Willis to be honored at HOF Game
The U.S. Senate passed by Unanimous Consent Senate Resolution 533, written by U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) and cosponsored by U.S. Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH), that commemorates the 60th anniversary of the permanent racial integration of professional football by four pioneering players: William "Bill" K. Willis, Marion Motley, Kenny Washington and Woody Strode. This integration, a full year before Jackie Robinson's much-celebrated integration of professional baseball, supported other ongoing efforts to permanently end racial segregation as an accepted practice in the United States. Senator George Allen (R-VA) is also a cosponsor. The resolution gained the support of all 100 senators.
"My colleagues and I have commemorated an important part of the civil rights movement by recognizing the groundbreaking accomplishments of these great men," Senator Voinovich said. "The integration of major professional sports dealt a blow to segregation across the country, causing other racial barriers to fall. The players deserve to be recognized not only for their outstanding contributions on the field but for the vital roles they played in history."
"These players showed courage and leadership as they broke down racial barriers and became role models for children and football fans of all races," said Senator DeWine. "I am proud that two of these players were Cleveland Browns and helped show the country that sportsmanship and teamwork are what matter, not the color of one's skin."
Thanks to the significant contributions of Bill Willis and Marion Motley, the Cleveland Browns won the National Football League Championship in 1950, the first year the Browns played in the NFL. In addition to permanently ending the race barrier, Bill Willis and Marion Motley were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognizing their outstanding careers.
Willis is the only surviving member of the pioneering foursome.
The NFL will commemorate him and the 60th anniversary of the permanent integration during the 2006 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Sunday, August 6, 2006. Senator Voinovich will present Willis with the resolution during a halftime ceremony.
The U.S. Senate passed by Unanimous Consent Senate Resolution 533, written by U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) and cosponsored by U.S. Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH), that commemorates the 60th anniversary of the permanent racial integration of professional football by four pioneering players: William "Bill" K. Willis, Marion Motley, Kenny Washington and Woody Strode. This integration, a full year before Jackie Robinson's much-celebrated integration of professional baseball, supported other ongoing efforts to permanently end racial segregation as an accepted practice in the United States. Senator George Allen (R-VA) is also a cosponsor. The resolution gained the support of all 100 senators.
"My colleagues and I have commemorated an important part of the civil rights movement by recognizing the groundbreaking accomplishments of these great men," Senator Voinovich said. "The integration of major professional sports dealt a blow to segregation across the country, causing other racial barriers to fall. The players deserve to be recognized not only for their outstanding contributions on the field but for the vital roles they played in history."
"These players showed courage and leadership as they broke down racial barriers and became role models for children and football fans of all races," said Senator DeWine. "I am proud that two of these players were Cleveland Browns and helped show the country that sportsmanship and teamwork are what matter, not the color of one's skin."
Thanks to the significant contributions of Bill Willis and Marion Motley, the Cleveland Browns won the National Football League Championship in 1950, the first year the Browns played in the NFL. In addition to permanently ending the race barrier, Bill Willis and Marion Motley were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognizing their outstanding careers.
Willis is the only surviving member of the pioneering foursome.
The NFL will commemorate him and the 60th anniversary of the permanent integration during the 2006 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Sunday, August 6, 2006. Senator Voinovich will present Willis with the resolution during a halftime ceremony.
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