LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring retired long distance swimmer Marilyn
Bell Di Lascio upon the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of her historic
swim across Lake Ontario

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
citizens who, through a lifetime of impressive achievement, are a
profound inspiration to all the citizens of our Empire State; and
WHEREAS, It is also the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
those pioneering athletes who, through their courage, dedication, and
exceptional performance, blaze a trail for others to follow; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
retired long distance swimmer Marilyn Bell Di Lascio upon the occasion
of the 60th Anniversary of her historic swim across Lake Ontario, which
took place September 8-9, 1954; and
WHEREAS, Currently a resident of New Paltz, New York, Marilyn Bell Di
Lascio was born in the city of Toronto, in Ontario, Canada, on October
19, 1937, to Sydney and Grace Bell; and
WHEREAS, On September 9, 1954, at the age of 16, Marilyn Bell became
the first person to swim across Lake Ontario, swimming 32 miles from
Youngstown, New York, to Toronto, Canada; and
WHEREAS, Marilyn Bell first took up swimming when she was nine years
old; in 1947 she entered her first long-distance race: a one-mile swim
at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Lake Ontario, where she
first met her future coach, Gus Ryder; and
WHEREAS, At the beginning of her swimming career Marilyn Bell did not
look like a champion, usually placing fourth or fifth in swimming compe-
titions; however, she possessed great physical endurance and tremendous
will and, when she began working with Gus Ryder, her unparalleled deter-
mination began to pay off; and
WHEREAS, Marilyn Bell trained in hopes of making the 1952 Olympic
games in Finland but was unsuccessful; at age 14 she turned profes-
sional, swimming in women's and general races, including a 26-mile race
around Absecon Island in Atlantic City, New Jersey in which, out of 39
swimmers, she was one of only seven who survived the marathon; and
WHEREAS, When a challenge went out for a marathon swimmer to cross
Lake Ontario, Marilyn Bell responded; the CNE in Toronto had offered a
world famous American long-distance swimmer $10,000 to swim the lake as
a publicity effort, but Marilyn Bell decided to take on the challenge
without pay; and
WHEREAS, On the night of September 8, 1954, Marilyn Bell started her
swim across Lake Ontario at approximately the same time as the famous
swimmer; after several hours the celebrity was forced to give up with
stomach pains and vomiting, but 16-year-old Marilyn Bell completed her
swim; she was the first person ever to cover the entire distance when
she reached Toronto the next day; and
WHEREAS, Marilyn Bell swam for 20 hours and 59 minutes under grueling
conditions before she finally reached a breakwater west of the CNE
grounds; the planned 32-mile route was straight across the lake, but the
intrepid athlete had to swim much further due to strong winds and the
lack of modern navigation equipment; the waves that day were up to
fifteen feet high, the water temperature was 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and
lamprey eels were attacking her legs and arms; and
WHEREAS, During the contest Marilyn Bell kept up her strength with
Pablum, corn syrup, and lemon juice with water, as well as with heroic
encouragement from her boat crew, friends and her coach; when she final-

ly arrived at about 8:15 p.m., a crowd of 300,000 people gave her an
emotional welcome at the Sunnyside Waterfront; and
WHEREAS, Marilyn Bell continued to amaze her countrymen and the world;
in 1955, at age 17, she became the youngest person to swim the English
Channel and, in 1956, she swam the Strait of Juan de Fuca off the Pacif-
ic coast; later that year she officially retired from professional swim-
ming; and
WHEREAS, After her swimming career, Marilyn Bell married the late Joe
Di Lascio, a lifeguard she met at her marathon swim in Atlantic City;
she left Canada and moved to New Jersey, where she and her husband
raised four children: Lisa, Michael, Jodi, and Janet; and
WHEREAS, Marilyn Bell Di Lascio became a teacher, enjoying a 20-year
career teaching preschool, second and third grades, along with special
education classes; and
WHEREAS, She currently resides at Woodland Pond retirement community
in New Paltz, near her children and grandchildren; to this day water
still holds magic for Marilyn Bell Di Lascio who continues to enjoy
swimming; and
WHEREAS, In 1954, Marilyn Bell Di Lascio was named the Canadian News-
maker of the Year by the Canadian Press, was awarded the Lou Marsh
Trophy as Canada's athlete of the year, as well as the Bobbie Rosenfeld
Award as Canadian female athlete of the year, and in 1958, she was
inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame; in 1993 she entered the
Canadian Swimming Hall of Fame and was named one of Canada's top
athletes of the century; in 2002 she was presented with the Order of
Ontario; and
WHEREAS, Marilyn Bell Di Lascio's unprecedented successful swim across
Lake Ontario has fired the imaginations of generations; 56 swimmers have
since made the journey, many of them women, including the youngest of
them, a 14-year-old girl in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Marilyn Bell Di Lascio is a true pioneer and role model in
the sport of long distance swimming; her character and achievements
stand as a sterling example and inspiration to all who would aspire to
success; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor retired long distance swimmer Marilyn Bell Di Lascio upon the
occasion of the 60th Anniversary of her historic swim across Lake Ontar-
io; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Marilyn Bell Di Lascio.