Rep. Gregory W. Meeks Pens Letter to the Biden Administration on Inviting the Tennessee Tigers to the White House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) led a letter to President Biden to respectfully request that he invite the surviving members of the 1957-1959 Tennessee A&I Tigers Men’s Basketball Team, now called Tennessee State, to the White House for a long overdue celebration.

Tennessee A&I was the first historically black institution to win a national championship and the first collegiate basketball team to ever win three consecutive national championships at any level starting in 1957.

“The bravery and resilience these young men exemplified during such a dark time in our country’s history is unparalleled,” said Congressman Meeks. “Racial discrimination and prejudice were rampant in the era of segregation. Yet, these talented athletes persevered and became champions. It is only right that we honor these trailblazers by inviting them to the White House for a proper celebration of their accolades.”

The Tennessee A&I Tigers basketball team was enshrined in the National Basketball Hall of Fame on September 6, 2019, after decades of not being officially recognized.

Congressman Meeks is joined by over 50 representatives as cosigners of the letter.

To see the full letter, click HERE.

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