Senator Marco Rubio | Official U.S. House headshot
Senator Marco Rubio | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) have introduced the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Commemorative Site Act, alongside their colleagues, to honor the legacy of Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball. The bill aims to designate the Daytona Beach ballpark where Robinson played his first minor league game as a National Commemorative Site.
Rubio expressed the significance of honoring Robinson by stating, “Jackie Robinson wasn’t just a phenomenal baseball player; he was a trailblazer who broke barriers both on and off the field.” He emphasized the impact Robinson had on both the sport and the nation as a whole.
Warnock, highlighting Robinson's contributions, said, “Jackie Robinson was a Hall of Fame baseball player and civil rights icon who helped move America’s favorite pastime forward and helped change the trajectory of our country with his talent, courage, and resilience.” He expressed pride in co-leading the bill to memorialize Robinson for future generations.
The legislation has garnered bipartisan support, with Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Rick Scott (R-FL) serving as original cosponsors. In the House, Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL) and Darren Soto (D-FL) have introduced companion legislation.
Waltz emphasized the historical significance of the Daytona Beach ballpark, stating, “Jackie Robinson changed the course of history forever in Daytona Beach... We must preserve and honor Jackie Robinson’s legacy and the impact he had in Daytona Beach and across America.”
Congressman Soto echoed the sentiment, expressing his enthusiasm for honoring Robinson's legacy by designating the ballpark as a National Commemorative Site. He emphasized Robinson's lasting impact on baseball and the broader movement for social change.
The introduction of the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Commemorative Site Act seeks to ensure that the site where Robinson made history continues to be recognized and celebrated for generations to come.
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