III 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. CON. RES. 57 

Recognizing the contributions of African-American basketball teams and players for their achievements, dedication, and contributions to the sport 

of basketball and the Nation. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

OCTOBER 6, 2005 

Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Mr. LEVIN) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, 

Science, and Transportation 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the contributions of African-American basketball 

teams and players for their achievements, dedication, 

and contributions to the sport of basketball and the 

Nation. 

Whereas, even though African-Americans were excluded from 

playing in organized White-only leagues, the desire of African-Americans to play basketball could not be repressed; 

Whereas, unlike baseball, which had Negro leagues, basketball had no organized Black leagues, thus forcing Blacks 

to take to the road out of necessity; 

Whereas among the most well-known black barnstorming 

teams that found their beginnings in the 1920s were the 
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•SCON 57 IS

New York Renaissance (or Rens), the Harlem Globetrotters, the New York Enforcers, the Harlem Clowns, 

the Harlem Road Kings, the Harlem Stars, the Harlem 

Ambassadors, and the Philadelphia Tribunes; 

Whereas, despite the racism they faced, Negro basketball 

teams overcame great obstacles to play the game before 

Black players were allowed to play in the National Basketball Association in the early 1950s; 

Whereas the New York Rens became one of the first great 

basketball dynasties in the history of the game, compiling 

a 2,588–539 record in its 27-year existence, winning 88 

straight games in the 1932–33 season, and winning the 

1939 World Professional Championship; 

Whereas the Harlem Globetrotters proved that they were capable of beating professional teams like the World Champion Minneapolis Lakers led by basketball great George 

Mikan in 1948; 

Whereas the barnstorming African-American basketball 

teams included exceptionally talented players and shaped 

modern-day basketball by introducing a new style of play 

predicated on speed, short crisp passing techniques, and 

vigorous defensive play; 

Whereas among the pioneers who played on Black barnstorming teams included players such as Tarzan Cooper, 

Pop Gates, John Isaacs, Willie Smith, Sweetwater Clifton, Ermer Robinson, Bob Douglas, Pappy Ricks, Runt 

Pullins, Goose Tatum, Marques Haynes, Bobby Hall, 

Babe Pressley, Bernie Price, Ted Strong, Inman Jackson, Duke Cumberland, Fat Jenkins, Eddie Younger, 

Lou Badger, Zachary Clayton, Jim Usry, Sonny Boswell, 

and Puggy Bell; 
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Whereas the struggles of these players and others paved the 

way for current African-American professional players, 

who are playing in the National Basketball Association 

today; 

Whereas the style of Black basketball was more conducive to 

a wide open, fast-paced, spectator sport; 

Whereas, by achieving success on the basketball court, African-American basketball players helped break down the 

color barrier and integrate African-Americans into all aspects of society in the United States; 

Whereas, during the era of sexism and gender barriers, barnstorming African-American basketball was not limited to 

men’s teams, but included women’s teams as well, such 

as the Chicago Romas and the Philadelphia Tribunes; 

Whereas only in recent years has the history of AfricanAmericans in team sports begun receiving the recognition 

it deserves; 

Whereas basketball is a uniquely modern and uniquely American sport; 

Whereas the Black Legends of Professional Basketball Foundation, established by former Harlem Globetrotter Dr. 

John Kline of Detroit, Michigan, honors and highlights 

the significant contributions of these pioneers and their 

impact on professional basketball today; and 

Whereas the hard work and efforts of the foundation have 

been instrumental in bringing African-American inductees into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 

in Springfield, Massachusetts: Now therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 

2 concurring), That 
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1 (1) Congress recognizes the teams and players 

2 of the barnstorming African-American basketball 

3 teams for their achievement, dedication, sacrifices, 

4 and contribution to basketball and to the Nation 

5 prior to the integration of the White professional 

6 leagues; 

7 (2) current National Basketball Association 

8 players should pay a debt of gratitude to these great 

9 pioneers of the game of basketball and recognize 

10 them at every possible opportunity; and 

11 (3) a copy of this resolution be transmitted to 

12 the Black Legends of Professional Basketball Foun13 dation, which has recognized and commemorated the 

14 achievements of African-American basketball teams, 

15 the National Basketball Association, and the 

16 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. 

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