A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the President should posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 91) expressing the sense of Congress that the President should posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Leroy Robert ``Satchel'' Paige.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, Satchel Paige began playing baseball at a time when segregation prevented African American players from participating at the Major League level. He was a powerhouse pitcher for what was called the Negro League, and in 1933 pitched 62 consecutive scoreless innings for his team. With his animated personality, he was the main attraction at games and fans marveled at the famous pitches he creatively coined with names like ``bat dodger'' and ``the hesitation pitch.''

In July of 1948, after segregation in baseball had ended, Satchel Paige signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians. He was 42 years old at the time and he was the oldest rookie in the Major Leagues. The Indians won the American League championship and the World Series that year, thanks in no small part to his pitching talent.

I would add as an addendum, Mr. Speaker, being from Cleveland, Ohio, that is the last time that the Cleveland Indians have won the World Series.

In total, Satchel Paige threw close to 300 career shutouts, and in 1971 he was the first Negro League player inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

He is remembered by his family and friends not just as a baseball player who made history, but as a man who was full of warmth, full of energy and quick to make people laugh. Satchel Paige's contributions to the sport of baseball and United States culture are undoubtedly exceptional, and I am happy to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of myself,

and Senators DeWine and Sessions, to submit a resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the President posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Leroy Robert ``Satchel'' Paige in recognition of his amazing talent and contributions to baseball, our national pastime.

Satchel Paige was born in Mobile, AL, on July 7, 1906, and has been described as one of the greatest baseball pitchers of all time. In 1933, for example, he pitched 62 consecutive scoreless innings. He won four consecutive Negro League pennants from 1939 to 1942, and a fifth pennant in 1946. Although Paige spent most of his career in the Negro Leagues due to racial segregation, his reputation as an amazing pitcher was known to both Black and White audiences.

In 1948, a year after Jackie Robinson integrated major league baseball, Paige was signed to play with the Cleveland Indians, becoming the oldest rookie at age 42 to play at the Major League level.

On August 20, 1948, as Paige pitched the Indians to a 1-0 victory over the White Sox, the night game's attendance, 78,382, set a record that still stands today. The Cleveland Indians went on to win the American League Championship and the World Series in 1948.

In his career, Paige threw an estimated 300 career shutouts. In 1971, he became the first Negro League player inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. As one of the greatest players of the 20th century, he was nominated to the All Century Team by Major League Baseball, and was selected by the Postal Service as one of the 50 Legends of Baseball.

Satchel Paige passed away on June 8, 1982, but his talent and electric style of play are still remembered by baseball fans today.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, it is believed that Leroy ``Satchel'' Paige was born on July 7, 1905. In 1965, 60 years after Page's estimated birth, he took the mound for the last time and threw three shutout innings for the Kansas City Athletics.

Paige's pitching was amazing and his showboating was legendary. Joe DiMaggio called Paige ``the best and fastest pitcher I have ever faced.'' His career highlights spanned five decades. Pronounced the greatest pitcher in the history of the Negro Leagues, Paige compiled such feats as 64 consecutive scoreless innings, a stretch of 21 straight wins, and a 31-4 record in 1933. For 22 years, Paige mauled the competition in front of sellout crowds. His goal was to pitch in the Major Leagues.

In 1948, Paige's dream came true. The Cleveland Indians were in need of extra pitching for the pennant race. Paige stepped to the mound and helped the Indians win. He also played for St. Louis and Kansas City.

When Paige's Major League career was completed, he compiled a modest 28-31 record with a 3.29 earned run average. He also served as a coach for the Atlanta Braves in 1968. In 1971, Paige was given the ultimate honor. He was elected to join the very best in baseball history by being elected to the Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to support S. Con. Res. 91.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Con. Res. 91 and that the Senate then proceed to its consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table, that any statements be printed in the Record.