    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [April 15, 1997]
    [Pages 444-445]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks in Queens Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson's
    Integration of Major League Baseball
    April 15, 1997

        Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. Robinson, members of
    the Robinson family. It is hard to believe that it was 50 years ago at
    Ebbets Field that a 28-year-old rookie changed the face of baseball and
    the face of America forever. Jackie Robinson scored the go-ahead run
    that day, and we've all been trying to catch up ever since.
        Today I think every American should say a special word of thanks to
    Jackie Robinson and to Branch Rickey and to the members of the Dodger
    team who made him one of their own and proved that America is a better,
    stronger, richer country when we all work together and give everyone a
    chance. And today I think we should remember that Jackie Robinson's
    legacy did not end with baseball, for afterward he spent the rest of his
    life trying to open other doors and keep them open for all kinds of
    people. He knew that education, not sports, was the key to success in
    life for nearly everyone, and he took that message to young people
    wherever he went. I congratulate Rachel Robinson for continuing that
    mission through the work of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, which has
    given hundreds of young people a chance to build the life of their
    dreams.
        I can't help thinking that if Jackie Robinson were here with us
    tonight, he would say that we have done a lot of good in the last 50
    years, but we can do better. We have achieved equality on the playing
    field, but we need to establish equality in the boardrooms of baseball
    and throughout corporate America. And we need to make sure that, even as
    we celebrate his brilliant successor Tiger Woods' victory in the
    Masters, we need even more of our young people from all walks of life to
    get their master's degrees and help to make more of their lives in this
    country.
        And he would remind us--look around this stadium tonight--that as we
    sit side by side at baseball games, we must make sure that we walk out
    of these stadiums together. We must stand for something more significant
    even than a grand slam home run. We ought to have a grand slam society,
    a good society where all of us have a chance to work together for a
    better tomorrow for our children. Let that be the true legacy of Jackie
    Robinson's wonderful, remarkable career and life.
        Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mrs. Rachel Robinson.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:39 p.m. at Shea Stadium. In his remarks,
    he referred to Branch Rickey, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, and
    professional golfer Tiger Woods.

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