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PARDON SOUGHT FOR BOXER JACK JOHNSON: Congressional resolution deals with his conviction for 'transporting white women.'
*Congress has recommended that a presidential pardon should be granted to Jack Johnson, the first black world heavyweight boxing champion.
Johnson won the title in 1908 but was later convicted of transporting white women across US state lines for immoral purposes. He served nearly one year in prison for what is now seen as a racially motivated conviction.
After his conviction in 1913, Johnson fled the US, returning in 1920 to serve his term. He returned to boxing but was unable to regain his title.
The congressional resolution urges President Bush to grant Johnson a pardon. It states that the conviction was racially motivated, prompted by his athletic success and his relationships with white women.
"He was a victim of the times and we need to set the record straight - clear his name - and recognize him for his groundbreaking contribution to the sport of boxing," said member of the House of Representatives Peter King, the author of the resolution.
A similar resolution, sponsored by presidential candidate John McCain, now goes before the Senate for consideration.
Authorities tried and failed to prosecute Johnson over his relationship with a white woman whom he later married. A second white woman then testified that Johnson had transported her across state lines in violation of the Mann Act.
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