Bush Awards Honor to Jackie Robinson
Wednesday October 29, 2003

WASHINGTON - President Bush signed legislation Wednesday awarding Congress' highest honor to Hall of Fame baseball player Jackie Robinson more than half a century after the former Brooklyn Dodger broke major league baseball's color barrier.

Here's the origin of the above story:

SENATE VOTES UNANIMOUSLY TO AWARD JACKIE ROBINSON THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL

Legislation introduced by Senators Kerry and McCain now goes to President’s desk

Friday, October 17, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Senate today passed legislation posthumously awarding baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson with the Congressional Gold Medal. The bill (S. 300), sponsored by Senator John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) and cosponsored by Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) was approved unanimously this afternoon.

In a speech delivered from the Senate floor, Kerry stated: “Jackie Robinson once said that, ‘a life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives.’ Jackie Robinson not only impacted lives, he impacted the very spirit of our country. He was more than a sports hero -- he was an American hero."

“And it is time for Congress to recognize his heroic contributions to the nation by awarding him the Congressional Gold Medal. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest expression of Congressional appreciation and has been bestowed on great citizens like George Washington, Winston Churchill and Rosa Parks. I cannot think of a more deserving person to join this distinguished group than Jackie Robinson. "

“I would like to extend special thanks to Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig for his leadership on this very important issue.”