{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/roberto-clementes-birthday-bilirakis-soto-and-valazquez-announce-bipartisan", "On Roberto Clemente\u2019s Birthday, Bilirakis, Soto and Valazquez Announce Bipartisan Bill to Honor Baseball Legend at U.S. Capitol", "2026-08-18", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus M. Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", "bilirakis", "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 On what would have been Roberto Clemente\u2019s 92nd birthday, U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), and Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez (D-NY) announced bipartisan legislation that would authorize the creation and presentation of a statue honoring the life and enduring legacy of baseball legend and humanitarian Roberto Clemente at the United States Capitol. Born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, on August 18, 1934, Clemente became one of the most accomplished and admired players in Major League Baseball history. During his 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Clemente recorded exactly 3,000 hits, won four National League batting titles, earned 12 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, was named the National League\u2019s Most Valuable Player in 1966, and helped lead the Pirates to two World Series championships. He also made history as the first Latin American and Caribbean player inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Clemente\u2019s impact, however, extended far beyond the baseball diamond. Throughout his career, he courageously spoke out against discrimination and dedicated himself to humanitarian causes, particularly efforts to improve the lives of children and families throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Clemente tragically died on December 31, 1972, when a plane carrying humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua crashed shortly after takeoff from Puerto Rico.\n\n\u201cRoberto Clemente embodied the very best of the American spirit. He was a trailblazer whose extraordinary talent changed the game of baseball, but his greatest legacy was the compassion, courage, and selflessness he demonstrated in service to others,\u201d said Congressman Bilirakis. \u201cAs a proud Floridian who represents a vibrant Hispanic community and a lifelong Pirates fan, I know how deeply Clemente\u2019s example continues to resonate with generations of Americans. It is fitting that we announce this bipartisan legislation on his birthday to ensure his remarkable story and enduring legacy are permanently honored at our Nation\u2019s Capitol. I am proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to recognize a true American hero whose life reminds us that greatness is measured not simply by what we achieve, but by what we do for others.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to join Rep. Bilirakis in this effort to authorize the placement of a statue honoring Roberto Clemente on Capitol Grounds. In Central Florida, Clemente's legacy lives on in our renamed streets and schools, in little league field murals, as well as in the morals we teach our children to follow,\u201d said Rep. Soto. \u201cFrom his efforts to reform American baseball to his humanitarian work, Clemente demonstrated that he practiced what he preached and dedicated his life to helping others overcome adversity. Though his life was tragically cut short, we will keep fighting to keep his spirit alive in this U.S. Capitol. \u00a1Wepa!\u201d\n\nClemente was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1973 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003, among the Nation\u2019s highest honors. Major League Baseball also annually presents the Roberto Clemente Award to the player who best exemplifies extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions both on and off the field. The effort to honor Clemente with a statue at the U.S. Capitol builds upon legislation previously introduced by Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer Gonz\u00e1lez-Col\u00f3n during her tenure as Puerto Rico\u2019s Resident Commissioner in Congress. Bilirakis, Soto, and Vel\u00e1zquez are continuing that bipartisan effort to ensure Clemente\u2019s extraordinary contributions to our Nation and his enduring legacy of service receive permanent recognition at the U.S. Capitol. The lawmakers\u2019 legislation would authorize the creation and presentation of a statue of Clemente for display at the U.S. Capitol. The tribute would ensure that the millions of Americans who visit the Capitol each year have an opportunity to learn about a man whose contributions to our Nation transcended sports and whose example of service continues to inspire generations.\n\nClemente famously said, \u201cIf you have an opportunity to make things better and you don\u2019t, then you are wasting your time on Earth.\u201d His life embodied that principle. More than five decades after his passing, Clemente\u2019s commitment to service, equality, and helping those in need continues to inspire people throughout Puerto Rico, across the United States, and around the world.", 1, "2026-08-19T05:29:02Z", "2026-08-19T05:30:24Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/roberto-clementes-birthday-bilirakis-soto-and-valazquez-announce-bipartisan"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5451619401574135, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}