Senator John McCain (R-AZ) is seeking a presidential pardon for John Arthur “Jack” Johnson, the nation’s first black heavyweight boxing champion.
The resolution was introduced on Wednesday by both McCain and Peter King (R-NY).
In 1913, Johnson was convicted under the Mann Act after he brought a white woman he was having a consensual relationship with across state lines.
An avid boxing fan, McCain felt that Jackson was wronged in the conviction, which was widely believed to be racially motivated.
“This resolution to pardon Jack Johnson would not right this injustice, but it would recognize it, and shed light on the achievements of an athlete who was forced into the shadows of bigotry and prejudice,” said McCain in a statement released on his official website.
Johnson won the world heavy weight title in 1908 and held it until he was defeated by Jess Willard in 1915.
After his conviction in 1913, Johnson fled the country but agreed years later to serve a 10-month jail sentence. He tried to renew his career after leaving prison but failed to regain his title.
Johnson died in a car accident in 1946 at age 68.
“It has now been over 100 years since Jack Johnson won the heavyweight title, and it’s time we restore his reputation with a pardon that is long overdue,” said King, a recreational boxer.
Presidential pardons for the dead are rare. Similar legislation in 2004 failed to pass both chambers of Congress.
The resolution was introduced on Wednesday by both McCain and Peter King (R-NY).
In 1913, Johnson was convicted under the Mann Act after he brought a white woman he was having a consensual relationship with across state lines.
An avid boxing fan, McCain felt that Jackson was wronged in the conviction, which was widely believed to be racially motivated.
“This resolution to pardon Jack Johnson would not right this injustice, but it would recognize it, and shed light on the achievements of an athlete who was forced into the shadows of bigotry and prejudice,” said McCain in a statement released on his official website.
Johnson won the world heavy weight title in 1908 and held it until he was defeated by Jess Willard in 1915.
After his conviction in 1913, Johnson fled the country but agreed years later to serve a 10-month jail sentence. He tried to renew his career after leaving prison but failed to regain his title.
Johnson died in a car accident in 1946 at age 68.
“It has now been over 100 years since Jack Johnson won the heavyweight title, and it’s time we restore his reputation with a pardon that is long overdue,” said King, a recreational boxer.
Presidential pardons for the dead are rare. Similar legislation in 2004 failed to pass both chambers of Congress.
