[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 235 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
H.Con.Res.235
Agreed to September 17, 2003
One Hundred Eighth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the seventh day of January, two thousand and three
Concurrent Resolution
Whereas on December 12, 1923, Larry Doby was born in Camden, South
Carolina and moved to Paterson, New Jersey in 1938, where he became a
standout 4 sport athlete at Paterson Eastside High School;
Whereas Larry Doby attended Long Island University on a basketball
scholarship before enlisting in the United States Navy;
Whereas in 1943, Larry Doby was the first African American to play
professional basketball for the Paterson Panthers, a member of the
American Basketball League;
Whereas after playing baseball in the Negro League for the Newark
Eagles, Larry Doby's contract was purchased by Bill Veeck of Major
League Baseball's Cleveland Indians, a member of the American League,
on July 3, 1947;
Whereas on July 5, 1947, Larry Doby became the first African American
to play professional baseball in the American League;
Whereas Larry Doby played in the American League for 13 years,
appearing in 1,533 games and batting .283, with 253 home runs and 969
runs batted in;
Whereas in 1948, Larry Doby was the first African American to win a
World Series and the first African American to hit a home run in the
World Series;
Whereas Larry Doby was voted to play in 7 All Star games and led the
American League in home runs for two seasons;
Whereas in 1978, Larry Doby became the manager of the Chicago White
Sox, only the second African American manager of a Major League team;
Whereas Larry Doby was the Director of Community Relations for the
National Basketball Association's New Jersey Nets, where he was
deeply involved in a number of inner-city youth programs;
Whereas Larry Doby resided, was active in the community, and raised his
family in Montclair, New Jersey;
Whereas Larry Doby received honorary doctorate degrees from Princeton
University, Long Island University and Fairfield University; and
Whereas Larry Doby was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in
1998: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That the Congress--
(1) expresses profound sorrow on the death of Lawrence Eugene
``Larry'' Doby, and extends condolences to his family;
(2) expresses its deep appreciation to Larry Doby and his
family for the impact that he made in pioneering civil rights by
breaking down racial barriers in baseball and in America; and
(3) commends Larry Doby as a courageous leader, a role model,
and a paradigm of the American Dream.
Attest:
Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Attest:
Secretary of the Senate.