Jack Johnson Finally Pardoned By U.S. Congress Posthumously

[FlatLine]

http://www.si.com/boxing/2015/07/16/jack-johnson-boxer-us-senate-*********-mccain-reid#

The U.S. Senate passed an ********* Thursday urging for a presidential pardon for heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson.

The ********* was introduced by Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Harry Reid (D-NV), pushing for a posthumous pardon for Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight champion, for an unjust conviction in 1913. Johnson was charged with transporting a white woman across state lines, a violation of the Mann Act, which made it a crime to transport a person between states for the purposes of prostitution.

“Jack Johnson is a boxing legend and pioneer whose reputation was wrongly tarnished by a racially-motivated conviction more than a century ago,” said McCain in a release. “While this resolution has passed both chambers of Congress several times in recent years, President ***** has refused to take action even though the practice of issuing posthumous pardons has clear precedent. I thank Senator Reid for his continued partnership on this issue and urge the House to send the resolution to the President’s desk. It’s past time for our country to right this historical wrong and restore this great athlete’s legacy.”

Johnson famously defeated Tommy Burns in Australia in 1908 to become the world heavyweight boxing champion, and in the years that followed he became one of the world's most prominent fighters. In 1915, Johnson brought a woman whom he was dating across state lines. The ruling in his case is believed to have been racially charged, and the conviction destroyed Johnson's career and reputation.

“I’m pleased that Senator McCain and I have secured passage of this resolution that corrects a historical injustice,” said Reid in the same release. “Jack Johnson was the greatest athlete of his time, a trailblazer for African-Americans and had his life and legacy tarnished by a racially motivated criminal conviction. As we have done for years, Senator McCain and I will continue to fight to restore his legacy and ensure that Jack Johnson is remembered for what he was, an incredible boxer sent to prison by an unfair system. I hope the President will pardon Jack Johnson and repair the legacy of this great man.”

[Redd Foxx]

Very cool. Heard about this after McCain brought attention to it. I'm not into drama over past injustices, but this was a classy move.

[North Star]

Wow, finally. McCain has been trying to do this for a long time.

[Eastcoast]

I heard they did this just in time to announce Johnson as Wilder's opponent in January.

[lefthook2daliva]

Wonder if Fury will ever get pardoned by the BBC thought police...will it take a century?

[Uncle Rodge]

Good to see this finally resolved. Hopefully it wont take another 100 years for someone to legislate against the persistent shooting of innocent black men by the "authorities" that are actually alive today and very much hoping to stay that way.

[Dr Rumack]

Only took 100 years.

[Eff Pandas]

This is what congress spends time on? Pardoning a guy who's been dead for 69yrs? Go f#ck yourself you feel good about correcting a wrong far too late do nothing mfers.

[Boxfan83]

http://www.si.com/boxing/2015/07/16/...*-mccain-reid#

The U.S. Senate passed an ********* Thursday urging for a presidential pardon for heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson.

The ********* was introduced by Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Harry Reid (D-NV), pushing for a posthumous pardon for Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight champion, for an unjust conviction in 1913. Johnson was charged with transporting a white woman across state lines, a violation of the Mann Act, which made it a crime to transport a person between states for the purposes of prostitution.

“Jack Johnson is a boxing legend and pioneer whose reputation was wrongly tarnished by a racially-motivated conviction more than a century ago,” said McCain in a release. “While this resolution has passed both chambers of Congress several times in recent years, President ***** has refused to take action even though the practice of issuing posthumous pardons has clear precedent. I thank Senator Reid for his continued partnership on this issue and urge the House to send the resolution to the President’s desk. It’s past time for our country to right this historical wrong and restore this great athlete’s legacy.”

Johnson famously defeated Tommy Burns in Australia in 1908 to become the world heavyweight boxing champion, and in the years that followed he became one of the world's most prominent fighters. In 1915, Johnson brought a woman whom he was dating across state lines. The ruling in his case is believed to have been racially charged, and the conviction destroyed Johnson's career and reputation.

“I’m pleased that Senator McCain and I have secured passage of this resolution that corrects a historical injustice,” said Reid in the same release. “Jack Johnson was the greatest athlete of his time, a trailblazer for African-Americans and had his life and legacy tarnished by a racially motivated criminal conviction. As we have done for years, Senator McCain and I will continue to fight to restore his legacy and ensure that Jack Johnson is remembered for what he was, an incredible boxer sent to prison by an unfair system. I hope the President will pardon Jack Johnson and repair the legacy of this great man.”

Over a century later? Wow, glad it was done but well overdue. Brothas have come a long way in boxing, in 1913 brothas couldnt even transport a white woman across state lines, now their taking private jets to **** em in Russia. Lol!

[Doritos]

Over a century later? Wow, glad it was done but well overdue. Brothas have come a long way in boxing, in 1913 brothas couldnt even transport a white woman across state lines, now their taking private jets to **** em in Russia. Lol!

All made possible by the White man. Lol!