to the sport of 
baseball and to our nation. African American baseball players were an 
important part of breaking down barriers, reducing prejudice, and 
moving the country towards integration, fairness, and equality. And 
because of their talent and determination, Major League Baseball 
finally integrated in 1959, 40 years after the formation of the Negro 
Baseball League.
  While the 4th District was never home to an official Negro baseball 
team designated by the Negro League, which began in 1920, it was home 
to the St. Paul Gophers. The team was formed in 1907, long before the 
official Negro League was created, and with the likes of Bobby 
Marshall, a stand-out at the University of Minnesota in three sports, 
they went on to win the unofficial championship in 1909 against the 
Chicago Leland Giants. Minnesota was also home to Minneapolis 
Keystones, an all-black men's team that also played in the early 1900's 
and, in 1944, the Minneapolis Millerettes, a member of All-American 
Girls Baseball League. Even though these teams played for only a short 
time, they remain an important part of the history of our state and a 
testament to the value of inclusion in our communities.
  I am proud to support for H. Res. 162 and to recognize the enormous 
achievements by African American athletes throughout our Nation's 
history.

                          ____________________