There aren’t many issues that unite Minnesota’s congressional delegation, but the group is working on one that does now.
The delegation has started lobbying the U.S. Postal Service to feature former Twins slugger Harmon Killebrew on a future U.S. postage stamp.
U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with U.S. Reps. Collin Peterson, Betty McCollum, John Kline, Keith Ellison, Tim Walz, Rick Nolan, Erik Paulsen and Tom Emmer came together to send a letter urging the USPS Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee to honor Killebrew on a stamp.
The delegation writes:
“Mr. Killebrew’s legacy on and off the field exemplifies the best of Minnesota as well as the best of our nation. We are proud of such an exemplary role model for current and future generations, and see this stamp as an important way of preserving the legacy of Harmon Killebrew.”
Killebrew played for the Twins from 1961-74.
He retired in 1975 after hitting 573 career home runs, more than any other right-handed hitter in American League history at the time.
According to The Associated Press, Killebrew was also known for his good sportsmanship and his work for charities.
The delegation highlighted Killebrew’s work on the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and the Harmon Killebrew Foundation.
“Harmon Killebrew believed that every child deserved the chance to play his favorite game, and so it was no surprise that his favorite charity was the Miracle League, an organization that provides specially-designed baseball fields for children with disabilities.”
Killebrew established those fields all across the country – giving children everywhere a chance to play the game.
He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984, and died in 2011.
