California State Assembly Passes Resolution To Name Part Of 210 Freeway After Jackie Robinson
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The California State Assembly Monday passed a resolution to name a stretch of the Foothill Freeway in Pasadena after Jackie Robinson.
The 76-0 vote sends the resolution to the Senate.
Assembly Concurrent Resolution 197 would create the "Jackie Robinson Memorial Highway" on the 210 Freeway between the Glendale (2) Freeway and Orange Grove Boulevard. Fans commonly use that route to get to Dodger Stadium.
"It's only fitting to honor Jackie Robinson by naming this stretch of highway near the home he grew up and lived in," said Assemblyman Mike Gatto, (D) Los Angeles, who co-authored the resolution with Assemblyman Chris Holden, (D) Pasadena.
Robinson was raised in Pasadena. He attended John Muir High School, Pasadena City College and UCLA before breaking baseball's color line with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.
He became the first African-American to play in the major leagues.
The baseball great's successful integration of Major League Baseball is credited with helping change Americans' attitudes toward blacks and being a catalyst toward civil rights advances.