IN HONOR OF HENRY L. ``HANK'' AARON
April 2, 2020
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and privilege to
rise today to recognize a legendary baseball player, great
philanthropist, and outstanding citizen, Henry L. ``Hank'' Aaron. Hank
and his wife, Billye, will be honored by the Mobile Area Mardi Gras
Association (MAMGA) in Mobile, Alabama on February 26-27, 2017.
rise today to recognize a legendary baseball player, great
philanthropist, and outstanding citizen, Henry L. ``Hank'' Aaron. Hank
and his wife, Billye, will be honored by the Mobile Area Mardi Gras
Association (MAMGA) in Mobile, Alabama on February 26-27, 2017.
Henry Louis Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama, on February 5, 1934,
the third of eight children born to Herbert and Estella Aaron. Hank was
interested in sports from an early age. Although he worked several jobs
to help support his family, he spent a lot of time playing baseball at
a neighborhood park. He transferred to the Allen Institute in Mobile
his junior year of high school to participate in the school's organized
baseball program.
the third of eight children born to Herbert and Estella Aaron. Hank was
interested in sports from an early age. Although he worked several jobs
to help support his family, he spent a lot of time playing baseball at
a neighborhood park. He transferred to the Allen Institute in Mobile
his junior year of high school to participate in the school's organized
baseball program.
After graduating from high school, Hank began to make a name for
himself playing with local amateur and semi-pro teams, including the
Pritchett Athletics and the Mobile Black Bears. In 1951, Hank was
signed as a shortstop for the Indianapolis Clowns, which was part of
the professional Negro American League. In 1952, the Boston Braves
purchased his contract and he was assigned to Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Hank batted .336 and won the minor Northern League's Rookie of the Year
Award. He was then assigned to the Braves' Jacksonville, Florida team,
in the South Atlantic (Sally) League. Despite enduring racial insults
from fans and fellow players alike, Hank batted .362, with 22 homers
and 125 runs batted in. He was named the league's Most Valuable Player
in 1953.
himself playing with local amateur and semi-pro teams, including the
Pritchett Athletics and the Mobile Black Bears. In 1951, Hank was
signed as a shortstop for the Indianapolis Clowns, which was part of
the professional Negro American League. In 1952, the Boston Braves
purchased his contract and he was assigned to Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Hank batted .336 and won the minor Northern League's Rookie of the Year
Award. He was then assigned to the Braves' Jacksonville, Florida team,
in the South Atlantic (Sally) League. Despite enduring racial insults
from fans and fellow players alike, Hank batted .362, with 22 homers
and 125 runs batted in. He was named the league's Most Valuable Player
in 1953.
In 1954, Hank began to play for the Braves' major league team. After
the 1965 season, the Braves moved to Atlanta, where on April 8, 1974,
Hank hit his 715th career home run, breaking Babe Ruth's 39-year-old
Major League record. By the time he retired in 1976, Hank had raised
his all-time homer output to 755. But although Hank had retired from
baseball, baseball had not retired from him. He became Vice President
and Director of Player Development for the Braves, scouting new team
prospects and overseeing the coaching of minor leaguers, before
becoming Senior Vice President for the team. Due to his efforts, the
Braves became one of the strongest teams in the National League.
the 1965 season, the Braves moved to Atlanta, where on April 8, 1974,
Hank hit his 715th career home run, breaking Babe Ruth's 39-year-old
Major League record. By the time he retired in 1976, Hank had raised
his all-time homer output to 755. But although Hank had retired from
baseball, baseball had not retired from him. He became Vice President
and Director of Player Development for the Braves, scouting new team
prospects and overseeing the coaching of minor leaguers, before
becoming Senior Vice President for the team. Due to his efforts, the
Braves became one of the strongest teams in the National League.
While many people know of Hank Aaron because of his accomplishments
in baseball, it is Hank's philanthropy that truly sets him apart. In 1995, Hank and Billye
established the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation to give young
people with limited opportunities a chance to pursue their dreams.
While Hank had initially envisioned helping 755 youngsters, the
Foundation has provided vital financial assistance to more than 1,000
young people. The Foundation provides scholarships to college students
and partners with Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the country to help
young people develop their talents.
in baseball, it is Hank's philanthropy that truly sets him apart. In 1995, Hank and Billye
established the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation to give young
people with limited opportunities a chance to pursue their dreams.
While Hank had initially envisioned helping 755 youngsters, the
Foundation has provided vital financial assistance to more than 1,000
young people. The Foundation provides scholarships to college students
and partners with Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the country to help
young people develop their talents.
Hank has received numerous awards and tributes for both his athletic
ability and his charitable efforts. In 1982, he was voted into the
Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York. In 1997, Hank Aaron
Stadium in Mobile was dedicated to him. In 1999, Congress passed a
resolution recognizing him as one of baseball's greatest players and
praising his work with the Chasing the Dream Foundation. That year,
Major League Baseball announced the creation of the Hank Aaron Award,
given annually to the best overall hitter in each league. In 2002, Hank
received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award
of the United States.
ability and his charitable efforts. In 1982, he was voted into the
Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York. In 1997, Hank Aaron
Stadium in Mobile was dedicated to him. In 1999, Congress passed a
resolution recognizing him as one of baseball's greatest players and
praising his work with the Chasing the Dream Foundation. That year,
Major League Baseball announced the creation of the Hank Aaron Award,
given annually to the best overall hitter in each league. In 2002, Hank
received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award
of the United States.
On a personal note, I am proud to consider Hank and the Aaron family
friends of longstanding. He and I grew up in the same area of Mobile,
Toulminville, and his sister, Alfredia, was my classmate from
elementary school through Central High School Class of 1964. She and
her husband, Congressman David Scott, continue to be dear friends to my
wife and me.
friends of longstanding. He and I grew up in the same area of Mobile,
Toulminville, and his sister, Alfredia, was my classmate from
elementary school through Central High School Class of 1964. She and
her husband, Congressman David Scott, continue to be dear friends to my
wife and me.
Indeed, Hank is a baseball legend but he is also an entrepreneur,
civil rights leader, philanthropist, humanitarian and just an
outstanding human being, period. His humility is unparalleled and his
heart for helping others has made a tremendous impact throughout our
nation and the world. He continues to make Mobilians proud.
civil rights leader, philanthropist, humanitarian and just an
outstanding human being, period. His humility is unparalleled and his
heart for helping others has made a tremendous impact throughout our
nation and the world. He continues to make Mobilians proud.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and my wife, Vivian, in
recognizing the perseverance, generosity, and legacy of Hank and Billye
Aaron. Winston Churchill said: ``You make your living by what you get,
you make a life by what you give.'' The Aarons embody this ideal
perfectly and their spirit of giving is making lives for generations
yet to come.
recognizing the perseverance, generosity, and legacy of Hank and Billye
Aaron. Winston Churchill said: ``You make your living by what you get,
you make a life by what you give.'' The Aarons embody this ideal
perfectly and their spirit of giving is making lives for generations
yet to come.