Jackie Robinson Awarded Congressional Gold Medal
Kevin Agnese
Issue date: 3/9/05 Section: Perspectives
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Jackie Robinson was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C on 2 March. Robinson received the medal posthumously due to his efforts towards ending segregation in Major League Baseball.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor Congress can bestow on a civilian, and must be co-sponsored by two-thirds of members in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Only about 300 men and women have received the medal so far. Robinson joins baseball player Roberto Clemente, runner Jesse Owens, and boxer Joe Louis as the only athletes to receive the award.
Rachel Robinson, his widowed wife said, "This medal confirms what we know. Jackie Robinson stands as a heroic role model for all Americans who believe in justice and equality."
The legislation honoring Robinson was sponsored by Sen. John Kerry and Rep. Richard Neal, both of Massachusetts. His nomination signals Robinson's place as a symbol of heroism, leadership, and morality to American culture.
Born in Georgia in 1919 to a family of sharecroppers, Jack Roosevelt Robinson was one of five children. Raised in Pasadena, California by his mother Mallie, Jackie Robinson exceledl in athletics. As the only black family on their block, the prejudice encountered by the Robinson's only strengthened their bond, and increased Jackie's knowledge of the problems of civil rights and equality during his time. His intelligence and athletic skill led Robinson to University of California at Los Angeles, where he played four sports for the school.
Astonishingly, Robinson's athletic ability made him excel at even his self-considered "best" sport at the school, which was baseball. He was also an All-American football player, a national champion track and field athlete, and the highest scorer in the Pacific Coast Conference in basketball. He became the first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports.
Due to financial difficulties, Robinson was forced to leave college after two years, and decided to enlist in the U.S. Army. After two years in the army, he progressed to Second Lieutenant. Jackie's career in the Army was cut short when he was court-martialed for his refusal to sit in the back of a bus in Texas in 1944, a charge he was later acquitted of. Jackie left the Army with an Honorable Discharge, and focused his attention on baseball.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor Congress can bestow on a civilian, and must be co-sponsored by two-thirds of members in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Only about 300 men and women have received the medal so far. Robinson joins baseball player Roberto Clemente, runner Jesse Owens, and boxer Joe Louis as the only athletes to receive the award.
Rachel Robinson, his widowed wife said, "This medal confirms what we know. Jackie Robinson stands as a heroic role model for all Americans who believe in justice and equality."
The legislation honoring Robinson was sponsored by Sen. John Kerry and Rep. Richard Neal, both of Massachusetts. His nomination signals Robinson's place as a symbol of heroism, leadership, and morality to American culture.
Born in Georgia in 1919 to a family of sharecroppers, Jack Roosevelt Robinson was one of five children. Raised in Pasadena, California by his mother Mallie, Jackie Robinson exceledl in athletics. As the only black family on their block, the prejudice encountered by the Robinson's only strengthened their bond, and increased Jackie's knowledge of the problems of civil rights and equality during his time. His intelligence and athletic skill led Robinson to University of California at Los Angeles, where he played four sports for the school.
Astonishingly, Robinson's athletic ability made him excel at even his self-considered "best" sport at the school, which was baseball. He was also an All-American football player, a national champion track and field athlete, and the highest scorer in the Pacific Coast Conference in basketball. He became the first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports.
Due to financial difficulties, Robinson was forced to leave college after two years, and decided to enlist in the U.S. Army. After two years in the army, he progressed to Second Lieutenant. Jackie's career in the Army was cut short when he was court-martialed for his refusal to sit in the back of a bus in Texas in 1944, a charge he was later acquitted of. Jackie left the Army with an Honorable Discharge, and focused his attention on baseball.