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Bill

HR 123

Commending the Fredericksburg Frogs.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bonita Anthony and 24 co-sponsors

The bill formally commends the Fredericksburg Frogs for their historical significance and their role in supporting Black athletes and community spirit in amateur baseball.

Bill text as passed House (HR123ER)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 123

Summary of Bill HR 123 (2026, Virginia)

Title

Commending the Fredericksburg Frogs

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill is a House Resolution (HR 123) intended to commend and recognize the historical significance of the Fredericksburg Frogs, an amateur baseball team active roughly from 1919 to 1944.
  • It acknowledges the Frogs’ role in fostering community spirit, supporting Black athletes, and contributing to the broader history of amateur baseball in Fredericksburg and surrounding areas.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Formal commendation: The House of Delegates expresses admiration for the Fredericksburg Frogs and their contributions to amateur baseball and the development of Black athletes during a period when professional integration was limited.
  • Historical acknowledgment: The resolution documents the Frogs’ active years (approximately 1919–1944), notable players and leadership (e.g., manager Charles C. Bland; players Kelsie Deane, Charley “Hickory” Lewis, Augustus “Gus” Watts, Dr. Jimmy Shields), and the team’s competitive schedule against local Black teams and a notable victory over the Homestead Grays.
  • Community impact: Highlights the Frogs’ role in engaging the local community, fostering camaraderie across Black communities, and hosting fundraisers for worthy causes.
  • Recent homage reference: Mentions that in 2025 the Fredericksburg Nationals introduced an alternate logo, jersey, and mascot to honor the Frogs, signaling contemporary recognition of the team’s legacy.
  • Formal acknowledgment to stakeholders: Directs the Clerk of the House of Delegates to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to the Fredericksburg Nationals, recognizing their role in honoring the Frogs’ legacy.

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • The Fredericksburg Frogs’ historical legacy would be formally recognized by the Virginia House of Delegates.
  • The Fredericksburg Nationals (the local baseball organization) would receive a copy of the resolution as the presenting body for the commendation.
  • The resolution serves an official ceremonial role rather than fiscal or regulatory changes; no new obligations or funding mandates are described.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Source and status: The bill is a House Resolution (HR) and has been enacted by the House.
  • Key dates:
    • February 17, 2026: Presented and laid on Speaker’s table.
    • February 23, 2026: Engrossed by House and agreed to by voice vote.
    • April 16, 2026: Bill text as passed by the House (HR123ER).
  • Next steps: As a resolution, it would typically proceed to the Senate for its concurrence or be noted as an expression of the House’s sentiment; no further legislative actions are described in the provided text.

Summary Assessment

HR 123 is a ceremonial, non-controversial recognition of the Fredericksburg Frogs’ historical significance in amateur baseball and their role in supporting Black athletes in the early- to mid-20th century. It ties historical appreciation to contemporary recognition by the Fredericksburg Nationals and serves to publicly honor community impact and athletic legacy.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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