IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 368 

Recognizing May 2, 2008, as the 88th anniversary of the first National 

Negro League baseball game. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 4, 2008 

Mr. CARSON submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred 

to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Recognizing May 2, 2008, as the 88th anniversary of the 

first National Negro League baseball game. 

Whereas many separate baseball leagues, known collectively 

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

Whereas Major League Baseball did not fully integrate its 

leagues until July 1959; 

Whereas the skills and abilities of Negro Baseball League 

players eventually made Major League Baseball realize 

the need to integrate the sport; 

Whereas Andrew ‘‘Rube’’ Foster founded the Negro National 

League on February 13, 1920, at the Paseo YMCA in 

Kansas City, Missouri, and also managed and played for 


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•HCON 368 IH 

the Chicago American Giants, and later was inducted 

into the Baseball Hall of Fame; 

Whereas the National Negro League played its first game on 

May 2, 1920, at Washington Park, originally located 3 

blocks over the White River Bridge west of downtown in 

Indianapolis, Indiana; 

Whereas in the first National Negro League game, the Indianapolis ABCs hosted the Chicago Union Giants and won 

by a score of 4–2; 

Whereas the Indianapolis ABCs, named after their sponsor, 

the American Brewing Company, and formed at the turn 

of the last century, played teams from around the city, 

including some white teams from throughout Indiana; 

Whereas Charles I. Taylor founded and managed the ABCs 

and was widely considered to be one of the best early 

Negro Baseball League managers; 

Whereas C.I. Taylor’s eye for spotting talent discovered future Hall of Fame players like Oscar Charleston, Ben 

Taylor, and Raleigh ‘‘Biz’’ Mackey; 

Whereas the Indianapolis ABCs excelled in the Negro National League, finishing second in the 1922 season with 

a 46–33 record; 

Whereas the Indianapolis ABCs played 11 seasons in the 

Negro Baseball Leagues, from 1920 to 1926, 1931 to 

1932, and 1938 to 1939, and the Indianapolis Clowns 

played 17 seasons in the Negro Baseball Leagues, from 

1946 to 1962; 

Whereas the Negro Baseball Leagues included exceptionally 

talented players who played the game at its highest level; 


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•HCON 368 IH 

Whereas Henry ‘‘Hank’’ Aaron made his professional debut 

with the Indianapolis Clowns in 1952 and was elected to 

the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982; and 

Whereas by achieving success on the baseball field, AfricanAmerican baseball teams, managers, and 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 House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That the Congress— 

3 (1) recognizes the 88th anniversary of the first 

4 National Negro League baseball game, played in In5 dianapolis, Indiana; and 

6 (2) recognizes the teams and players of the 

7 Negro Baseball Leagues for their achievements, 

8 dedication, sacrifices, and contributions to both 

9 baseball and our Nation. 

Æ 


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