S15222 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 19, 1999 ‘‘Shoeless Joe.’’ In fact, there is an an- Restoring ‘‘Shoeless Joe’’ Jackson’s (5) Not only was Jackson’s performance nual Shoeless Joe Jackson celebration eligibility for the Hall of Fame would during the 1919 World Series unmatched, but and celebrity baseball game in benefit Major League Baseball, base- his accomplishments throughout his 13-year career in professional baseball were out- Dyersville. This year it was attended ball fans, and all Americans who appre- standing as well—he was 1 of only 7 Major by a cast of baseball greats, including ciate a sense of fair play. League Baseball players to ever top the cov- Bob Feller. The resolution we passed today eted mark of a .400 batting average for a sea- Jackson’s career statistics and ac- states that Major League Baseball son, and he earned a lifetime batting average complishments throughout his thirteen should honor Jackson’s accomplish- of .356 the third highest of all time. years in professional baseball clearly ments appropriately. I believe Jackson (6) ‘‘Shoeless Joe’’ Jackson’s career record earn him a place as one of baseball’s should be inducted into the Major clearly makes him one of our Nation’s top baseball players of all time. all-time greats. League Baseball Hall of Fame. (7) Because of his lifetime ban from Major His career batting average of .356 is If that is to happen, Jackson must League Baseball, ‘‘Shoeless Joe’’ Jackson the third highest of all time. In addi- first be cleared for consideration by the has been excluded from consideration for ad- tion, Jackson was one of only seven Hall of Fame Veterans Committee, mission to the Major League Baseball Hall of Major League Baseball players to top which will stand as the jury which de- Fame. the coveted mark of a .400 batting aver- cides whether Jackson’s accomplish- (8) ‘‘Shoeless Joe’’ Jackson passed away in age for a season. Despite all this, in 1951, and 80 years have elapsed since the 1919 ments during his playing career are World Series scandal erupted. 1920 ‘‘Shoeless Joe’’ Jackson was worthy of recognition in the Hall of (9) Recently, Major League Baseball Com- banned from the game of baseball, the Fame. missioner Bud Selig took an important step gamed he loved. He was banned from Mr. President, we are involved in by agreeing to investigate whether ‘‘Shoeless Major League baseball for allegedly many important issues. Clearly, this Joe’’ Jackson was involved in a conspiracy taking part in a conspiracy to throw matter will not and should not take up to alter the outcome of the 1919 World Series the 1919 World Series, in what has be- the same amount of time this body de- and whether he should be eligible for inclu- come known as the ‘‘Black Sox’’ scan- sion in the Major League Baseball Hall of votes to critical issues like health Fame. dal. care, education, or national defense. (10) Courts have exonerated ‘‘Shoeless Joe’’ While ‘‘Shoeless Joe’’ did admit that But, restoring the good name and rep- Jackson, the 1919 World Series box score he received $5,000 from his roommate, utation of a single American is impor- stands as a witness of his record setting play, Lefty Williams, to participate in the tant. This resolution has given us the and 80 years have passed since the scandal fix, evidence suggests that Jackson did opportunity to right an old wrong. It erupted; therefore, Major League Baseball everything in his power to stop the fix has given us the opportunity to honor should appropriately honor the outstanding from going through. He twice tried to baseball accomplishments of Joseph Jeffer- one of the all-time great players of son ‘‘Shoeless Joe’’ Jackson. give the money back. He offered to sit America’s pastime, ‘‘Shoeless Joe’’ (b) SENSE OF THE SENATE.—It is the sense out the World Series in order to avoid Jackson. of the Senate that Joseph Jefferson any appearance of impropriety. And, he I thank my colleagues for supporting ‘‘Shoeless Joe’’ Jackson should be appro- tried to inform White Sox owner this resolution. priately honored for his outstanding baseball accomplishments. Charles Comiskey of the fix. All of AMENDMENT NO. 2800 Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask these efforts fell on deaf ears. (Purpose: To amend certain findings of the Perhaps the most convincing evi- Resolution) unanimous consent that the amend- ment be agreed to. dence of Jackson’s withdrawal from Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, Sen- the conspiracy was his performance on The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ator THURMOND has a substitute at the the field during the series. During the objection, it is so ordered. desk, and I ask for its consideration. The amendment (No. 2800) was agreed 1919 World Series—which he was ac- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cused of conspiring to fix—‘‘Shoeless to. clerk will report. Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask Joe’’ Jackson’s batting average was The legislative clerk read as follows: .375, the highest of any player from ei- unanimous consent that the resolution, The Senator from Maine [Ms. COLLINS], for ther team. He had twelve hits, a World as amended, be agreed to, the motion Mr. THURMOND, proposes an amendment to reconsider be laid upon the table, Series record. He led his team in runs number 2800. scored and runs batted in. And, he hit and that any statements relating to The amendment is as follows: the only home run of the series. On de- this matter be printed in the RECORD. fense, Jackson committed no errors Strike all after the resolving clause and in- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without sert the following: and had no questionable plays in thirty objection, it is so ordered. SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT The resolution (S. Res. 134), as chances. ‘‘SHOELESS JOE’’ JACKSON SHOULD When criminal charges were brought amended, was agreed to. BE RECOGNIZED FOR HIS BASEBALL (The resolution will be printed in a against Jackson in trial, the jury found ACCOMPLISHMENTS. future edition of the RECORD.) him ‘‘not guilty.’’ White Sox owner (a) FINDINGS.—The Senate finds the fol- Charles Comiskey and several sports- lowing: f writers testified that they say no indi- (1) In 1919, the infamous ‘‘Black Sox’’ scan- HONORING ZACHARY FISHER cation that Jackson did anything to in- dal erupted when an employee of a New York gambler allegedly bribed 8 players of the Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask dicate he was trying to throw the se- Chicago White Sox, including Joseph Jeffer- unanimous consent that the Senate ries. But, when the issue came before son ‘‘Shoeless Joe’’ Jackson, to throw the proceed to the immediate consider- the newly-formed Major League Base- 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati ation of H.J. Res. 26. ball Commissioner’s office, Commis- Reds. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The sioner Judge Kenesaw ‘‘Mountain’’ (2) In 1921, a criminal court acquitted clerk will report the joint resolution Landis found Jackson guilty of taking ‘‘Shoeless Joe’’ Jackaon of charges brought by title. part in the fix, and he was banned for against him as a consequence of his partici- The legislative clerk read as follows: pation in the 1919 World Series. life from playing baseball. The Com- (3) Despite the acquitta, Commissioner A joint resolution (H.J. Res. 46) conferring missioner’s office never conducted an Landis banned ‘‘Shoeless Joe’’ Jackson from status as an honorary veteran of the United investigation and never held a hearing, playing Major League Baseball for life with- States Armed Forces on Zachary Fisher. thus denying ‘‘Shoeless Joe’’ Jackson out conducting a hearing, receiving evidence There being no objection, the Senate due process. of Jackson’s alleged activities, or giving Mr. proceeded to consider the joint resolu- Major League Baseball now has the Jackson a forum to rebut the allegations, tion. opportunity to correct a great injus- issuing a summary punishment that fell far Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask tice. I have written to Commissioner short of due process standards. unanimous consent that the joint reso- Bud Selig urging him to take a new (4) During the 1919 World Series, Jackson’s lution be considered read a third time play was outstanding—his batting average look at this case. I was very pleased was .375, the highest of any player from ei- and passed, the motion to reconsider be when the Commissioner responded to ther team; he had 12 hits, setting a World Se- laid upon the table, and that any state- my inquiry by saying he is giving the ries record; he did not commit any errors; ments relating to the bill be printed in case a fair and objective review. and he hit the only home run of the Series. the RECORD. VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:05 Nov 01, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00328 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\1999SENATE\S19NO9.PT2 S19NO9 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY November 19, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S15223 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without while in the Senate, as opposed to other in carrying out programs designed to help objection, it is so ordered. service to the United States. children make the transition from foster The joint resolution (H.J. Res. 46) (c) The Commission is authorized to seek care to self-sufficiency, and for other pur- was read the third time and passed. advice and recommendations from historians poses. and other sources in carrying out this reso- There being no objection, the Senate f lution. proceeded to consider the bill. DIRECTING SENATE COMMISSION SEC. 2. The Commission shall make its se- Ms.