Cleaver’s Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial Commemorative Coin Act Signed Into Law

(Washington, D.C.) – The Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, a bill introduced by United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), has been signed into law by the President of the United States. The bipartisan bill directs the Department of Treasury to mint a coin to commemorate the centennial of the establishment of the Negro Leagues, which was founded in Kansas City in 1920.

"I want to thank Representative Stivers, along with Senators Blunt and Kaine, for teaming up on this effort to honor the legends of the Negro Leagues in such historic fashion," said Congressman Cleaver. "Not only will this legislation appropriately commemorate the Negro Leagues for their profound impact on the nation during the Civil Rights Movement, but it will also provide substantial funding for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City to continue educating future generations on the league and the icons who helped break down the color barrier in baseball. It's a fitting way to cap off the centennial of the Negro Leagues, and I couldn't be prouder of the bipartisan effort that made this possible."

The coin comes at no cost to taxpayers, and the U.S. Treasury will be reimbursed for the costs of issuing the coins. After the U.S. Treasury has recouped all of its costs for designing and minting the coins, funds will be distributed to the National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which was founded in 1990 in Kansas City.

In addition to Cleaver and Stivers, the House bill is cosponsored by 301 representatives. In addition to Blunt and Kaine, the Senate bill is cosponsored by 77 senators.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Matt Helfant at 202-590-0175 or Matthew.Helfant@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.