Senate Resolution No. 1091

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 36th Anniversary of the
International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New
York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor those
enduring organizations which faithfully devote their resources and
purposeful energies to supporting those who love the sport of boxing and
contributing to the quality of life for the residents of the communities
they serve; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 36th Anniversary of the International Boxing Hall of
Fame in Canastota, New York, to be celebrated with its newest class of
inductees to be honored during the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend to be
held June 5-8, 2025; and

WHEREAS, The Class of 2025 International Boxing Hall of Fame
honorees, voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association of
America and a panel of international boxing historians, are: Manny
"PacMan" Pacquiao, Vinny "The Pazmanian Devil" Paz, and Michael "Second
To" Nunn in the Men's Modern category; Yessica "Kika" Chavez, Anne
Sophie Mathis, and Mary Jo Sanders in the Women's Modern category; Cathy
"Cat" Davis in the Women's Trailblazer category; referee Kenny Bayless,
cut man Al Gavin (posthumous), and referee Harry Gibbs (posthumous) in
the Non-Participant category; broadcaster and journalist Randy Gordon
and television producer Ross Greenburg in the Observer category; Rodrigo
Valdez (posthumous) in the Old Timer category; and Owen Swift
(posthumous) in the Pioneer category; and

WHEREAS, Canastota, New York is known as "Boxing's Hometown," and
for the 2025 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend a myriad of events will take
place at the village and nearby at Turning Stone Resort Casino in
Verona, New York; throughout the four-day celebration, events will
include ringside talks, fist casting, fight night, 5K race/fun run,
boxing autograph card show, banquet, parade, and induction ceremony; and

WHEREAS, The International Boxing Hall of Fame opened to the public
in 1989 and is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the great sport of
boxing; it serves as a tribute to the world's finest boxers and
contributors to the sport, allowing boxing enthusiasts to appreciate and
celebrate the rich history and traditions of boxing; and

WHEREAS, The multi-year partnership between Turning Stone Resort
Casino and the International Boxing Hall of Fame spotlights the entire
region, garnering attention and boosting tourism in Central New York;
the partnership includes a series of nationally-televised boxing events
at Turning Stone, culminating every year in June with an elaborate and
bigger-than-ever International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend with several
exciting events in Madison County and Oneida County throughout the
four-day celebration; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
associations 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 36th Anniversary of the International Boxing Hall of
Fame in Canastota, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New
York and aforementioned honorees.