Democratic Representative of New York, Adriano Espaillat, and Republican Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón, introduced a bill to create the “Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin” that seeks to honor the sporting legacy and in favor of the rights of minorities of the Puerto Rican star of the Major League Baseball (MLB).
In the opinion of Espaillat, of Dominican origin, Clemente not only shone as a “model player,” but as a “social defender” and “fighter for civil rights.”
“As a player, Clemente was unrivaled in right field and no name in history commands more respect than his in Latin American baseball circles. I am proud to introduce a bipartisan piece of legislation to recognize Roberto Clemente’s humanitarian efforts, baseball stardom, and tremendous pride in his Latino heritage with the production of a commemorative coin honoring his legacy and the impact he had on the entire nation. MLB, during the civil rights movement and around the nation,” the Democrat acknowledged in a press release distributed by his press office on December 21.
González agreed with Espaillat on the virtues that made Clemente a notorious figure on and off the field of play.
“This commemorative coin is a testament to his enduring legacy, recognizing not only his athletic prowess but also his unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the world. By recognizing Clemente, we aim to inspire future generations to embrace the values of compassion and justice that he exemplified throughout his extraordinary life,” stated the resident commissioner in Washington, DC.
HR6751 requires the Secretary of the Treasury to issue commemorative coins in recognition of the life and legacy of the baseball star.
Previously, Espaillat presented a resolution urging the MLB to implement “Roberto Clemente Day” in the league to recognize his contributions in the sport and at a social level in general.
Pennsylvania Democratic Representative Christopher Raphael Deluzio; and the Republican of the same state, Guy Lorin Reschenthaler, are the other two co-sponsors of the measure, apart from
The legislation is before the House Financial Services Committee.
Support from the Roberto Clemente Foundation
Several organizations and entities have supported the initiative, including the Roberto Clemente Foundation.
“We are deeply moved and grateful by the proposal to immortalize our father, Roberto Clemente, on a commemorative United States coin. It is a profound honor that reflects his enduring legacy and the impact he had on the world,” reacted Roberto Clemente, Jr., co-president and co-founder of the foundation, in the press release.
“The proposal to immortalize our father on a commemorative United States coin is a source of immense pride for our family. “His contributions to both the sport of baseball and his humanitarian efforts have left a permanent mark, and we are grateful for the recognition of his enduring legacy through this significant tribute,” added Luis R. Clemente, another of the baseball player’s sons and board member. of the organization.
The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce is another of the organizations that applauded the process, considering that it inspires new generations.
“Clement’s life and work serve as a shining example of what a person can achieve when driven by a sense of purpose,” the entity says in a statement on its website.
Key piece in the fight against racism in the Major Leagues
Clemente is recognized for fighting racism in the Major Leagues and opening a space for blacks and other minorities in sports.
The Major League career of the native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, began in 1955. Clemente, nicknamed “The Great One,” played with the Pittsburg Pirates for 18 seasons. In that period, he had 305 runs, 240 home runs and 3,000 hits. Additionally, he was a two-time World Series champion, participated in the All-Star Game 15 times and won 12 consecutive Gold Gloves since 1961.
The athlete died on December 31, 1972 when he was traveling by plane to Nicaragua for philanthropic work following the earthquake that left thousands dead and injured. He was 38 years old.
The figure of the baseball player was the center of debate earlier this year when members of the Puerto Rican diaspora in Florida publicly denounced that the Administration of Governor Ron DeSantis withdrew a book about his sports and life career from schools.
“Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates,” written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Raúl Colón, was subject to review due to references to issues such as racism and discrimination in the media. of the censorship campaign led by DeSantis against the teaching of topics related to racial origin, gender or nationality.
Keep reading:
Book about battle against racism by Puerto Rican baseball player Roberto Clemente will return to the classroom in Duval County, Florida after pressure from the diaspora
The legendary Roberto Clemente is declared a hero of Puerto Rico