UNITED STATES OF AMERICA <iongrcssional1Rccord d PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 93 CONGRESS SECOND SESSION VOLUME 120-PART 8 APRIL 4, 1974 TO APRIL 11, 1974 (PAGES 9705 TO 11148) UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON, 1974 April 9, 1974 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE 10303 Aaron, one of eight chlldren, spent his tion as an adult, A scholarship fund has been tions presented to these women be chlldhood in Moblle, developing a love for established in his name to provide money printed in the RECORD. baseball that has evolved into fame and for the needy who otherwise might be forced Miss Katheline Hepburn, who was un­ fortune. to drop out of high school. "He 'Was always crazy about playing base­ Aaron began playing for the mack BelU"s able to attend the ceremony. received a ball, but I'd never thought about him becom­ during his junior year in high schooL In the symbolic sunburst emblem for her dis­ Ing a player untU the Brooklyn Dodgers came final game, he was impressive in a battle tinguished accomplishments in the crea­ to Moblle for an exhibition game when against the Indianapolis Clowns, who offered tive arts. Henry was about 11," recalls his father, him a contract the folloWing spring for $200 There being no objection, the list was Herbert, a retired boat dock worker. a month. ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as "I took him to see the game and he told Severnlyears before that, Aaron had follows: me that nIght at the ball park, "I'm gOing to drifted onto the field during a Brooklyn Dodger tryout camp at Mobile. Dodger per­ CITATIONS Fall THE WOMEN OF THE YEAR 1974 be in the big leagues myself Daddy before AWARD Jackie Robinson is through playing.''' sonnel took one look at the skinny youngster Robinson who broke the color barrier in and told him to go back home Martha W. GriJllths-publlc affairs: For major league baseball, was Aaron's boyhood Ed SCott, a scout, signed Aaron to a con­ Congressional leadership in the struggle for idol, much as Aaron has become the idol of tract with the Clowns on Nov. 20, 1951. The equal rights for women and <:omprehenslve millions of young blacks today. slugger's mother had sent him on his way health-care for all. "I saw Babe Ruth play myself when I was With a battered SUitcase, two dollars in his Dixie Lee Ray--science and research: For a kid in Moblle," the elder Aaron said, "but pocket and two sandwiches to eat along the dedication as scientist, commUnicator, ad­ until a couple of years ago I never dreamed ",ray. ministrator in the application of nuclear I'd havil a son who might break Ruth's Aaron had hits In his first two appe:lJ'­ energy and general science in serving human record." ances with the Clowns and soon drew the needs. Hammerin' Hank says he doesn't recall attention of Braves' scout Dewey Griggs, who Barbara. McDonald-communlty service: when he lirstheard of Ruth, the legendary eventually sIgned Hank for $350 a month For sensitivity to the unique problems of figure with flamboyant life style, totally un­ plus a $10,000 payoff to Clowns' owner Syd the Rosebud Sioux lndia.ns in developing a like that of the quiet 40-year-old Atlanta Pollack. community runbelingual, bicultural early Braves'.superstar. The Braves almost lost him to the then childhood education program, ."I, know I never remember hearing the New York Giants. Pollaclc, a friend of Braves Dorothy I. Height-human rights: For a name Babe Ruth as a youngster," Aaron farm director John MUllen, advised the clc.b lifetime of inspiring leadership in develop­ recalled. official early in the 1952 season he had a ing innovative, Meaningful aP!Jroaches to "He used to hit pop tops with a mop 17-year-old shortstop hitting over .400. Mul­ fight racial and human injustice. handle for hours;' said Henry's father, "You len and Pollack reached a gentlE'men's agree­ Barbara Walter~ommunications: For know the other kids would do the pitching. ment on the purchase of Aaron later in the achievements in reporting and broadcast Henry always wanted to keep the bat. I re­ season. journalism and for concerned investigation member be got in trouble once. In fact, he However, the Braves aimost let him slip of public issues explored on national tele­ got a ,good whipping for cutting his mother's away as time elap~ed. The Giants made an vision. new mop." offer one day and Mullen happened to telp.