Assembly Approves Bid to Rename Stretch of 210 for Jackie Robinson

PASADENA, CA - A resolution to name a stretch of the Foothill (210) Freeway after Jackie Robinson was approved Monday by the Assembly.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 197 would create the "Jackie Robinson Memorial Highway" on the Foothill Freeway between the Glendale (2) Freeway and Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena, a commonly used route to Dodger Stadium for fans coming from the eastern Los Angeles County.

Robinson was raised in Pasadena, attending John Muir High School, Pasadena City College and UCLA before breaking baseball's color line with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

The 76-0 vote sends the resolution to the Senate.

Robinson's successful integration of Major League Baseball is credited with helping change Americans' attitudes toward blacks and being a catalyst toward later civil rights advances.

"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.

City News Service; Photo: Wikimedia Commons