IV 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 84 
Encouraging recognition of February 13th of each year for the founding 
for the Negro Leagues in Kansas City, Missouri. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 7, 2007 
Mr. CLEAVER 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 pro-
fessional baseball teams in 1885; 
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•HCON 84 IH 
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 Afri-
can 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 integra-
tion 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 
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•HCON 84 IH 
6 National League pennants and a World Series cham-
pionship, and was later inducted into the Baseball Hall 
of Fame; 
Whereas Larry Doby, whose career began with the Negro 
League Newark Eagles, became the first African Amer-
ican 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 man-
ager 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 des-
ignate the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum as America’s 
National Negro League Baseball Museum and its com-
panion, S. Con. Res. 60 passed both the House and Sen-
ate by voice vote; and 
Whereas by achieving success on the baseball field, African 
American baseball players helped break down color bar-
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•HCON 84 IH 
riers 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. 
Æ 
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