John Conyers: “50 years ago today, Jackie Robinson played first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers. It was the first time that a black…”

“50 years ago today, Jackie Robinson played first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers. It was the first time that a black baseball player took the field with a major league baseball team in the modern era. Although he did not get a hit in four trips to the plate, he did score the game's winning run. But most importantly, Jackie Robinson paved the way for thousands of athletes to follow and gave dignity to millions of African-Americans as they struggled in a society where segregation was institutionalized in its laws and customs. Robinson did more than just break the color barrier in major league baseball. He excelled at, and helped redefine, the sport. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1947 and had a lifetime batting average of .311. Although he played only 10 seasons, he hit 137 home runs, drove in 734 runs, and stole 197 bases. In 1949, he was named the league's Most Valuable Player, and beginning in 1949, he was elected to six consecutive all star teams. And what makes Jackie Robinson's baseball accomplishments all the more remarkable is the fact that many inside and outside of baseball tried their best to ensure Robinson's failure. Pitchers threw at him, runners spiked him, and opposing teams shouted racial taunts at him. Crowds booed him and sportswriters vilified him. But all of this only strengthened Robinson's resolve to prove himself on the playing field. And prove himself he did.”