Congressman Cohen Honors Jackie Robinson on the House Floor for Jackie Robinson Day

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today honored baseball legend and civil rights icon Jackie Robinson in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. Jackie Robinson Day is celebrated on April 15 to commemorate the day Jackie Robinson made his major league baseball debut. Jackie Robinson is best known for becoming the first black major league baseball player in the modern era in 1947. A full video of Congressman Cohen’s speech can be fund here.

“Today is Jackie Robinson Day, declared such by Major League Baseball but should be declared such by the United States of America,” said Congressman Cohen. “Jackie Robinson was a great American and a great athlete…I was fortunate to travel to Cuba with the President and met his [Jackie Robinson’s] widow Rachel and his daughter Sharon who gave me a button…designating April 15 as Jackie Robinson Day. I think we should all think about his contributions to America and what contributions we can make to America to make us a more perfect union. Thank you, Jackie Robinson.”