Edolphus Towns: “today I am proud to rise and pay tribute to a great man who not only contributed to the sport of baseball, but one who…”

“today I am proud to rise and pay tribute to a great man who not only contributed to the sport of baseball, but one who contributed to all of humanity. In both instances, the late great Jackie Robinson prevailed and taught the world an important lesson; if given the opportunity any man can excel to the greatest heights. Jackie Robinson was many things to many people. As father, husband, writer, political activist, military man, and of course, baseball player; Jackie did it all with ease, dignity, and respect. Jackie not only challenged the gentleman's agreement of segregated baseball, but he also won a court-martial case for refusing to sit in the colored section of an army bus when he was transferred to Camp Breckenridge in Kentucky where he later received an honorary discharge. The love of his country kept Jackie determined to be the best that he could be. In 1947, he signed for $5,000 to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team where he led the National League with 20 stolen bases. As we celebrate this great man, I personally had the opportunity to witness the unveiling of a roadside sign renaming the Interborough Parkway in my congressional district, the Jackie Robinson Parkway in honor of the 50th anniversary of his first major league game.”