Senate Resolution No. 523

BY: Senator CLEARE

COMMEMORATING the 57th Anniversary of Each One
Teach One, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality of life in the communities across this great State of New
York is enriched by the diligence and compassionate commitment of those
individuals whose singular purpose is the care and welfare of our young
athletes; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 57th Anniversary of Each One Teach One, Inc., the
organization which Robert McCullough helped form; and

WHEREAS, A star basketball player for the Benedict College Tigers in
South Carolina, Robert "Bob" McCullough averaged 36.4 points per game,
making him the second highest scorer in the nation; over a three-year
span, he scored an incredible 2,135 points; and

WHEREAS, Robert McCullough was the first black athlete to be
selected for the All-Southern Textile Basketball All-Star Team in
Greenville, South Carolina, and in 1965, he was named to All-American
Honorable Mention teams by sportswriters for United Press International
and Converse Magazine; and

WHEREAS, This talented athlete was offered a contract by the Harlem
Globetrotters, and in the 1965 NBA draft, he was taken in the 12th round
(91st overall) by the Cincinnati Royals; and

WHEREAS, In 1967, Robert McCullough played with the New Jersey
Asbury Park Boardwalkers in the Eastern Professional Basketball League,
now known as the CBA, where he averaged 22 points and five assists per
game and was selected to the All-Rookie Team; and

WHEREAS, After his pro basketball career, Robert McCullough
furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Science degree from
Lehman College and took classes at New York University, Cornell
University, and Hunter College; he then served as a guidance counselor
and social worker in New York City; and

WHEREAS, Robert McCullough is the commissioner of the
internationally known Rucker Summer Professional Basketball League which
plays at the Greg Marius Court at Holcombe Rucker Park, a renowned
basketball court at 155th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard in
Harlem; many who have played at the park in the Rucker Tournament
achieved a level of fame for their abilities, and several have gone on
to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA); and

WHEREAS, Robert McCullough and his colleague Fred Crawford started
the Rucker Pro Tournament in honor of mentor Holcombe Rucker; and

WHEREAS, Robert McCullough and Fred Crawford also co-founded
National Association of Each One Teach One, Inc. a youth developmental

mentoring program that instills the mantra, "Where Knowledge is Power"
in the young people of East Harlem; and

WHEREAS, Each One Teach One uses sports as a vehicle to motivate
young people to pursue higher education and explore various careers;
members of Each One Teach One conducts college tours and provides guest
speakers from public, private and the entertainment sectors, while
fostering self-respect, community awareness and self-empowerment; and

WHEREAS, Through the enthusiasm, love, and tireless efforts of
Robert McCullough, numerous young men and women, on and off the court
through the Each One Teach One Basketball Program, have averted a life
of illegal activity on the streets, by promoting education, discipline,
drug prevention and mentoring; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Robert McCullough has
displayed throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 57th Anniversary of Each One Teach One, Inc.; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Robert McCullough.