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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 114 Introduced in House (IH)]

110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 114

Encouraging recognition of February 13th of each year for the founding 
            for the Negro Leagues in Kansas City, Missouri.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 17, 2007

  Mr. Cleaver (for himself, Mr. Rangel, and Mr. Blunt) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                    Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
Encouraging recognition of February 13th of each year for the founding 
            for the Negro Leagues in Kansas City, Missouri.

Whereas February 13 of each year would be an appropriate day to observe 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;
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 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 on May 20, 1920, the Negro National League, the first successful Negro 
        League, played its first game;
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;
Whereas James ``Cool Papa'' Bell, who served in the Negro Leagues from 1922 to 
        1950 as a player, manager, coach, and scout, who discovered, trained, 
        and assisted numerous Negro League players into the Major Leagues, who 
        was recognized as the fastest man ever to play baseball for once being 
        clocked circling the bases in 11 seconds, and who as a center-fielder, 
        switch-hitter, bunting specialist, and champion base stealer was 
        inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974;
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, chaired the Negro 
        Leagues Baseball Museum Board of Directors, and worked tirelessly as a 
        life-time ambassador for the Negro Leagues and Major League Baseball and 
        to promote the preservation of the history of the Negro Leagues;
Whereas the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum was built in Kansas City, Missouri 
        under the leadership of the former Mayor of Kansas City, Emanuel 
        Cleaver, II;
Whereas H. Con. Res. 60 was introduced in the House of Representatives in the 
        109th Congress to officially designate the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum 
        as America's National Negro League Baseball Museum and its companion, S. 
        Con. Res. 60 passed both the House and Senate by voice vote; 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 by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),  
That--
            (1) the Congress encourages all Americans to observe 
        ``Negro Leaguers Recognition Day'' each year; and
            (2) recognizes the teams and players of the Negro Baseball 
        Leagues for their achievements, dedication, sacrifices, and 
        contributions to both baseball and our Nation.
                                 <all>
```