Senate Resolution No. 366

BY: Senator PERSAUD

COMMEMORATING the 100th Birthday of Jackie
Robinson, a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers known for
breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball

WHEREAS, It is with noble admiration and pride that this Legislative
Body joyfully pays just recognition to those respected athletes whose
bravery, skill and quiescent dignity brought extraordinary humanity to
both the game of baseball and society, contributing to the integration
of that sport; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
100th Birthday of Jackie Robinson, a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers
known for breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball; and

WHEREAS, On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first
African-American to play in a Major League Baseball game, when he
started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers against the Boston
Braves; and

WHEREAS, Born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, Jack Roosevelt
Robinson, or Jackie as he was known, was raised along with his four
brothers and sisters by his mother in Pasadena, California; and

WHEREAS, An athlete of outstanding physical skills with a burning,
single-minded desire for victory, Jackie Robinson attended the
University of California, Los Angeles, where he won an unprecedented
four varsity letters in four different sports: track, football, baseball
and basketball; and

WHEREAS, During World War II, Jackie Robinson enlisted in the United
States Army where he rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant and was
honorably discharged after two years; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Jackie
Robinson began playing with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro
National League; he was later signed to a major league baseball contract
by Branch Rickey and assigned to the Dodgers' Montreal farm team of the
International League in 1946; and

WHEREAS, In 1947, at the age of 28, Jackie Robinson joined the
Brooklyn Dodgers of the National League and led the team to its first
pennant since 1941; during the season, he hit .297, scored 125 runs, and
led the league in stolen bases with 29, and was named Rookie of the
Year; and

WHEREAS, Instrumental in leading the Dodgers to six World Series
appearances in 10 years, Jackie Robinson was named Most Valuable Player
in 1949, when he led the league in batting and stolen bases; and

WHEREAS, For a time when Jackie Robinson played for the Dodgers, he
resided at 5224 Tilden Avenue; today, this home is known as the Jackie
Robinson House and is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places; and


WHEREAS, Jackie Robinson retired from baseball in 1957, and was
elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, in 1962,
a fitting climax to an illustrious career that triumphed over adversity
and led the way for other African-American baseball players to emulate;
and

WHEREAS, On June 4, 1972, the Dodgers retired his No. 42 uniform in
on-field ceremonies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California; all of
Major League Baseball saluted him in 1997, on the 50th Anniversary of
his breaking the color barrier, and retired his number permanently from
the game; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend
individuals of historical significance who have contributed to the
richness and ethnic diversity of the history of New York State and our
Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Birthday of Jackie Robinson, a member of the
Brooklyn Dodgers known for breaking the color barrier in Major League
Baseball; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Jackie Robinson.