# Understanding This Bill About Bill Russell

This is a resolution honoring Bill Russell, the legendary Boston Celtics player who passed away in July 2022. It's important to understand that this isn't a law that changes anything or affects how you live your life—it's basically Congress saying "we want to officially recognize and celebrate this person's accomplishments and legacy."

The resolution highlights Russell's incredible basketball career: he won 11 NBA championships (a record that still stands), was a five-time MVP, and made the All-Star team 12 times. But the resolution emphasizes that Russell was much more than just a great athlete. It specifically calls attention to his civil rights activism, including when he led his teammates in boycotting a game in Kentucky to protest a restaurant that refused to serve Black players, and when he marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1963 March on Washington. The resolution notes that President Obama awarded Russell the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, recognizing both his athletic excellence and his courage in fighting for equality.

By passing this resolution, the House of Representatives is officially stating that Russell deserves to be remembered not just as a basketball legend, but as someone who used his platform to stand up against racism and discrimination. The resolution also acknowledges that the NBA made Russell the first player ever to have his jersey number retired league-wide, which is another way the sports world honored his impact. Essentially, Congress is joining in that tribute and expressing condolences to his family and friends.

Honoring Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell, 11-time National Basketball Association champion, first Black head coach of the National Basketball Association, and civil rights activist.

 <p>This resolution honors the life of William &quot;Bill&quot; Felton Russell (basketball player and coach with the Celtics and civil rights activist) and expresses condolences to his family and friends.</p>