HOUSE RESOLUTION No. 6019
A RESOLUTION recognizing April 15, 2025, as Jackie Robinson Day.
WHEREAS, On April 15, 1947, Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson became the first African
American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) when he started at first base for the
Brooklyn Dodgers; and
WHEREAS, Jackie Robinson was known as an incredible four-sport athlete, playing
football, basketball, track and baseball at the University of California, Los Angeles, and for his
influence and contributions to the Civil Rights movement; and
WHEREAS, After his college career, Jackie Robinson was drafted into the Army and
attended Candidate School in Kansas at Fort Riley where he was commissioned as a second
lieutenant with the 1
st
Infantry Division ("Big Red 1"). In 1944, he was honorably discharged
from the Army after refusing to move to the back of a segregated Army bus; and
WHEREAS, In 1944, he became the shortstop for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro
American League but was recruited by the Brooklyn Dodgers the following year as the first
African American to play with its farm team, the Montreal Royals; and
WHEREAS, During his nine-year career as a Dodger, Jackie Robinson received the Rookie
of the Year Award in 1947, the Most Valuable Player Award in 1949, helped the team win their
first World Series Championship in 1955 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in
1962; and
WHEREAS, Beyond the diamond, Jackie Robinson used his celebrity status to expand
human rights, including improving working conditions as the Vice President for Personnel at
Chock Full O'Nuts, speaking at the 1963 March on Washington civil rights rally and being a
co-founder of a Black-owned and operated bank and construction company to financially aid
the Black community and provide housing for low-income people; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, MLB formally retired his uniform number, 42, across all Major
League teams, which was the first time any professional athlete in any sport received such an
honor. Today, MLB has adopted the annual tradition of "Jackie Robinson Day" on April 15
where every player wears the number 42 to honor Jackie Robinson's achievements on and off
the field: Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Kansas: That we recognize
April 15, 2025, as Jackie Robinson Day; and
Be it further resolved: That we honor Jackie Robinson for his accomplishments in baseball,
the United States Army and in furthering civil rights across the country.
House Resolution No. 6019 was sponsored by Representatives Daniel Hawkins and Patrick
Penn.
I hereby certify that the above RESOLUTION originated in the HOUSE, and was adopted by that
body
Speaker of the House.
Chief Clerk of the House.