[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5579]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      JOHN W. JACKSON (BUD FOWLER)

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER P. GIBSON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 2013

  Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my constituents in 
New York's 19th Congressional District to commemorate the life and work 
of John W. Jackson or, as he became known, Bud Fowler.
  Bud was born in Fort Plain, NY in 1858 and grew up in the famous 
baseball community of Cooperstown, NY. As an African American in a 
segregated America, his race often prohibited him from participating in 
the same leagues as his white counterparts. Despite this challenge, he 
made a name for himself as the first African American baseball player 
to participate in organized leagues.
  Beginning as a pitcher, Bud soon excelled in all positions of the 
game, most notably at second base, which he preferred. He played in 
several leagues in the second half of the 19th Century and the 
beginning of the twentieth. This included playing, coaching, or 
organizing for Binghamton in the International League, Keokuk in the 
Western League, Lansing in the Michigan State League, and various black 
ball clubs, including the Page Fence Giants, Cuban Giants, the Smoky 
City Giants, and the All-American Black Tourists.
  Bud is recognized as having the longest professional baseball career 
for an African American prior to Jackie Robinson. He is an incredible 
role model for all Americans, displaying what can be accomplished 
beyond all hurdles faced in life. I am proud that I will have the 
opportunity to attend Cooperstown's upcoming recognition ceremony of 
this great American on Sunday, April 21, 2013, when a street leading up 
to Doubleday Field will be renamed ``Fowler Way.''

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