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Congressional Gold Medal Recipient
Jackie Robinson
Remarks by President George W. Bush at Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring Jackie Robinson, March 2, 2005
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi Honors Jackie Robinson
at Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2003 SCHUMER ANNOUNCES NEW PUSH TO AWARD CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO JACKIE ROBINSON Schumer joins daughter Sharon Robinson, Major League Baseball, other members of Congress to urge passage of bill giving Jackie Robinson the highest expression of national appreciation Schumer is an original co-sponsor of S. 300 which also says there should be a national day of recognition each year for Jackie Robinson
US Senator Charles E. Schumer joined by
baseball legend Jackie Robinson's daughter Sharon, representatives of Major League Baseball, and a bipartisan group of Members of Congress today announced a new push to award a
Congressional Gold Medal to baseball legend
Jackie Robinson. Schumer is an original co-sponsor of this legislation. "As a kid growing up in Brooklyn, I was just five when I saw my last Dodgers game at Ebbets Field," Schumer said. "But the legacy of what he accomplished stayed in Brooklyn after he left, and it soon spread across the world." Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier and pioneered the integration of professional sports on April 15, 1947 when he took the field to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers. By breaking the color barrier in the American pastime, Robinson courageously challenged racial segregation in both the North and the South.
"As so many people have pointed out,
Dr. Martin Luther King said that he could not do what he was doing for our country if Jackie Robinson had not done what he did," Schumer said. At the end of Robinson's rookie season with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, he had become National League Rookie of the Year with 12 home runs, a league-leading 29 stolen bases, and a .297 batting average. The American public regarded Jackie Robinson so highly that, by the end of 1947, he finished ahead of
President Harry Truman, General Dwight Eisenhower,
General Douglas MacArthur, and
Bob Hope in a national poll for the most popular person in America, finishing only behind Bing Crosby. In 1949, Robinson was selected as the National League Most Valuable Player of the Year and also won the batting title with a .342 batting average that year. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Jackie Robinson was celebrated both as an athlete and as a social figure. On December 8, 1956, Robinson was awarded the
Spingarn Medal from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, an annual prize for outstanding achievement by an
African American. One month later, Jackie Robinson retired from baseball. Jackie Robinson then became Vice-President of Community Affairs for the restaurant chain Chock Full O Nuts, in New York. Robinson also served as Chairman of the NAACPs Freedom Fund campaign, and co-founded the Freedom National Bank of Harlem. Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 and died on October 24, 1972. The Jackie Robinson bill calls for designation of a national day recognizing Robinson's accomplishments and directs the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Since the
American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. There have been approximately 300 recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal, including
George Washington,
Mother Theresa,
Pope John Paul II,
Rosa Parks, and
Nelson Mandela. Other athletes who have received the Congressional Gold Medal include
Joe Louis - one of the greatest prizefighters of all time who successfully defended his title more times than any other heavyweight in history; runner
Jesse Owens - the only runner ever to set three new world records and equal a fourth; and
Roberto Clemente, the Hall of Fame baseball player who died in a plane crash while taking medicine, food and clothing to earthquake stricken Nicaragua on New Years Eve 1972. Schumer sits on the US Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, which requires at least 67 Senators to cosponsor any Congressional Gold Medal legislation before the committee will take up consideration of it. So far, only 38 Senators have signed onto the Jackie Robinson bill. "For the 10 years Jackie Robinson wore that big No. 42 for our Dodgers, he was our hero," Schumer said. "If you're a typical Brooklynite, Jackie Robinson represents your dreams. If you're a typical American, he represents the best you can be."
Brief Biography July 6, 1944 Army Lieutenant John Roosevelt Robinson, one of the 761st "Black Panther" Tank Battalion's few black officers, refused orders to sit in the back of a military bus at Fort Hood, Texas. He was subsequently court martialed, but acquitted because the order was a violation of War Department policy prohibiting racial discrimination in recreational and transportation facilities on all U.S. Army posts. After the war, Jackie Robinson went on to break the "color line" in baseball by being the first black to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The 761st "Black Panther" Tank Battalion became the first African-American armored unit to enter combat 8 Nov 1944 during an assault on the French towns of Moyenvic and Vic-sur-Seille. The 761st Tank Battalion participated in the American counteroffensive during and after the Battle of the Bulge 31 Dec 1944-2 Feb 1945. The "Black Panthers" were able to split the German lines at three points, thereby preventing the resupply of the enemy forces surrounding American troops at Bastogne. Beginning on 20 Mar 1945 until 23 Mar, the "Black Panthers" helped to breech the Siegfried Line (or West Wall). This was a code name originating in WWI given to a series of concrete pillboxes, bunkers, and observation posts stretching along Germany's western border from Aachen south and southeast to the Rhine River, then to the Swiss border. The 761st Tank Battalion destroyed many of the defensive positions, captured seven German towns, and took control of a lot of German war materiel. The unit was also one of the first U.S. elements to join up with eastward-moving Soviet forces on 5 May 1945 at Steyr, Austria. For its impressive accomplishments in World War II, the 761st belatedly received a Presidential Unit Citation in 1978. The all-black 761st Tank Battalion was nominated in 1945 for a Presidential Unit Citation for its exceptional contributions in the European theater. Nominated six times between 1945 and 1976, the unit's award was not presented until 1978. The 761st was a notable exception to the usual U.S. Army practice in WWII of excluding most African Americans from combat duty. ### WASHINGTON -- More than half a century after
Jackie Robinson broke major league baseball's color barrier, Congress wants to honor him with its highest award. With bipartisan support,
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., introduced a bill on Wednesday to give the late Brooklyn Dodger a
Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions to civil rights and sports. The bill proposes designating a national day to recognize Robinson's accomplishments. Reps. Richard Neal, D-Mass., and Peter King, R-N.Y., introduced similar legislation in the House. Robinson, a four-sport star at UCLA, ended decades of segregation in the major leagues when he broke in April 15, 1947. He retired after 10 years, six pennants and one World Series with the Dodgers and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962. He died in 1972. "Throughout his years with the Dodgers, he faced constant abuse and pressure," said Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. "But the more he was taunted and threatened and harassed, the more he let his superb performance on the field speak for itself."
