Jackie Robinson Memorial Highway Clears State Assembly

Jackie Robinson. – Courtesy photo

Next Stop: State Senate

The California State Assembly recently passed Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s (D – Los Angeles) resolution to name a stretch of Interstate 210 after Brooklyn Dodgers hall of famer and second baseman Jackie Robinson, who was raised in Pasadena, by a 76-0 vote.

The measure, joint authored by Assemblyman Chris Holden (D – Pasadena), would create the “Jackie Robinson Memorial Highway,” on Interstate 210, between State Route 2 and Orange Grove Boulevard, a commonly used route to Dodger Stadium for fans coming from the eastern Los Angeles County.

“Jackie Robinson is not only an inspiring figure to us for his accomplishments in athletics, but also as a civil-rights-era trailblazer who advocated for social change,” said Assemblyman Gatto. “His contributions to baseball and society have made an everlasting impression on our nation.”

Jackie Robinson is best known for breaking the color barrier in baseball when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 and for having his number, “42” retired by all of Major League Baseball. But before becoming a big-leaguer, Robinson excelled in basketball, football, baseball, and track at John Muir High School and Pasadena City College. He then transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles in 1939, where he became the first Bruin to letter in four sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track.

“It’s only fitting to honor Jackie Robinson by naming this stretch of highway near the home he grew up and lived in,” said Gatto. “The sacrifices and differences he made will always be remembered.”

ACR 197 will now head to the California State Senate.

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