LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dick "The Destroyer" Beyer of Akron, New
York, upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2012
Consul General's Commendation

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dick
"The Destroyer" Beyer of Akron, New York, upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 2012 Consul General's Commendation; and
WHEREAS, On April 2, 2012, the Ambassador General of Japan, Shigeyuki
Hiroki, bestowed upon Dick "The Destroyer" Beyer of Akron, New York, the
2012 Consul General's Commendation for his active involvement in
fundraising efforts to help the victims of the 2011 Fukushima earthquake
and tsunami; the Consul General's Commendation is awarded to only one
person per year; and
WHEREAS, As part of his efforts on behalf of the victims of the 2011
Fukushima earthquake and tsunami, Dick "The Destroyer" Beyer traveled to
Sendai, Japan, at the request of Mey-Sen Academy, and toured the
affected region with his "Destroyer" mask to raise the spirits of the
devastated population; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Dick "The Destroyer" Beyer organized relief efforts
on behalf of the victims of the Kobe, Japan, earthquake; in 2009, he
received an award from Minato ward, Tokyo, for his extensive contrib-
utions to social welfare activities in the ward; and
WHEREAS, Born in Buffalo, New York, on July 11, 1930, Dick Beyer
received a full football scholarship to Syracuse University and gradu-
ated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education; he also received a
Masters degree in Education from Syracuse University; and
WHEREAS, From 1954 to 1993, Dick Beyer was a well-known and successful
professional wrestler in the United States and Japan; he developed his
"Destroyer" mask and persona while wrestling in Japan in 1962; and
WHEREAS, In 1980, Dick Beyer returned to Akron, New York, to become a
teacher and football, wrestling and swimming coach in the Akron school
system; he retired from teaching in June 1995; and
WHEREAS, Dick Beyer is an energetic part of the Buffalo Japanese
community; he has generously donated his time to attend Japanese events
in Western New York and Toronto, Canada; through his efforts, many West-
ern New York teenagers have traveled to Japan and taken an interest in
Japanese culture and society; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for
this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to Dick "The Destroy-
er" Beyer of Akron, New York; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Dick "The Destroyer"
Beyer has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has
earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues, family and friends;
and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Dick "The Destroyer" Beyer of Akron,
New York has displayed throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when an indi-
vidual of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our atten-
tion, he should be recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire
State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dick "The Destroyer" Beyer of Akron, New York, upon the occasion
of his designation as recipient of the 2012 Consul General's Commenda-
tion; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dick "The Destroyer" Beyer.