Dominican-American Congressman Adriano Espaillat of the Bronx, New York, sought to honor the legacy of late Latino baseball player Roberto Clemente by putting his name on a U.S. coin. The proposed bill aims to recognize the Puerto Rican baseballer’s contribution to the “Latinization” of the sport and his dedication to community service, according to the article published by Latin Times.

Roberto Clemente, an outfielder who played 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, winning two World Series titles in 1960 and 1971, is remembered not only for his skills on the field but also for his philanthropic work. He dedicated his off-season time in Latin America and the Caribbean, delivering baseball equipment and food to people in precarious situations.

The article highlights an inspiring quote from Clemente: “Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on Earth”. After his death, Clemente was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame through a special election, being the first player born in Latin America to receive this honor.

For the bill to pass, Espaillat would need the support of two-thirds of the House of Representatives. According to the publication, Puerto Rico’s sole representative, Jenniffer González-Colón, showed support but was unable to vote on the House floor due to Puerto Rico’s status as a territory.

Other similar initiatives have already been taken, such as the series of quarters honoring important American women. The Treasury Department would design the coin if the bill was approved, and Clemente's children expressed that it would be a source of "immense pride" for the family.

In addition to the coin proposal, Espaillat previously spearheaded a resolution urging Major League Baseball to retire the number 21 (Clemente's jersey) across the league, recognizing Clemente's pioneering and activism for civil rights.

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