S204 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 28, 2021 laundering, military and civilian security on his first swing of the sea- vote, the second-highest tally at the time professionalization, and criminal justice ca- son; only to Ty Cobb; pabilities; Whereas, on the evening of April 8, 1974, Whereas, on the 25th anniversary of Mr. (C) the return of the United States Agency Mr. Aaron made history by breaking Babe Aaron’s 715th , Major League Base- for International Development and the ex- Ruth’s record when he home run number ball created the Award, given tension of the Peace Corps Program in Ecua- 715 against the at At- annually to the players with the best overall dor; lanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, offensive performances in each league; (D) continued United States assistance for Georgia, cementing his place in history as Whereas, in 2002, Mr. Aaron received the Ecuador’s response to combat the COVID–19 the Nation’s home run king; Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s pandemic; Whereas, during the historic moment, vet- highest civilian award, from President (E) closer ties between Americans and eran broadcaster Vin Scully an- George W. Bush, with the citation noting Ecuadoreans through English language nounced, ‘‘What a marvelous moment for that Mr. Aaron ‘‘embodies the true spirit of learning and teaching programs that foster baseball. What a marvelous moment for At- our Nation’’; and greater professional and educational oppor- lanta and the State of Georgia. What a mar- Whereas at the time of his passing, Mr. tunities; velous moment for the country and the Aaron was long renowned for having uplifted (F) continued efforts to protect freedom of world. A Black man is getting a standing the Black community and improved human expression and freedom of the press; and ovation in the Deep South for breaking a relations over his career through his tremen- (G) continued efforts to ensure that the record of an all-time baseball idol.’’; dous display of dignity and long record of rights of refugees and asylum seekers are Whereas Mr. Aaron went on to hit 755 home achievement in the face of racism and hate, protected. runs in his career, a home run record that cementing his legacy as a leading figure for went unbroken for more than 30 years, with civil rights: Now, therefore, be it f his final home run coming on July 20, 1976; Resolved, That the Senate— (1) honors the life and legacy of Henry SENATE RESOLUTION 23—HON- Whereas, at the time of his passing, Mr. Aaron held the Louis Aaron for his accomplishments on and ORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY records for the most career runs batted in off the baseball field, and for defying racism OF HENRY LOUIS AARON (2,297), extra base hits (1,477), and total bases and breaking down racial barriers in the (6,856); fight for equality as one of the last Major Mr. WARNOCK (for himself, Mr. League Baseball All-Stars to have played in OSSOFF, Mr. SHELBY, and Mr. Whereas, at the time of his passing, Mr. Aaron was 1 of only 4 players to have at least the Negro leagues; TUBERVILLE) submitted the following (2) proclaims that Henry Louis Aaron in- 17 seasons with 150 or more hits, was in sec- deed embodied the true spirit and promise of resolution; which was referred to the ond place for most in home runs and at-bats our Nation, reflected the best of the deter- Committee on the Judiciary: (12,364), and was in third place for most mination and perseverance of the people of S. RES. 23 games played (3,298) and hits (3,771); the United States, and exemplified the in- Whereas, in addition to his records, Mr. Whereas Henry Louis ‘‘Hank’’ Aaron was domitable will of Black Americans to over- Aaron achieved numerous career highlights born 1 of 8 children on February 5, 1934, to come impossible odds to achieve greatness in and awards, including— Herbert Aaron Sr. and Estella (Pritchett) the face of relentless adversity and racism; Aaron in Mobile, Alabama; (1) becoming the ninth player to achieve and Whereas Mr. Aaron grew up during the the 3,000 hit milestone and the first player to (3) recognizes the life and legacy of Henry height of Jim Crow and segregation and achieve both 500 home runs and 3,000 hits; Louis Aaron as an important figure in the faced racism and discrimination from a (2) being a 2-time batting fight for civil rights, as well as one of the young age, including from the stands while champion; greatest and most prolific baseball players playing in the South as a minor league base- (3) winning the National League’s single- and professional athletes of the United ball player early in his baseball career; season home run title 4 times; States, of all time. Whereas Mr. Aaron began his baseball ca- (4) achieving a career batting average of f reer as a teenager in the