­ Billy Jean King-sports: For accomplish­ Man, of Aaron's pop top games took place phone Pollack the same day. When he ments as an cutstancling tennis player and outside MitcheUFleld in Mobile, where he learned of the Giant offer, Mullen reminded elIective crusader for equal opportunities for actually launched his career as a teenager Pollack of the elU"lier agreement and bet­ women in sports. with the Mobile Black Bears, a semi-pro tered the New York deal. Patricia Roberts Harris-bUsiness and pro­ outfit. Aaron was assigned to E"u Claire, Wis., in fessions: For her professional work as a "We used to 'Soak old rags in kerosene and June, 1952. He played in 87 games that year. lawyer in dealing with human and civil use them for lights When we played at hit .336 and was voted the Northern L.eague's rights and for pioneering in business at the night," Aaron said. "I started out hitting outstanding rookie. top board level. cross-handed with a broom handle. If I re­ The Braves dispatched Billy Southworth gret anything in baseball, it's that I didn't to Eau Claire to scout Aaron and the former step across the plate and bat left-handed. It big league manager filed a glowing renort­ would have been easier, and I would have "for a baby face kid of 18 years, his playing WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD been a step closer to first base." ability is outstanding." Mr. MONDALE. Mr. President, I am Aaron's. father played a little amateur Aaron moved up to the Class A South At­ pleased to take this occasion to call at­ baseball and managed the neighborhood lantic League in 1953, playing for the Jack­ team that eventually became the Black Bears. sonville Tars where he hit .362 and belted tention to the commemoration of the It.was natural that the Aaron .sons would 22 home runs. Week of the Young Child last week, play the game, but only two, Hank and He led the team to the league title and was March 31 through April 6. Activities and Tommie, chose It as a career. Tommie, a named its most valuable player. observances were planned by concerned younger brother, spent several seasons with He credits to this day his Jacksonville groups, under the leadership of the Na­ the Braves and was the first major leaguer manager, Ben Geraghty, with having one of tional Association for the Education of to hit a home run in Atlanta Stadium. It the greatest infiuences on his baseball career. Young Children, to focus publIc attention came In an exhibition game. He now man­ He played second base with the Tars and was ages Atlanta's Class AA farm team at converted to the outfield the following off­ and awareness on the rights and needs Savannah. season. of the young. Herbert, an older brother, played baseball Aaron reported to the Braves' training My Subcommittee on Children and before.enter.Ing military service but didn't camp the next spring, ready to play for the Youth has begun a series of hearings on continue later. Another younger brother, club's Class AA team in Atlanta. But a frac­ American familles and the pressures they James, played in high school, a fifth Aaron tured ankle to Bobby Thomson changed face. There is nothing more impOrtant son died of pneumonia at an early age. those plans and launched the Hammer on a to a child. than a healthy family, and Hank also has three sisters, Sarab Jones, two-decade era of consistency in the majors. Gioria Robinson and Alfredia SCOtt. these hearmgs have stressed the need for Hank, not an ideal pupil, attended Mobile's a national commitment to make services Central lIlgh School through his junior year available, on a voluntary basis, that will when he desired to begin a baseball career. LADIES' HOME JOURNAL WOMEN OF help families enrich and protect the lives However, his parents insisted he first get a THE YEAR AWARDS of their children. high school diploma and Hammerin' Hank .Mr. JAVITS. Mr. President, last eve­ As author of the Child Abuse Preven­ graduated from the Josephine Allen Institute in 1951. nmg seven distinguished Americans-­ tion and Treatment Act, which was There have been reports that he was a star women recognized as leading figures in signed into law this year, and the Sudden halfback in hIgh school, but that actually their fields-were honored as recipients Infant Death Syndrome Act passed by was Tommie, an outstanding prospect who of the second annual Ladies Home the Senate, I am gratified that Congress turned down a football scholarship to attend Journal Women of the Year Awards. has shown its concern for the well-being college .In Florida. Selected by a process representing both of children. However, the need for qual­ .Aa.roD oftellp1ayed hookey from Central, popular and specialized opinion, these ity care and education of our Nation's strolling into a pool room where he listened seven women serve as an inspiration to young is still great, a need which I em­ to major league games.