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Home , American Royal, Amos Otis, Cookie Rojas, George Brett, Whitey Herzog, Willard Brown

June 27, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E933 PERSONAL EXPLANATION and would invest billions of dollars in Presi- Famers like , , dent Trump’s unnecessary border wall and , , and Buck O’Neil. HON. LUIS V. GUTIE´RREZ military technology along the border. The Kansas City Blues and Monarchs lead Kansas City in its original fandom, OF ILLINOIS Overall, the bill would simply dismantle fami- lies, detain innocent immigrants and children eventually resulting in the establishment of the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for prolonged, indefinite amounts of time, and city’s first stadium in 1923. Known initially as Wednesday, June 27, 2018 closes our border and walls to people around Muehlebach Field, the stadium is rooted adja- Mr. GUTIE´ RREZ. Mr. Speaker, I was un- the world who are ready to contribute to the cent to the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz Dis- avoidably absent in the House chamber for American dream. trict. This stadium would change hands sev- Roll Call votes 291, 292, 293, 294 and 295 on This is not what America is or has ever eral times; however, in the early 1950’s, a Tuesday, June 26, 2018. Had I been present, been. Our diverse nation was built by immi- wealthy real estate developer purchased the I would have voted Nay on Roll Call votes grants coming here to build for themselves stadium, as well as the Philadelphia Athletics, 291, 292, 294 and 295. I would have voted and their families, along with other commu- with the goal of bringing a major league team Yea on Roll Call vote 293. nities. back to Kansas City. Eventually, it was sold to f By adopting this bill, America would be act- Kansas City, Missouri. Encouraged by fans to ing inconsistent with its core values, and con- step up to the plate and expand the venue to BORDER SECURITY AND IMMIGRA- trary to its reputation as the world’s most gen- hold some 30,000 fans each game, the city TION REFORM ACT OF 2018 erous and welcoming nation. agreed to bring the newly named Kansas City And for those reasons, I urge my colleagues Athletics to Municipal Stadium. SPEECH OF to stand in opposition to H.R. 6136, the ‘‘Bor- After only 90 days of reconstruction, the HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE der Security and Immigration Reform Act of new stadium would be debuted to a sold-out OF TEXAS 2018.’’ crowd. Independence native and former Presi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f dent of the United States, Harry S. Truman threw out the first pitch in 1955. Kansas City Thursday, June 21, 2018 COMMEMORATING THE FIFTIETH would be victorious on that day, defeating the Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in SEASON OF THE KANSAS CITY in an 8–2 bout. Following their strong opposition of H.R. 6136, the ‘‘Border ROYALS AND THE HISTORY OF victorious debut, the Athletics would continue Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018.’’ BASEBALL IN KANSAS CITY to draw enormous crowds, making Kansas This so-called compromise is anything but a City baseball attendance third behind only the compromise. There was not even a markup in HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER illustrious Yankees and Milwaukee Braves. Ul- the Judiciary Committee; only secret meetings OF MISSOURI timately, the Kansas City Athletics would go with Administration officials known to author IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES through many changes, leading fans on a the worst immigration policy this nation has Wednesday, June 27, 2018 topsy-turvy ride with various owners, uniforms, witnessed. mascots, team colors, and even names of the Perhaps H.R. 6136 was an attempt at com- Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in team. Inevitably, the owner at the time, promising amongst the various factions that recognition of the 50th season of the Kansas Charles ‘‘Charlie’’ O. Finley, decided to move currently divide the majority and prevent Con- City Royals baseball team and the dedication the team in 1967. gress from accomplishing meaningful immigra- of their fans. Fifty years ago, the Athletics Although the Athletics left in 1968, Kansas tion reform. were officially transferred to Oakland Cali- City baseball fans didn’t give up on the sport, But this ‘‘compromise’’ is a sham. H.R. fornia, leaving Kansas City without a Major as voters approved a bond issue to construct 6136: League Baseball team. With a legacy and tra- a new baseball stadium. With the roar and fails to cover Dreamers; dition of the All-American pastime serving as threat of Missouri’s U.S. Senator Stuart Sy- fails to provide a certain path to citizenship; one of the foundational elements of Kansas mington, was forced to claims to ‘‘end’’ Trump’s family separation City, it was essential that they worked quickly ensure that a team would be in Kansas City policy by requiring long-term detention; to fill this void with a new team. Although the no later than 1969. Local entrepreneur Ewing revokes critical protections for detained chil- Major League Baseball owners had approved Kauffman won the contentious bid as the new dren and families; an expansion club for the city, there was a po- team’s owner and joined a local committee to makes deep cuts to legal family immigration; tential for delay. It was the quick action of crown the team as the , in revokes the approvals of over 3 million fam- then-Senator Stuart Symington that threatened recognition of the region’s historic livestock ily members who have been waiting for years Congressional action that would usher in the economy and thriving live- to legally reunify with U.S. citizens; next generation of KC baseball—The Royals. stock show that has a legacy dating back to eliminates important asylum protections; As many of you are aware, Kansas City has the late 19th century. Although Kansas City’s ends the Diversity Visa program, a rich history of contributions to America’s fa- hometown team would not only be based on makes immigrant communities less safe by vorite pastime. Starting as early as 1884, the a hometown history, the design of the team’s forcing cooperation with immigration detainers. Kansas City Cowboys threw the first pitch as logo would be furthermore iconized by an art- At every step, this bill attacks family unity, the first team to rep- ist, Shannon Manning, from another Kansas immigrant communities, and common de- resent the municipality. Although the KC Cow- City original: Hallmark Cards. cency. boys only fielded a team for one season, the The Kansas City Royals were fated for The United States of America is and will al- Kansas City Blues immediately followed as greatness as the new team took the field in ways be the land of opportunity, refuge, and one of the original eight founding members of their new stadium. With the 1969 Rookie of safe haven for all. the American Association, a minor league the Year on the Royal’s side, the The current Administration’s policies of clos- baseball association. This initial Kansas City were destined for defeat. In ing our doors and borders, by forcibly tearing team influenced many ‘‘greats’’ through the a 4–3 win after 12 innings, the Royals truly apart families and eliminating lawful means of league until 1954. Yielding notable alumni earned their crown that night. Furthermore, the entering the United States, are simply inhu- players and managers, one of unique merit team would go on to field some of Major mane. being . League Baseball’s premier players including: H.R. 6136 would act as an overall deterrent Concurrently, in 1920 the Kansas City Mon- five-time allstar and three-time golden glove to immigrants and people around the world archs, one of the initial teams that formed the winner , Hispanic Heritage Baseball finding refuge and opportunity here in the Negro , launched its first Museum’s Hall of Famer and five-time all-star United States. team. As men came home from World War I, Octavio Victor ‘‘Cookie’’ Rojas, twotime all-star The bill would prevent many asylum seekers entrepreneur and former , J.L. Steven Lee ‘‘Buzz’’ Busby, legendary from even applying for asylum, and would Wilkinson, brought together a team of multi-ra- Dorrel Norman Elvert ‘‘Whitey’’ Herzog, and eliminate the Diversity Visa Program, which cial players that eventually became known as many more. has traditionally sent a diverse pool of edu- the KC Monarchs. Claiming 12 league titles In 1980, famed Royal slugger cated immigrants who have contributed to and two Negro titles, the Mon- led the Royals to their first America’s success. archs would commonly lead the league as a Pennant. Finally defeating the Yankees, the Moreover, the bill would needlessly attack major contender. Stars from these Monarch Royals triumphed over a bitter rival that had sanctuary cities and immigrant communities, teams included baseball legends and Hall of defeated them three consecutive seasons in

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