Baseball Hall of Famer and Kentucky senator Jim Bunning lends his support to the move to honor Jackie Robinson. (AP) Robinson played all but three games his first season "despite threats on his life, the weight of a people on his shoulders and racist taunts," said his daughter, Sharon. On the 50th anniversary of his major league debut, the league retired his No. 42. Since
George Washington received the first Congressional Gold Medal in 1776, Congress has bestowed the honor on some 300 people, including
Mother Teresa,
Pope John Paul II,
Rosa Parks and
President and Nancy Reagan. Congressman Lewis Supports Jackie Robinson Congressional Gold Medal
Washington, DC - On Wednesday, April 30, 2003, U.S. Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), along with Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA),
John McCain (R-AZ), Jim Bunning (R-KY) and Congressmen Richard Neal (D-MA) and Peter King (R-NY) held a press in the Senate Dirksen Building urging swift passage of a resolution awarding baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson with the
Congressional Gold Medal. Upon passage of the resolution introduced earlier this year, Jackie Robinson will be the first
African American in baseball to receive Congress' highest honor. Other press conference participants included: Sharon Robinson, Vice President of Education Programming for Major League Baseball and Jackie Robinson's daughter, Bob DuPuy, President and Chief Operating Officer for Major League Baseball, Larry Lucchino, Boston Red Sox President and Chief Executive, Bob Graziano, Los Angeles Dodgers President and Chief Operating Officer, and Kevin McClatchy, Principal Owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Statement by
Congressman Lewis in support of a Jackie Robinson
Congressional Gold Medal: I am proud to stand with my colleagues in support of a Jackie Robinson
Congressional Gold Medal. Jackie Robinson deserves the highest honor Congress can give. This son of America, this great man, this native of Georgia, broke barriers on the field and off the field. He was able to catch and hit balls at amazing speeds. He was able to steal bases in the blink of an eye. He could run so fast it appeared he was faster than the speed of light. Jackie Robinson's greatest contribution was not on the
baseball field. His greatest contribution was to the cause of social justice. Through his actions, Jackie Robinson inspired countless individuals to walk in dignity, to march with pride, to stand up for America by sitting in places African Americans had never been allowed to sit before. Before
Brown v. Board of Education - before the
Montgomery Bus Boycott - before
Martin Luther King Jr., before
Rosa Parks, before the
March on Washington - before the
Selma to Montgomery March - there was Jackie Robinson. I was seven years old in 1947 when Jackie Robinson broke the color line in professional sports and joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. I remember the celebration and the joy of that moment! Jackie Robinson inspired an entire generation to seek the way of racial equality and equal opportunity. He was a builder of bridges. During the late 50s and early 60s, when churches in Southwest Georgia used for voter registration workshops were burned to the ground, he joined
Martin Luther King Jr. and raised money to rebuild those churches. In 1963, he came to Washington and participated in the
March on Washington. Today, we have an opportunity to honor this man. To salute this man. To pay tribute to this man for all that he did to make our nation a more perfect union. Now Congress must do its part so that future generations will never forget what Jackie Robinson did for ALL of America. Congress has waited long enough. America has waited long enough. The family of Jackie Robinson has waited long enough. We must act now to grant a
Congressional Gold Medal to Jackie Robinson. Congressional Gold Medal Honors Jackie Robinson Bronze Duplicates Now Available WASHINGTON The United States Mint today announced that bronze duplicates of the Congressional Gold Medal honoring Jackie Robinson are now available. Rachel Robinson received the Congressionally authorized medal on behalf of her husband from President George W. Bush in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol rotunda today to honor the baseball great, civil rights leader and political activist. As stated in the authorizing legislation, Although the achievements of Jackie Robinson began with athletics, they widened to have a profound influence on civil and human rights in America. [T]he legacy and personal achievements of Jackie Robinson, as an athlete, a business leader, and a citizen, have had a lasting and positive influence on the advancement of civil rights in the United States. Fifty eight years ago, Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. In 1962, he was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, and in 1997, he became the first African American to be honored on a gold U.S. commemorative coin. Authorized by Congress under Public Law 108-101 and struck by the United States Mint, the medals obverse portrait of Jackie Robinson was designed by United States Mint sculptor/engraver Donna Weaver. The inscription, JACKIE ROBINSON, appears to the left of the portrait followed by A LIFETIME OF ADVOCACY FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE & HUMAN DIGNITY. The inscription, ACT OF CONGRESS 2003, appears on the lower rim. The reverse of the medal, designed by United States Mint sculptor/engravers John Mercanti and Don Everhart, features laurel branches surrounding a plaque containing the inscription, A LIFE IS NOT IMPORTANT EXCEPT IN THE IMPACT IT HAS ON OTHER LIVES. JACKIE ROBINSON. The three-inch bronze duplicate medal (medal number 754) is available for $38.00 and the 1-inch miniature bronze duplicate medal replica (medal number 755) is $3.00. Presentation cases are also available. Customers are invited to purchase both sizes of the bronze duplicates and miniature bronze replicas of the gold medal using the United States Mints secure website at
www.usmint.gov or call the toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 per order will be added to all orders. Hearing- and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468). Please allow two to three weeks for delivery. Contact: Press inquiries: Michael White (202) 354-7222 Customer Service information: (800) USA MINT (872-6468)
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