(CNN) The US Senate passed legislation this week to grant Congress' highest honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, to the first Black player to compete in the National Hockey League. The bipartisan measure to honor Willie O'Ree unanimously passed the chamber on Tuesday. It now must be approved by the US House of Representatives for O'Ree to be awarded the medal. Known as "the Jackie Robinson of hockey," O'Ree, 85, broke the NHL's color barrier in 1958 with the Boston Bruins, one of six teams at the time. In this June 22, 2017, photo, Willie O'Ree, known best for being the first black player in the National Hockey League, poses for a photo in the Willie O'Ree Place in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.

Source: CNN July 31, 2021 14:24 UTC