MAYORAL PROCLAMATION
BREAKING BARRIERS DAY IN PORTLAND

Whereas, the city of Portland recognizes a diverse community -- and the need to break barriers in both sports and life, and;

Whereas, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play major league baseball 57 years ago this week, foreshadowing societal changes that would take place over the next 25 years, and;

Whereas, Portland itself was on the forefront of baseball integration, with Negro League hall-of-famer Satchel Paige once a star for the Portland Beavers, and;

Whereas, Sharon Robinson, daughter of Jackie has continued what her father began, raising awareness for such issues as increased programming for the African American community, and;

Whereas, Sharon has helped in the creation of such educational platforms as the Jackie Robinson Foundation, Breaking Barriers: In Sports and Life and RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), and;

Whereas, Portland, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of America, is a part of Major League Baseball's RBI outreach, and;

Whereas, Portland understands the need to be an outlet for Sharon and the Robinson family's efforts, and would like to continue that at a major league level;

Now, therefore, I Vera Katz, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon -- the "City of Roses" -- do herby proclaim April 17, 2004 to be Breaking Barriers Day in Portland.

###