WASHINGTON – On Thursday, July 25th at 11:45 a.m., U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) will announce their bipartisan legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Willie O’Ree, the first black player to compete in the National Hockey League. Known as the “Jackie Robinson of Hockey,” O’Ree played 22 years of professional hockey for the Boston Bruins.

In 1996, O’Ree was named the National Hockey League’s first-ever Diversity Ambassador. In that role, O’Ree helped develop the Hockey is for Everyone youth organizations, which offer minority and underserved children the opportunity to play hockey, build character, and develop important life skills. Hockey is for Everyone programs have served more than 120,000 boys and girls at over 30 nonprofits across North America.

WHO:             U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
                         U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC)                      
                         Kim Davis, Executive Vice President, Social Impact, Growth, and
                         Legislative Affairs at the National Hockey League
                         Willie O’Ree, first black player to compete in the NHL

WHAT:            Announce Willie O’Ree Congressional Gold Medal Act

WHEN:            Thursday, July 25th at 11:45 a.m.

WHERE:          731 Hart Senate Office Building


Media interested in attending the event should RSVP to scott_press@scott.senate.gov. .

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