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 Af-
rican-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 Indi-
anapolis 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 fu-
ture Hall of Fame players like Oscar Charleston, Ben 
Taylor, and Raleigh ‘‘Biz’’ Mackey; 
Whereas the Indianapolis ABCs excelled in the Negro Na-
tional 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, African- 
American baseball teams, managers, and players helped 
break down color barriers and integrate African-Ameri-
cans into all aspects of society in the United States: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That the Congress— 
(1) recognizes the 88th anniversary of the first 
National Negro League baseball game, played in In-
dianapolis, Indiana; 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. 
Æ 
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