III 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. CON. RES. 68 

Designating May 20, 2006, as ‘‘Negro Leaguers Recognition Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

DECEMBER 12, 2005 

Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself and Mr. TALENT) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Designating May 20, 2006, as ‘‘Negro Leaguers Recognition 

Day’’. 

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 

league 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; 
2 

•SCON 68 IS

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 

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 

Negro League Kansas City Monarchs, 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; 
3 

•SCON 68 IS

Whereas Larry Doby, whose career began with the Negro 

League Newark Eagles, became the first African American to play in the American League in July 1947, was 

an All-Star 9 times in Negro League 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 Negro League Kansas City Monarchs, became 

the first African American coach in the Major Leagues 

with the Chicago Cubs in 1962, served on the Veterans 

Committee of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, chairs 

the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Board of Directors, 

and has worked tirelessly to promote the history of the 

Negro Leagues; 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 

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) designates May 20, 2006, as ‘‘Negro 

4 Leaguers Recognition Day’’; and 

5 (2) recognizes the teams and players of the 

6 Negro Baseball Leagues for their achievements, 

7 dedication, sacrifices, and contributions to both 

8 baseball and our Nation. 

Æ