H1576 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð HOUSE April 16, 1997 canine that has served alongside offi- H. CON. RES. 61 vide greater opportunities for the rest cers enforcing our laws. Because of Whereas Jackie Robinson was the first four of us. their unique role, many of these ani- sport letterman at the University of Califor- The list of firsts is long and should mals have had protection training, nia at Los Angeles; never be forgotten. The Rosa Parkses, which could make them a danger to Whereas on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson the Frederick Douglasses, the Arthur public safety if they are handled by was the first African-American to cross the Ashes, the Marian Andersons, the color barrier and play for a major league someone who had not been trained in baseball team; James Merediths, the Jesse Owenses this capacity. Whereas Jackie Robinson, whose career and, in Oklahoma, Prentiss Gautt and As a result, these canines should not began in the Negro Leagues, went on to be Ada Louis Sipuels, and most recently simply be sold to the highest bidder at named Rookie of the Year and subsequently in our Nation we know of Tiger Woods. an auction to be taken home as a fam- led the Brooklyn Dodgers to six National These are all men and women who had ily pet. Unfortunately, if no appro- League pennants and a World Series cham- the courage, heart and insight to be priate trained handler comes forward pionship; the first to create change in our soci- Whereas Jackie Robinson's inspiring ca- ety. to bid on the property, there is a possi- reer earned him recognition as the first Afri- bility that this dog would be caged or can-American to win a batting title, lead the Being the first can often be lonely, even in some cases destroyed. league in stolen bases, play in an All-Star but these American heroes have had This is hardly humane, a hardly hu- game, win a Most Valuable Player award, the strength to push ahead and find mane treatment of an animal that has play in the World Series and be elected to justice where injustice had prevailed. spent its life protecting Americans and baseball's Hall of Fame; As a former professional athlete, I upholding our laws. Whereas after retiring from baseball Jack- am thankful for the Jackie Robinsons ie Robinson was active in the civil rights and the firsts of this world. They have b 1415 movement and founded the first bank owned gone before and not only opened the by African-Americans in New York City; According to the CRS research, there Whereas his legacy continues to uplift the door but they have left it wide open for are over 500 canines in service of the Nation through the Jackie Robinson Foun- people like me. Federal Government. H.R. 173 would dation that has provided 425 scholarships to April 15, 1947, was the first day that allow the surplus canines to be donated needy students; Jackie Robinson crossed the color bar- to their handlers, who would thereby Whereas Jackie Robinson's courage, dig- rier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. What assume all the costs and responsibil- nity, and example taught the Nation that made Jackie Robinson so memorable ities related to the care of that animal. what matters most is not the color of a was that his list of achievements did man's skin but rather the content of his This is a simple solution to a unique not stop with that crashing of racial character; barriers. His accomplishments, includ- problem that confronts our Federal law Whereas Jackie Robinson, in his career, enforcement canine units. H.R. 173 re- consistently demonstrated that how you ing being named Rookie of the Year moves the hoops agencies must jump play the game is more important than the and leading the Dodgers to six National through to place a canine that has final score; League pennants, including a World Se- served our country with a handler and Whereas Jackie Robinson's life and herit- ries championship, matched his brav- a nurturing home. age help make the American dream more ac- ery. cessible to all; and Jackie Robinson understood that he Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Whereas April 15, 1997, marks the 50th an- gentleman from California [Mr. HORN] could lock arms with other blacks and niversary of Jackie Robinson's entrance into fight racism and fight bigotry, but he and the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. major league baseball: Now, therefore, be it BURTON] and the committee's action on Resolved by the House of Representatives (the also understood that success is deter- this bill, and I urge my colleagues to Senate concurring), That the achievements mined by the individual effort, not by support H.R. 173 to ease the adoption of and contributions of Jackie Robinson be the group. Federal law enforcement canines. honored and celebrated; that his dedication Jackie was a true entrepreneur. His Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back and sacrifice be recognized; and that his con- life did not stop with baseball. He went tributions to African-Americans and to the on to be active in the Civil Rights the balance of my time. Nation be remembered. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. movement during the 1960's. He served The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- UPTON). The question is on the motion in Governor Nelson Rockefeller's ad- offered by the gentleman from Califor- ant to the rule, the gentleman from ministration and started the first California [Mr. HORN] and the gentle- nia [Mr. HORN] that the House suspend black-owned bank in New York City, as the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 173, as woman from New York [Mrs. Maloney] well as a construction firm. amended. each will control 20 minutes. Last night the Nation celebrated this The question was taken; and (two- The Chair recognizes the gentleman anniversary during the fifth inning of thirds having voted in favor thereof) from California [Mr. HORN]. the Dodgers-Mets game. Mrs. Robinson the rules were suspended and the bill, Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- graciously accepted the accolades and as amended, was passed. mous consent that I may yield my time America paused to recognize number The title of the bill was amended so to the gentleman from Oklahoma, [Mr. 42. as to read: ``A bill to amend the Fed- WATTS], and that he be permitted to Athletics is one of the few arenas eral Property and Administrative Serv- yield blocks of time. today where we are judged on our mer- ices Act of 1949 to authorize donation The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there its. If an individual is good enough to of Federal law enforcement canines objection to the request of the gen- play, they play. Jackie is an icon be- that are no longer needed for official tleman from California? cause of his integrity and character There was no objection. purposes to individuals with experience and what he proved by being the first The SPEAKER pro tempore. The handling canines in the performance of and opening the door. He accomplished Chair recognizes the gentleman from law enforcement duties.'' more for all people than he could have Oklahoma [Mr. WATTS]. A motion to reconsider was laid on accomplished in Washington with more Mr. WATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- the table. legislation. self such time as I may consume. There is a lesson in the life of Jackie f Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support Robinson for all of us. of House Concurrent Resolution 61. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of HONORING THE LIFETIME This resolution encourages all Ameri- my time. ACHIEVEMENTS OF JACKIE ROB- cans to remember the achievements of Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. INSON Jackie Robinson at this important Speaker, I yield myself such time as I Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I move to time in our country's history. may consume. suspend the rules and agree to the con- There is something magical about Jackie Robinson is a true American current resolution (H. Con. Res. 61) the firsts in our society. I sometimes hero. Fifty years ago yesterday he honoring the lifetime achievements of think God gave them broader shoulders stood up against racism, prejudice and Jackie Robinson. to carry the tremendous load they have hate and changed this country for the The Clerk read as follows: had to bear to make life better and pro- better. We applaud the strength that April 16, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð HOUSE H1577 he showed on the field and especially about over when I finally got to the big But going back to the question that I the courage he exerted off the field. He leagues. When I started out I was in asked before, the question is how would was a pillar of strength in the civil the American League with Detroit and he feel. I think that and I hope that as rights movement and we are fortunate he was in the National League with we celebrate this great man's life, and that his legacy is continued today in Brooklyn, so the only time I really got certainly we do not celebrate because the Jackie Robinson Foundation. to face him was in spring training he died but because he lived, I hope Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of games in 1954, 1955, and 1956. that we will keep a lot of things in my time. But in those days, Brooklyn was the mind, and I am sure if Jackie Robinson Mr.