H 3571 Concurrent Resolution, By Limehouse, R.L. Brown, Sottile and Bedingfield
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MEMORIALIZE THE COMMISSIONER OF BASEBALL TO
 REINSTATE "SHOELESS JOE" JACKSON AS A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING IN PROFESSIONAL
 BASEBALL AND REQUEST, THAT IF REINSTATED, THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE NOMINATE
 HIM TO BE INDUCTED TO THE NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME.

   02/11/15  House  Introduced (House Journal-page 62)
   02/11/15  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions (House Journal-page 62)
   03/04/15  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions (House Journal-page 30)
   03/05/15  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Bedingfield
   03/05/15  House  Adopted, sent to Senate (House Journal-page 50)
   03/10/15  Senate Introduced (Senate Journal-page 14)
   03/10/15  Senate Referred to Committee on General
                     (Senate Journal-page 14)

COMMITTEE REPORT

March 4, 2015

H. 3571

S. Printed 3/4/15--H.

Read the first time February 11, 2015.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 3571) to memorialize the Commissioner of Baseball to reinstate "Shoeless Joe" Jackson as a member in good standing in professional baseball and request, that if reinstated, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

JIMMY C. BALES for Committee.

TO MEMORIALIZE THE COMMISSIONER OF BASEBALL TO REINSTATE "SHOELESS JOE" JACKSON AS A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING IN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL AND REQUEST, THAT IF REINSTATED, THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE NOMINATE HIM TO BE INDUCTED TO THE NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME.

Whereas, more than ninety years have elapsed since the alleged scandal of the 1919 World Series; and

Whereas, although the story has frequently seen print, fact and fancy have been so confused that today it still is not known what actually took place; and

Whereas, Joe Jackson was acquitted of all charges of conspiracy by a jury of "twelve good men and true"; and

Whereas, although set aside by the judge, a jury verdict against the Chicago White Sox was awarded him for the balance of his contract; and

Whereas, the fact that his fielding average for the Series of 1919 was perfect and the fact that in that Series he set a record of twelve hits for a World Series offer strong evidence that he was no party to a conspiracy to "throw" the Series; and

Whereas, he suffered lifelong ignominy as a result of the scandal of 1919 and his subsequent banishment from organized baseball; and

Whereas, more than ninety years is far too long for any man or the memory of him to be tainted for an act as to which strong evidence exists that it was never committed; and

Whereas, Joe Jackson was active in civic matters, particularly in programs for the benefit of young boys, after his return to private life; and

Whereas, the General Assembly of South Carolina recognizes the desire of the family, friends, and baseball fans, who have loyally supported "Shoeless Joe", that he be exonerated; and

Whereas, the General Assembly of South Carolina believes him to have been innocent of any conspiracy to "throw" the World Series of 1919; and

Whereas, although he is now deceased, the General Assembly feels that he should be exonerated by baseball as he was exonerated in both criminal and civil courts. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognizes that "Shoeless Joe" Jackson was exonerated of any wrong doing in the 1919 World Series in both criminal and civil courts and, therefore, the Commissioner of Baseball is memorialized to reinstate "Shoeless Joe" Jackson as a member in good standing in organized baseball and further request, that if reinstated, the appropriate committee nominate him to be inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Commissioner of Baseball, the President of the American Baseball League, the President of the National Baseball League, the Board of Directions of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and the family of Joe Jackson.