PRINTER'S NO. 748
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
58
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY PISCIOTTANO, BURGOS, GIRAL, VENKAT, BRENNAN, HILL-
EVANS, RABB, KULIK, GREINER, KHAN, SCHLOSSBERG, SMITH-WADE-
EL, MADDEN, MALAGARI, SANCHEZ, SAMUELSON, MERSKI, MARSHALL,
HADDOCK, BOROWSKI, PARKER AND McANDREW, MARCH 30, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM AND ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT, MARCH 30, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing September 15, 2023, as "Roberto Clemente Day" in
Pennsylvania and encouraging the celebration of his life as a
humanitarian, veteran and Hall of Fame baseball player.
WHEREAS, On August 18, 1934, Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker
was born in Barrio San Antón, Carolina, Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, Roberto Clemente's mother, Luisa Walker, was a
laundress, and his father, Melchor Clemente, was employed at a
sugarcane plantation where a young Roberto Clemente often worked
alongside him; and
WHEREAS, In high school, Roberto Clemente's talent for sports
was evident, as he excelled at both baseball and track and
field; and
WHEREAS, Following success in the Puerto Rican baseball
league, Roberto Clemente signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in
1954, spending a season in the minor leagues before making his
way to the Pittsburgh Pirates; and
WHEREAS, During his 18-year major league career with the
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Pirates, Roberto Clemente accumulated 3,000 hits and two World
Series titles, was a 15-time all-star, a 12-time Gold Glove
Award winner in right field, the 1966 National League Most
Valuable Player and a four-time batting champion; and
WHEREAS, In the 1958-1959 off-season, Roberto Clemente
enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and served
until 1964, spending six months on active duty at Parris Island,
South Carolina, and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his legendary Major League Baseball
career and veteran status, Roberto Clemente was also a devoted
humanitarian who spent countless hours helping those in need;
and
WHEREAS, After a devastating earthquake hit central Nicaragua
on December 23, 1972, Roberto Clemente organized shipments of
food, clothing and medical supplies to Managua, Nicaragua; and
WHEREAS, Upon hearing reports that the shipments of supplies
had disappeared, Roberto Clemente insisted on seeing the next
flight to Nicaragua himself to ensure that the donations were
appropriately distributed; and
WHEREAS, Tragically, on December 31, 1972, the plane loaded
with supplies crashed off the coast of Puerto Rico immediately
after takeoff, killing Roberto Clemente and all other passengers
on board; and
WHEREAS, After Roberto Clemente's premature death, the
Baseball Writers Association of America waived the required
five-year waiting period and held a special ballot, electing
Roberto Clemente to the Baseball Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Major League Baseball established September 15 as
"Roberto Clemente Day," coinciding with the start of "Hispanic
Heritage Month," to honor his legacy; therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
September 15, 2023, as "Roberto Clemente Day" in Pennsylvania
and encourage the celebration of his life as a humanitarian,
veteran and Hall of Fame baseball player.
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