Reps. Adriano Espaillat and Jenniffer González-Colón Introduce the Roberto Clemente Coin Act

WASHINGTON, DC -- This week, Representatives Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR) introduced the bipartisan Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act to honor the profound legacy of Major League Baseball (MLB) star Roberto Clemente and his humanitarian achievements for Black and Latino communities around the nation.   “Roberto Clemente was the model player, social advocate, a champion of civil rights, and a star among his peers,” said Rep. Espaillat. “As a player, Clemente was unrivaled in right field and no name in history commands more respect than his in Latin American baseball circles. I am proud to introduce bipartisan legislation to recognize Roberto Clemente’s humanitarian efforts, baseball stardom, and unapologetic pride in Latino heritage with the production of a commemorative coin honoring his legacy and the impact he had throughout the MLB, during the civil rights movement, and around the nation.”    “I am proud to lead the bipartisan Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act with my colleague Adriano Espaillat, paying tribute to a man who is a source of immense pride in Puerto Rico—our beloved Roberto Clemente. Clemente's legacy, as both a model player in Major League Baseball and a champion for civil rights and minority communities, is unparalleled. This commemorative coin is a testament to his enduring legacy, recognizing not only his athletic prowess but also his unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the world. Through recognizing Clemente, we aim to inspire future generations to embrace the values of compassion and justice that he exemplified throughout his remarkable life,” said Rep. González-Colón. “We are deeply moved and grateful for the proposal to immortalize our father, Roberto Clemente, on a commemorative United States coin. It is a profound honor that reflects his enduring legacy and the impact he had on the world,” said Roberto Clemente, Jr., Co-Chairman and Co-founder of the Roberto Clemente Foundation. Luis R. Clemente, Co-Chairman and Co-founder of the Roberto Clemente Foundation added, "The proposal to have our father immortalized on a United States Commemorative Coin is a source of immense pride for our family. His contributions to both the sport of baseball and humanitarian efforts have left a permanent mark, and we are grateful for the recognition of his enduring legacy through this meaningful tribute.” “NALEO commends Congressman Espaillat and Congresswoman González-Colón for their leadership in recognizing Roberto Clemente’s exemplary life and contributions to the world of baseball and civil rights,” said NALEO President E. Junior Maldonado. “The Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act is an honorable tribute to his enduring legacy within the Latino community and other communities of color across the United States.” To date, the bipartisan Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act has been endorsed by 20 organizations, including: FRIENDS of the National Museum of the American Latino; NALEO Educational Fund; The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce; Friends of Puerto Rico; Congreso de Latinos Unidos; Grupo 21; El Museo del Barrio; Youth Guidance BAM Chicago; Roberto Clemente High school; DREAM; Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association; UCF-Puerto Rico Research Hub; Roberto Clemente Middle School; The Clemente Museum; Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade; The Clemente Course in the Humanities; PONY Baseball and Softball; Puerto Rico Pony Baseball and Softball League, Inc.; Clemente Course in the Humanities, Inc.; and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. As a social justice trailblazer and tireless advocate for the rights of minority communities, Roberto Clemente’s legacy extends beyond the baseball field. The introduction of the Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act serves as a lasting tribute to his sportsmanship, talent, and humanitarian efforts both on and off the field.   Earlier this Congress, Espaillat introduced a congressional resolution to commemorate the life and legacy of Roberto Clemente.