From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org

JEFFERSON CITY - A resolution pending before the Missouri House would recognize April 15, 2013 as the first black man to play Major League Baseball, Jackie Robinson.

If the measure is approved, Missouri would celebrate "Jackie Robinson Day" on Monday, April 15 and recognize the achievements of Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson as the man who broke baseball's color barrier. The measure praises Robinson's "courageous civil rights activism.”

The measure is sponsored by Rep. Randy Dunn, D-Kansas City. It cleared the House Tourism Committee on Thursday, April 4. Dunn said he is sponsoring the resolution ahead of the release of the movie “42," about the life story and accomplishments of Robinson.

“There is a lot of baseball fans at the Capitol,” Dunn said. He said that should be the reason of having this resolution approved.

 On April 15, 1947 Jackie Robinson played his first game in Ebbets Field for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He started his professional baseball career in early 1945 accepting a written offer from the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro leagues. Throughout his career, Robinson was a second baseman.

Robinson died in October 1972 at the age of 53.

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