WASHINGTON, March 2 (UPI) -- President Bush praised baseball legend Jackie Robinson as a man of honor and courage Wednesday and helped present his widow with a Congressional Gold Medal.
The medal is Congress' highest expression of appreciation for distinguished civilian accomplishment. Bush traveled to Capitol Hill to help present it to Robinson's widow and other family members.
"His story is one that shows what one person can do to hold America to account to its founding promise of freedom and equality," Bush said. "It's a lesson for people coming up to see.
"This son of Georgia sharecroppers was taught by his mother that the best weapon against racism was the use of his talent, his God-given talent, not to waste a minute, and he didn't," the president said.
Robinson, a star college athlete, broke the color line in professional major league baseball, playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947 to 1957. He withstood his initial negative reception from fans and players with courage and dignity. Those qualities, and a magic bat, earned him national acclaim.
Robinson helped the civil rights movement in later years. A foundation was established in his name after his death in 1973 to help black children attend college.
