Pennsylvania HR 223: A Resolution designating the month of October 2023 as "Agent Orange Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1576
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 223
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY BRENNAN, GREEN, KHAN, PARKER, FLICK, GREINER,
GUENST, GIRAL, VITALI, HOHENSTEIN, PIELLI, PASHINSKI, HILL-
EVANS, RABB, VENKAT, SANCHEZ, MADDEN, NEILSON, FREEMAN,
GALLAGHER, MALAGARI AND SCHLOSSBERG, MAY 2, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, RECREATION AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, MAY 2, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing November 19, 2025, as "Roy Campanella Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The product of an interracial marriage, Roy
Campanella was born November 19, 1921, in Philadelphia to a
Black mother and a father of Sicilian descent; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Campanella's family lived in the Germantown
section of Philadelphia at the time of his birth but moved to
the Nicetown neighborhood in Philadelphia when he was seven
years of age; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Campanella attended Gillespie Junior High and
Simon Gratz High School and was denied opportunities to work in
Major League Baseball because he was Black; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Campanella started playing professional baseball
full time at the age of 16 with the Baltimore Elite Giants of
the Negro National League; and
WHEREAS, Just two years later, Mr. Campanella led the
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Baltimore Elite Giants to their first Negro National League
title win and held a season batting average of .353; and
WHEREAS, During the 1942 season, Mr. Campanella played for
the Monterrey Sultans of the Mexican League, and he continued in
the Mexican League for the 1943 season before returning to the
Negro National League for the 1944 and 1945 seasons; and
WHEREAS, In 1946, Mr. Campanella and Don Newcombe played
together in the Class B New England League for the Nashua
Dodgers, a Minor League affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers,
making this team the first integrated affiliated baseball team
in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Campanella was signed by Branch Rickey of the
Brooklyn Dodgers, joining Jackie Robinson and others to become
one of the first Black players to break baseball's color barrier
when he made his debut 77 years ago; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Campanella dealt with racism throughout his
career, including being denied accommodations in his hometown of
Philadelphia during his rookie season with other Black teammates
at the Bellevue Stratford, causing him to stay at his parents'
home at 1528 Kerbaugh Street in Nicetown with Jackie Robinson;
and
WHEREAS, Sportswriters often referred to Mr. Campanella as
"The Cat" because of his feline-like quickness, blocking stray
pitches or pouncing on bunts in front of the home plate; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Campanella was named the National League's Most
Valuable Player three times, was selected for the All-Star Game
in eight straight seasons, was recognized as the best fielding
catcher in the league in the 1950s and played in five World
Series, including the Dodgers win in 1955; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Campanella was considered one of the greatest
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catchers in the history of professional baseball, was elected to
the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969 and had his number 39 jersey
retired by the Dodgers following a career that included 260 home
runs, 1,019 runs batted in, a batting average of .283 and a more
than 57% career caught-stealing rate, the highest for any
catcher in the history of Major League Baseball; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Campanella broke his neck and was paralyzed from
the chest down after a traffic accident in 1958, which ended his
professional baseball playing career; and
WHEREAS, After his baseball career, Mr. Campanella found his
"second life" as a coach and disability advocate, serving as an
inspiration to many across the world, including those with
disabilities; and
WHEREAS, With the same perseverance, tenacity and character
that made him an exceptional baseball player, Mr. Campanella's
drive in his physical rehabilitation and his tenacity to inspire
and improve the lives of others, including to several future
Hall of Fame players, made him a symbol of dignity, hope and
perseverance for all; and
WHEREAS, After his accident, Mr. Campanella remained a part
of the Dodgers family, working in public relations, helping with
scouting and serving as a special instructor and advisor at the
Dodger's Vero Beach Spring Training facility; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Campanella was always a person who challenged
what was possible and viewed physical therapy as a lifeline; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Campanella and his physical therapists made a
deal: he would work and they would help him live his life to the
fullest; and
WHEREAS, Despite the odds, Mr. Campanella regained use of his
arms through his dedication to treatment and the work of his
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skilled physical therapists; and
WHEREAS, In 1991, to give back and to honor the skilled
therapists that helped