BILL ANALYSIS Ó
HR 24
Page 1
Date of Hearing: September 9, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
K.H. "Katcho" Achadjian, Chair
HR 24 (Bradford) - As Introduced: August 14, 2013
SUBJECT : Hall of Fame Baseball Player Jackie Robinson.
SUMMARY : Resolves that the California State Assembly urges the
Cities of Los Angeles, Inglewood, Downey, South Gate, and
Norwalk, and the County of Los Angeles to work together to
rename Manchester Avenue and Firestone Boulevard (formerly State
Route 42) after the Hall of Fame baseball player Jackie
Robinson. Specifically, this resolution :
1)Makes a number of findings about the life of Hall of Fame
baseball player Jackie Robinson, his service in the United
States Army, his athletic successes, and his contributions as
a vocal champion for African American athletes, civil rights,
and other social and political causes, and his triumphs in
putting prejudice and racial strife aside; and,
2)Resolves, by the Assembly of the State of California, that the
Assembly urges the Cities of Los Angeles, Inglewood, Downey,
South Gate, and Norwalk, and the County of Los Angeles to work
together to rename Manchester Avenue and Firestone Boulevard
(formerly State Route 42) after the Hall of Fame baseball
player Jackie Robinson.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS :
1)The author notes that "the purpose of HR 24 is to urge the
cities of Los Angeles, Inglewood, Downey, South Gate, Norwalk,
and the County of Los Angeles to work together to rename
Manchester Avenue and Firestone Boulevard (formerly State
Route 42) after the Hall of Fame baseball player, Jackie
Robinson." This resolution is author-sponsored.
2)Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson (January 31, 1919 - October
24, 1972) was an American baseball player who became the first
African American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the
modern era. As the first major league team to play an African
American since the 1880s, the Dodgers ended racial segregation
HR 24
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that had relegated African American players to the Negro
Leagues for six decades.
In 1997, Major League Baseball "universally" retired his
uniform number, 42, across all major league teams. He was the
first pro athlete in any sport to be so honored. Initiated for
the first time on April 15, 2004, Major League Baseball has
adopted a new annual tradition, "Jackie Robinson Day", on
which every player on every team wears #42.
Raised in Pasadena, Robinson attended UCLA, where he became
the school's first athlete to win varsity letters in four
sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track.
The author notes that "having been celebrated throughout the
sports world as a pivotal figure of the Dodger's franchise, it
is important that we recognize him in our state. Manchester
and Firestone Boulevard, previously State Route 42, seems a
befitting street to name after a figure who was so influential
throughout sports and the civil rights movement for equality."
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None on file
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Debbie Michel / L. GOV. / (916)
319-3958