SCHUMER, ESPAILLAT ANNOUNCE DESIGNATION OF BASKETBALL MECCA – HARLEM’S HISTORIC HOLCOMBE RUCKER PARK – AS A NATIONAL COMMEMORATIVE SITE

WASHINGTON, DC --Today, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) announced that the Holcombe Rucker Park Commemorative Site Act, passed in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, has been signed into law by President Biden on Saturday, January 4th. Senator Schumer and Congressman Espaillat shepherded this legislation to passage to commemorate Holcombe Rucker Park and to preserve America's basketball mecca in Harlem, New York. 

“Holcombe Rucker had a profound impact on the Harlem community and the game of basketball, and designating Rucker Park as a Commemorative Site recognizes Mr. Rucker’s cultural contributions and ensures the historic park and incomparable basketball mecca will continue to empower youth for generations to come,” said U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer. “I am proud that Rep. Espaillat and I were able to pass this law, working side-by-side with the dedicated community advocates, to honor the legacy of Holcombe Rucker and Rucker Park. Rucker Park is known across the world as a special place that represents New York City’s rich basketball heritage, streetball culture, and authentic love for the game. From NBA stars to local legends, Rucker Park has hosted generations of basketball icons and visionaries. Holcombe Rucker dedicated his life to serving the Harlem community and furthering the game of basketball, and I’m glad we can honor that legacy through the national commemoration of Rucker Park.” 

"It has been my esteemed honor to introduce federal legislation recognizing the tremendous impact of the Harlem community, designating the Holcombe Rucker Park as a national commemorative site," said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13). "Thank you to my colleagues, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, for their collaborative efforts to secure passage of the bill in the U.S. Senate and to each of the community advocates, who helped get this bill across the finish line. I am deeply appreciative to President Biden for signing this historic bill into law, enshrining Harlem as the mecca of Black culture, the legacy of Holcombe Rucker to America’s basketball history, and empowering New York City youth and families for generations to come.” 

The Holcombe Rucker Park National Commemorative Site Act designates Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, New York, as a National Commemorative Site. The park is named after Holcombe Rucker, a WWII veteran, scholar, mentor, and coach. This federal designation recognizes the park’s importance in the development of basketball and honors the legacy of Holcombe Rucker, whose contributions helped nurture some of the sport's most talented players and deliver over 700 scholarships. The pro-am tournaments hosted by Rucker at the famed court bearing his name not only hosted some of the most iconic basketball moments in living memory, but also laid the foundation for the player development system that has become ubiquitous today around the world. Rucker’s contributions to the game have helped foster legendary talents from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Rafer “Skip 2 My Lou” Alston and helped turn basketball into the global game it is today. 

“Basketball is truly ‘The City Game’ and nowhere is this made more real or spectacular or eye-popping, high-fiving, towel-waving, fall-off-the-stands amazing than at the world-renown Rucker Tournaments,” Schumer added.

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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fifth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 119th Congress. He is Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov