Current Status Bill Number:993 Type of Legislation:Concurrent Resolution CR Introducing Body:Senate Introduced Date:19980205 Primary Sponsor:J. Verne Smith All Sponsors:J. Verne Smith, Passailaigue, Alexander, Anderson, Branton, Bryan, Cork, Courson, Courtney, Drummond, Elliott, Fair, Ford, Giese, Glover, Gregory, Grooms, Hayes, Holland, Hutto, Jackson, Land, Lander, Leatherman, Leventis, Martin, Matthews, McConnell, McGill, Mescher, Moore, O'Dell, Patterson, Peeler, Rankin, Ravenel, Reese, Russell, Ryberg, Saleeby, Setzler, Short, Thomas, Waldrep, Washington and Wilson Drafted Document Number:pt\1679dw.98 Date Bill Passed both Bodies:19980521 Subject:Jackson, "Shoeless Joe"; Resolutions
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved ______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________ Senate 19980521 Received from House House 19980521 Adopted, returned with concurrence House 19980520 Committee report: Favorable 24 HIMR House 19980210 Introduced, referred to Committee 24 HIMR Senate 19980205 Introduced, adopted, sent to HouseView additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
COMMITTEE REPORT
May 20, 1998
S. 993
Introduced by Senators J. Verne Smith, Passailaigue, Alexander, Anderson, Branton, Bryan, Cork, Courson, Courtney, Drummond, Elliott, Fair, Ford, Giese, Glover, Gregory, Grooms, Hayes, Holland, Hutto, Jackson, Land, Lander, Leatherman, Leventis, Martin, Matthews, McConnell, McGill, Mescher, Moore, O'Dell, Patterson, Peeler, Rankin, Ravenel, Reese, Russell, Ryberg, Saleeby, Setzler, Short, Thomas, Waldrep, Washington and Wilson
S. Printed 5/20/98--H.
Read the first time February 10, 1998.
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 993), to memorialize the Commissioner of Baseball to reinstate "Shoeless Joe" Jackson, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:
RICHARD M. QUINN, JR., for Committee.
TO MEMORIALIZE THE COMMISSIONER OF BASEBALL TO REINSTATE "SHOELESS JOE" JACKSON AS A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING IN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL.
Whereas, nearly eighty years have elapsed since the 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, eighty 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 by him; 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 Senate, the House of Representatives 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.
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, and the family of Joe Jackson.