[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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