Approving a resolution by voice vote on Wednesday, the U.S. Senate is now urging President Barack Obama to pardon Jack Jackson, the late black heavyweight champion who was went to prison almost one hundred years ago because of a romantic affair with a white woman.

Johnson was the first black heavyweight champion in 1908, and was convicted in 1913 of violating the Mann Act, which made it illegal to transport women across state lines for immoral purposes.

Obama's opponent in the 2008 presidential elections, John McCain, sponsored the resolution. Similar resolutions offered in both 2004 and 2008 failed to pass both the House and Senate.