***EVENT FOR COVERAGE***

Jackie Robinson's Daughter to Read, Sign New Book at North Portland Bookstore; Will Receive Mayoral Proclamation Announcing April 17 as Breaking Barriers Day in Portland

Not-For-Profit Portland Baseball Group to Also Donate 124 Copies of Book -- 124 Being Robinson's Single-Season Career High in RBIs -- to Bring Major League Education to Portland Campaign

WHO: Sharon Robinson, daughter of baseball icon and hall-of-famer Jackie Robinson, who 57 years ago this week broke baseball's color barrier.

Sharon is also the vice president of educational programming for Major League Baseball, has helped to create the Jackie Robinson Foundation -- and has been a major part of other outreaches to the African American community, including: Breaking Barriers: In Sports and Life and RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities).

WHAT: A reading and signing of her new book "Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America."

Sharon will also receive a mayoral proclamation on behalf of her and her family's work, with Mayor Katz declaring April 17, 2004 as Breaking Barriers Day in Portland. Drew Malik of the Oregon Sports Authority will deliver the mayor's message.

Steve Kanter, president of the not-for-profit Portland Baseball Group, the organization spearheading the effort to bring a major league team to the city, will donate 124 copies of Sharon's book -- 124 being Jackie's single-season career high in RBIs -- to the city's Bring Major League Education to Portland campaign (Matt Sten, a representative from the organization will be on hand to accept, along with players from the Madison H.S. baseball team).

WHEN/
WHERE: Sat., April 17; Noon

Book signing: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
**Proclamation/donation announcement: Noon

Reflections Coffee House's Talking Drum Bookstore
446 NE Killingsworth
Portland, OR 97211

DIRECTIONS: From 405: Exit N. Cook St., go east; left on N. Williams Ave., right on NE Freemont Blvd.; left on MLK Blvd., right on NE Killingsworth.

CONTACT: Julie Edwards (503) 407-6286 (cell); Zack Smith (858) 864-8180 (cell).

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