ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 151

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MAY 5, 1997

By Assemblymen KRAMER and T.SMITH

An Assembly Resolution honoring the accomplishments of Jackie Robinson on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his entry into major league baseball.

Whereas, April 15, 1997 marked the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's debut as the first black American to play baseball as a member of a modern major league team; and

Whereas, Robinson, a 28-year-old rookie, made history at Ebbets Field by playing first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers in their game at home against the Boston Braves; and

Whereas, Prior to that game, black American athletes were purposely and unjustly discriminated against by and effectively barred from modern major league baseball, not because of their inability to play the game, but only because of the color of their skin; and

Whereas, By breaking the previously all-white color barrier in Brooklyn that day, Jackie Robinson not only integrated the Dodgers but also helped to lead the way toward integration in all American professional sports and American society as well; and

Whereas, At the end of his rookie season, Robinson had become National League Rookie of the Year, with 12 home runs, a league-leading 29 stolen bases and a .297 batting average; and

Whereas, In 1949, Robinson was selected as the league's Most Valuable Player and also won the year's batting title with a .342 average; and

Whereas, As a result of his extraordinary talent as a player, Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, in Cooperstown, New York , in 1962; and

Whereas, At the time of his death in 1972, Robinson was remembered across the nation as a gifted athlete and on the 40th anniversary of his major league baseball debut, he was honored by the United States Post Office by the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp; and

Whereas, At a special ceremony during a baseball game at Shea Stadium on April 15th of this year, President Clinton, members of the Robinson family and Acting Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig joined together to pay homage to the man who, in the President's words, "changed the face of baseball and the face of America forever"; and

Whereas, As a unique tribute to Robinson, it was also announced to the 54,000 people who crowded the stadium on the night of the ceremony that major league baseball would retire permanently his uniform number-42; and

Whereas, It is fitting and proper for this House to note the significance of this 50th anniversary and to offer its tribute to Jackie Robinson, his accomplishments and his enduring legacy; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. This House honors the accomplishments of Jackie Robinson on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his entry into major league baseball.

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to members of Mr. Robinson's family and the Acting Commissioner of Baseball.

STATEMENT

    This Assembly Resolution honors the accomplishments of Jackie Robinson on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his entry into major league baseball.

Honors accomplishments of Jackie Robinson on occasion of the 50th anniversary of his entry into major league baseball.