H.R. No. 3058
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of one of professional baseball's legendary
players drew to a close with the passing of Ernie Banks on January
23, 2015, at the age of 83; and
WHEREAS, Born in Dallas on January 31, 1931, to Eddie and
Essie Banks, Ernie Banks grew up on Fairmount Street with his 11
brothers and sisters; he attended Booker T. Washington High School
and spent his summers playing for a semipro baseball team based out
of Amarillo before his graduation in 1950; he subsequently began
his professional career with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro
National League, playing one season with the team before serving
his country for two years as a member of the U.S. Army; he rejoined
the Monarchs after completing his military service, and in 1953 he
made his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs, becoming the
first African American player to take the field for the franchise;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Banks quickly proved himself an athlete of rare
ability, becoming the Cubs' everyday shortstop in his second year
with the team and setting major-league records for grand slams in a
season and home runs by a shortstop in 1955; he enjoyed his most
impressive campaign in 1958, compiling a .313 batting average, 47
home runs, and a league-leading 129 runs batted in to win the
National League Most Valuable Player award; the following year, he
became the first National League player in history to capture
consecutive MVP awards, hitting 45 homers and once again leading
the league in RBIs with 143; acknowledged for his defensive skills
as well, he led the league in fielding percentage on three occasions
from his spot at shortstop and was named a Gold Glove Award winner
in 1960; he switched to first base in 1962, logging nine successful
seasons at that position before his retirement in 1971 after 19
years with the Cubs; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his career, Mr. Banks tallied a
lifetime batting average of .274 to go along with 2,583 hits and
1,636 runs batted in; he was the first shortstop to join the
500-home run club, and he retired with 512 career home runs; his
myriad achievements also included 11 trips to the All-Star Game and
a selection to Major League Baseball's prestigious All-Century Team
in 1999; moreover, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of
Fame in 1977 in his first year of eligibility, and he was awarded
the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of
Freedom, in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Forever known as "Mr. Cub," this esteemed
ballplayer was popular for his positive personality and his passion
for the game; in addition, his favorite saying, "It's a beautiful
day for a ballgame--let's play two!" remains one of the game's most
popular quotes; and
WHEREAS, During his two decades in Major League Baseball,
Ernie Banks captured the imagination of Cubs fans as well as
baseball enthusiasts across the nation, and his achievements will
be remembered and celebrated long into the future; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Ernie Banks and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it so in memory of Ernie Banks.
Johnson
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 3058 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 30, 2015.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House