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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 5, 2023 10:34 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tim Brennan and Rep. G. Roni Green, Rep. Tarik Khan, Rep. Darisha K. Parker, Rep. Jamie L. Flick, Rep. Nick Pisciottano |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Recognizing November 19, 2023, as “Roy Campanella Day” |
| Roy Campanella was an American baseball player who, as a catcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers, was among the first Black players in Major League Baseball. Born in Philadelphia to a Black mother and a father of Sicilian descent, Campanella played in both the Mexican League and Negro National League. In 1946, Campanella and Don Newcombe played together for the Nashua Dodgers, a Minor League affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers, making this team the first integrated affiliated baseball team in the United States. Campanella went on to play in the major leagues and lead the Dodgers to their 1955 World Series win. While an unfortunate traffic accident left him paralyzed from the chest down and ended his baseball career, Campanella found his “second life,” serving as an inspiration to all people, those with disability and those without. With the same perseverance, tenacity, and character that made him an exceptional ball player, he never gave up and against the odds he regained use of his arms and became a symbol of dignity, hope, and perseverance for all. He also continued to coach and contribute to the Dodgers team. Campanella and his wife Roxie founded the Roy and Roxie Campanella Physical Therapy Scholarship Foundation, which provides support for those living with paraplegia and funds scholarships for students who pursue degrees in physical therapy. Campanella was one of the first players to open the door to integrated baseball, overcoming prejudice during a changing era in baseball history and inspiring future generations. Considered one of the greatest catchers in the history of professional baseball, Campanella was an eight-time All Star, three-time National League Most Valuable Player, and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969. Despite his accomplishments, Campanella does not have any baseball fields, playgrounds, schools, or streets named after him in his hometown of Philadelphia. To commemorate Campanella and his contributions, we will be introducing a resolution recognizing November 19, 2023—Campanella’s birthday and the year of the seventy-fifth anniversary of his major league debut—as “Roy Campanella Day” in Pennsylvania. Please join us in co-sponsoring this resolution to commemorate and honor the inspiring life of Roy Campanella. |
Introduced as HR153