Negro leagues, first .305; playing for the Prichard Athletics, then the (5) being voted an All-Star in all but his SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLU- Mobile Black Bears, before being signed by first and last seasons; and TION 4—AFFIRMING THE IMPOR- the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Amer- (6) winning 3 Gold Glove awards for his TANCE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ican League; play as a right fielder; AS A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN Whereas, in 1952, Mr. Aaron was signed by Whereas Mr. Aaron achieved these mile- the Boston Braves, who assigned him to play stones while bravely facing racism at every RIGHT THAT IS ESSENTIAL TO A in the minor league for their Northern stage of his historic career, including being FREE SOCIETY AND PROTECTED League farm team, the Eau Claire Bears, barred from hotels where his minor league FOR ALL PEOPLE OF THE where he made the Northern League’s All- white teammates stayed, receiving many UNITED STATES UNDER THE Star team and was unanimously named racist letters and threats, and even needing CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED Rookie of the Year; protection from law enforcement at games STATES, AND RECOGNIZING THE Whereas, in 1953, Mr. Aaron was promoted to protect against racist violence or harass- 235TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EN- to play for the South Atlantic League affil- ment; ACTMENT OF THE VIRGINIA iate of the Braves, the , Whereas during his career Mr. Aaron be- as one of the league’s first Black players, came a national symbol for perseverance by STATUTE FOR RELIGIOUS FREE- where he immediately helped the team win demonstrating athletic greatness and DOM the league championship and won the South strength while enduring vicious racism and Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mr. Atlantic League’s Most Valuable Player hate, helping advance the cause for civil LANKFORD, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. RISCH, Mr. Award; rights and becoming a civic leader in the INHOFE, Mr. HOEVEN, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. Whereas, in 1954, Mr. Aaron was invited to Black community. HAWLEY, Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, Mr. TILLIS, attend spring training with the Milwaukee Whereas Mr. Aaron became the first Black Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina, Mr. COT- Braves and signed his first Major League American to hold a senior management posi- Baseball contract on the final day of Braves tion in Major League Baseball as a front of- TON, Mr. BRAUN, Mrs. BLACKBURN, and spring training, making his Major League fice executive with the , sup- Mr. ROUNDS) submitted the following Baseball debut against the Cincinnati Reds ported the National Association for the Ad- concurrent resolution; which was re- and hitting his first Major League Baseball vancement of Colored People (‘‘NAACP’’), ferred to the Committee on the Judici- home run on April 23, 1954; and founded the Chasing the Dream Founda- ary: Whereas Mr. Aaron won his first batting tion to support underprivileged youth S. CON. RES. 4 title in 1956 and was voted the National through mentorship and financial support; Whereas the democracy of the United League’s Most Valuable Player in 1957, help- Whereas, in April 1977, the Atlanta Braves States is rooted in the fundamental truth ing the Braves win their first pennant in Mil- retired Mr. Aaron’s Number 44, erected a that all people are created equal, endowed by waukee and leading the Braves to a 1957 statue in his honor in 1982, and named the the Creator with certain inalienable rights, victory against the New York address of their second home, Turner Field, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of Yankees; as 755 Hank Aaron Drive; happiness; Whereas, in 1966, Mr. Aaron moved with Whereas Mr. Aaron is an integral part of Whereas the freedom of conscience was the Braves to Atlanta, Georgia and went on Mobile, Alabama history and has been recog- highly valued by— to play 23 seasons in Major League Baseball, nized by the city through the construction of (1) individuals seeking religious freedom all but his final 2 seasons with the Braves in a stadium, opening of a museum, and naming who settled in the colonies in the United Milwaukee and then Atlanta; of a park, in his honor; States; Whereas, on April 4, 1974, Mr. Aaron tied Whereas, in 1982, his first year of eligi- (2) the founders of the United States; and ’s home run record by hitting bility, Mr. Aaron was elected to the Baseball (3) Thomas Jefferson, who wrote in a letter home run number 714 in a game against the Hall of Fame, receiving 97.8 percent of the to the Society of the Methodist Episcopal

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