Honor Jackie Robinson's Birthday

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.