H. Res. 162

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

March 6, 2007.

Whereas even though African Americans were excluded from 

playing in the major leagues of their time with their 

white counterparts, the desire of many African Americans 

to play baseball could not be repressed; 

Whereas Major League Baseball did not fully integrate its 

leagues until July 1959; 

Whereas African Americans began organizing their own professional baseball teams in 1885; 

Whereas the skills and abilities of Negro League players 

eventually made Major League Baseball realize the need 

to integrate the sport; 

Whereas six separate baseball leagues, known collectively as 

the ‘‘Negro Baseball Leagues’’, were organized by African Americans between 1920 and 1960; 

Whereas the Negro Baseball Leagues included exceptionally 

talented players who played the game at its highest level; 

Whereas on May 20, 1920, the Negro National League, the 

first successful Negro League, played its first game; 

Whereas Andrew ‘‘Rube’’ Foster, on February 13, 1920, at 

the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri, founded the 

Negro National League and also managed and played for 
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the Chicago American Giants, and later was inducted 

into the Baseball Hall of Fame; 

Whereas Leroy ‘‘Satchel’’ Paige, who began his long career 

in the Negro Leagues and did not make his Major 

League debut until the age of 42, is considered one of 

the greatest pitchers the game has ever seen, and during 

his long career thrilled millions of baseball fans with his 

skill and legendary showboating, and was later inducted 

into the Baseball Hall of Fame; 

Whereas Josh Gibson, who was the greatest slugger of the 

Negro Leagues, tragically died months before the integration of baseball, and was later inducted into the Baseball 

Hall of Fame; 

Whereas Jackie Robinson, whose career began with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League, became the first African American to play in the Major 

Leagues in April 1947, was named Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year in 1947, subsequently led the 

Brooklyn Dodgers to 6 National League pennants and a 

World Series championship, and was later inducted into 

the Baseball Hall of Fame; 

Whereas Larry Doby, whose career began with the Newark 

Eagles of the Negro National League, became the first 

African American to play in the American League in July 

1947, was an All-Star 9 times in the Negro Leagues and 

Major League Baseball, and was later inducted into the 

Baseball Hall of Fame; 

Whereas John Jordan ‘‘Buck’’ O’Neil was a player and manager of the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League, became the first African American coach in 

the Major Leagues with the Chicago Cubs in 1962, 
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served on the Veterans Committee of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, chaired the Negro Leagues Baseball 

Museum Board of Directors, and worked tirelessly to promote the history of the Negro Leagues; 

Whereas the talents of such players as James Thomas ‘‘Cool 

Papa’’ Bell and Oscar Charleston earned them recognition in the Baseball Hall of Fame as well as the Sporting 

News List of Baseball’s Greatest Players, but were all denied admission to the Major Leagues due to the color of 

their skin; 

Whereas Minnie Min ̃oso played in the Negro Leagues for several years before being allowed to play in the Major 

League and was denied admission to the Hall of Fame, 

because during his prime years, he was a victim of racial 

discrimination; 

Whereas Autozone Park in Memphis, Tennessee, has been 

designated to host on March 31, 2007, the inaugural 

Civil Rights Game between World Series champions, the 

St. Louis Cardinals and the Cleveland Indians in commemoration of the Civil Rights Movement; and 

Whereas by achieving success on the baseball field, African 

American baseball players helped break down color barriers and integrate African Americans into all aspects of 

society in the United States: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) recognizes the teams and players of the Negro 

Baseball Leagues for their achievements, dedication, sacrifices, and contributions to both baseball and our Nation; and 
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(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 

recognizing ‘‘Negro Leaguers Recognition Day’’. 

Attest:

Clerk.