Congressmen Adriano Espaillat, Democrat, and Dan Meuser, Republican, again presented in Congress a proposal of law to create a currency that commemorates the legacy and humanitarian achievements of the Puerto Rican player of Major Leagues (MLB) Roberto Clemente deceased in a plane accident in 1972.
The commemorative currency law was also presented bipartitely in the Senate by Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Shelley Moore, Espaillat said in a joint statement.
Espaillat explained that, although the project was approved in the last session of the House of Representatives last year, the proposal did not reach the Senate, so it was presented again on Monday.
“Throughout his life and his dedicated career, Clemente dedicated his time, energy and resources to the black and Latin communities and exemplified the spirit of the community service,” said Congressman Espaillat, the first Dominican elected to the US Congress.
Espaillat stressed that the Puerto Rican race “was historic in every way” and included innumerable awards -two World Series championships, fifteen selections to the game of stars, twelve gold gloves and 3,000 home runs.
“His legacy is enshrined for his altruism and commitment to the service to neighbor, which materializes in the Roberto Clemente Award, which annually grants the major leagues to the player that best exemplifies the sports spirit and community participation,” added the Democratic parliamentarian.
For his part, Meuser stressed that Clemente, who died in an aviation accident when he was helping Nicaragua after the 1972 earthquake, was more than a baseball player from the Hall of Fame and remembered him for his humanity, as a pioneer “and a symbol of perseverance and generosity.”
Clemente (1934-1972) played his entire career with Pittsburgh’s pirates, “leaving an indelible mark” in baseball and in the world for his commitment to excellence, civil rights and philanthropy, said Meuser, who also expressed that the Puerto Rican was his childhood hero.
Clemente’s children thanked the legislators for the bipartisan recognition to their father, who died on December 31, 1972 after crashing the plane on the coast of Puerto Rico, in which he carried humanitarian aid for those affected by the earthquake in Nicaragua. His body was never recovered.
In 2022, the National Assembly of Nicaragua was declared by the National Hero.
“I’m convincing that God wted me to play baseball.” ~ Pittsburgh #Pirates Legend Roberto Clemente #MLB #Seball #Hero #Inspiration pic.twitter.com/wek3bgc1dy
– Baseball by BSMILE (@BSMILE) April 6, 2025
(With EFE report)
