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PRINTER'S NO. 986
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
81
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY KINSEY, ZABEL, SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS, STAATS,
HOWARD, GALLOWAY, LONGIETTI, FREEMAN, SCHLOSSBERG, STAMBAUGH,
McNEILL, VITALI, JOZWIAK, ROTHMAN, KIRKLAND, NEILSON, MERSKI,
MENTZER, SCHWEYER, DELLOSO, WARREN AND SAINATO,
MARCH 18, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, MARCH 18, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life of Richard (Dick) Anthony Allen and expressing
condolences.
WHEREAS, Richard (Dick) Anthony Allen was the Philadelphia
Phillies' first African-American superstar; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allen died on December 7, 2020, at 78 years of
age; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allen was born in the small Pennsylvanian town
of Wampum on March 8, 1942; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allen and his eight siblings were raised by
their mother, Era, who supported them by working as a domestic;
and
WHEREAS, Mr.Allen was an outstanding athlete at Wampum High
School and played on the basketball and the baseball teams; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia Phillies' scout John Ogden recognized
Mr. Allen's skills on the baseball field and signed him upon
graduation from high school for an estimated $70,000; and
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WHEREAS, The first thing Mr. Allen bought was a new house for
his hardworking mother; and
WHEREAS, The Phillies had not integrated their team until
1957 and had a poor history of race relations; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allen persevered through racial taunts from
baseball crowds and threatening notes left on his car after
games; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allen was the only Phillie player to start all
162 games, finishing the 1964 season with a .318 average, 29
home runs, 91 runs-batted-in and an award for National League
Rookie of the Year; and
WHEREAS, The 1966 season set Mr. Allen's status as a bona
fide baseball superstar as he hit .317, had 40 home runs, 110
runs-batted-in and played 141 games; and
WHEREAS, Despite being a skilled athlete, Mr. Allen was
forced to wear a batting helmet for protection from projectiles
being thrown at him; and
WHEREAS, Even while leading the Phillies in nearly every
offensive category, Mr. Allen was still booed at every game; and
WHEREAS, Following several disagreements with team
leadership, Mr. Allen was eventually traded to the St. Louis
Cardinals in 1970; and
WHEREAS, After years of facing taunts from fans in
Philadelphia, Mr. Allen was voted the starting National League
first baseman by fans for the 1970 All-Star Game; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allen was traded to the Dodgers and was a large
part of the team's on-field success in 1971; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allen was traded for the third time in three
years to the Chicago White Sox and soon became the most talented
player on the team; and
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WHEREAS, In 1975, Mr. Allen was traded back to the
Philadelphia Phillies and was met by standing ovations at his
first game in the city since 1969; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allen retired from baseball at 35 years of age
with a .292 average, 351 home runs and 1,119 runs-batted-in; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Mr. Allen was a phenomenal
player who overcame obstacles and endured harsh realities
because of his race; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the life of
Richard (Dick) Anthony Allen and express condolences for his
passing; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the family of Richard (Dick) Anthony Allen as a demonstration of
sympathy for their tremendous loss.
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