IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 59 
Recognizing the contributions of African-American basketball teams and play-
ers for their achievements, dedication, and contributions to the sport 
of basketball and to the Nation. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 14, 2005 
Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan (for herself, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. MEEK of Florida, 
Mr. OWENS, Mr. LANTOS, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. CAPUANO, 
Mr. MCDERMOTT, and Mr. MEEKS of New York) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Govern-
ment Reform 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the contributions of African-American basketball 
teams and players for their achievements, dedication, 
and contributions to the sport of basketball and to the 
Nation. 
Whereas, even though African-Americans were excluded from 
playing in organized white-only leagues, the desire of Af-
rican-Americans to play basketball could not be re-
pressed; 
Whereas, unlike baseball, which had Negro leagues, basket-
ball had no organized black leagues, thus forcing blacks 
to take to the road out of necessity;
•HCON 59 IH 
Whereas among the most well-known black barnstorming 
teams who found their beginnings in the 1920s were the 
New York Renaissance (or Rens), the Harlem Globe-
trotters, the New York Enforcers, the Harlem Clowns, 
the Harlem Road Kings, the Harlem Stars, the Harlem 
Ambassadors, and the Philadelphia Tribunes; 
Whereas, despite the racism they faced, Negro basketball 
teams overcame great obstacles to play the game before 
black players were allowed to play in the National Bas-
ketball Association in the early 1950s; 
Whereas the New York Rens became one of the first great 
basketball dynasties in the history of the game, compiling 
a 2,588–539 record in its 27-year existence, winning 88 
straight games in the 1932–33 season, and winning the 
1939 World Professional Championship; 
Whereas the Harlem Globetrotters proved that they were ca-
pable of beating professional teams like the World Cham-
pions Minneapolis Lakers led by basketball great George 
Mikan in 1948; 
Whereas the barnstorming African-American basketball 
teams included exceptionally talented players and shaped 
modern-day basketball by introducing a new style of play 
predicated on speed, short crisp passing techniques, and 
vigorous defensive play; 
Whereas among the pioneers who played on black barn-
storming teams included players such as Tarzan Cooper, 
Pop Gates, John Isaacs, Willie Smith, Sweetwater Clif-
ton, Ermer Robinson, Bob Douglas, Pappy Ricks, Runt 
Pullins, Goose Tatum, Marques Haynes, Bobby Hall, 
Babe Pressley, Bernie Price, Ted Strong, Inman Jack-
son, Duke Cumberland, Fat Jenkins, Eddie Younger,
•HCON 59 IH 
Lou Badger, Zachary Clayton, Jim Usry, Sonny Boswell, 
and Puggy Bell; 
Whereas the struggles of these players and others paved the 
way for current African American professional players, 
who are playing in the National Basketball Association 
today; 
Whereas the style of black basketball was more conducive to 
a wide open, fast-paced spectator sport; 
Whereas, by achieving success on the basketball court, Afri-
can-American basketball players helped break down the 
color barrier and integrate African-Americans into all as-
pects of society in the United States; 
Whereas, during the era of sexism and gender barriers, barn-
storming African-American basketball was not limited to 
men’s teams, but included women’s teams as well, such 
as the Chicago Romas and the Philadelphia Tribunes; 
Whereas only in recent years has the history of African- 
Americans in team sports begun receiving the recognition 
it deserves; 
Whereas basketball is a uniquely modern and uniquely Amer-
ican sport; 
Whereas the Black Legends of Professional Basketball Foun-
dation, founded by former Harlem Globetrotter Dr. John 
Kline, of Detroit, Michigan, honors and highlights the 
significant contributions of these pioneers and their im-
pact on professional basketball today; and 
Whereas the hard work and efforts of the foundation have 
been instrumental in bringing African-American induct-
ees into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 
in Springfield, Massachusetts: Now therefore, be it