LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating the legendary life and accomplish-
ments of Muhammad Ali, three-time World heavyweight boxing champion

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding athletes who distinguish themselves through their excep-
tional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest
level of personal achievement; and
WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of the legendary Muhammad Ali, noting the
significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated
sporting figures of the 20th Century, Muhammad Ali died on Friday, June
3, 2016, in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the age of 74; and
WHEREAS, Born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. on January 17, 1942, in
Louisville, Kentucky, to Cassius Marcellus Clay, Sr. and Odessa O'Grady
Clay, Muhammad Ali became interested in boxing at a young age when his
bicycle was stolen; Louisville Police Officer and Boxing Coach Joe E.
Martin suggested to the irate 12 year-old that he should learn to box to
ensure it would never happen again; and
WHEREAS, Cassius Clay, Jr. made his amateur boxing debut in 1954; he
would go on to win six Kentucky Golden Gloves titles, two national Gold-
en Gloves titles, an Amateur Athletic Union national title, and the
Light Heavyweight gold medal in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy;
his amateur record was 100 wins with five losses; and
WHEREAS, Cassius Clay, Jr. made his professional debut on October 29,
1960, under the direction of trainer and mentor Angelo Dundee, who would
remain with him throughout his 21 year career, before retiring in 1981;
and
WHEREAS, In his first professional match, Cassius Clay, Jr. won a
six-round decision over Tunney Hunsaker; from then until the end of
1963, he amassed a record of 19-0 with 15 wins by knockout; and
WHEREAS, Cassius Clay, Jr. defeated numerous boxers including Tony
Esperti, Jim Robinson, Donnie Fleeman, Alonzo Johnson, George Logan,
Willi Besmanoff, Lamar Clark, Doug Jones and Henry Cooper; in addition,
he defeated his former trainer and veteran boxer Archie Moore in a 1962
match; and
WHEREAS, At the age of 22, Cassius Clay, Jr. became a top contender
for Sonny Liston's World Heavyweight Title; he declared himself "The
Greatest," promising his fans he would, "float like a butterfly and
sting like a bee," while defeating Sonny Liston; the fight lasted only
seven rounds as Liston failed to answer the bell and Clay was declared
the winner and new World Heavyweight Champion by TKO; and
WHEREAS, Shortly after capturing the title, Cassius Clay, Jr.
converted to the Muslim religion and adopted the name of Muhammad Ali
which was personally chosen for him by Minister Elijah Muhammad, the
Leader of the Nation of Islam; and
WHEREAS, A symbol of Black Pride, Muhammad Ali spoke up about racial
injustice and demonstrated to the African-American community that they
were entitled to their dignity; and
WHEREAS, Classifying himself as a conscientious objector to the Viet-
nam War, on April 28, 1967, Muhammad Ali refused to be inducted into
U.S. Armed Forces; soon thereafter he was unjustly stripped of the
World Heavyweight Championship, was denied a boxing license in every
state, and had his passport taken away; and
WHEREAS, Convicted of draft evasion on June 20, 1967, Muhammad Ali was
sentenced to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine; while appealing
the decision, and being unable to fight or leave the country, Muhammad

Ali began speaking on college campuses, discussing matters of racial
equality and anti-war activism; and
WHEREAS, On June 28, 1971, Muhammad Ali's conviction was overturned by
the United States Supreme Court by a unanimous 8-0 decision; and
WHEREAS, After a nearly four year suspension, Muhammad Ali returned to
boxing in October of 1970; on March 8, 1971, he squared off with then
heavyweight champion, Joe Frazier, at Madison Square Garden in what was
billed as the "Fight of the Century"; the match was broadcasted to 35
foreign countries; and
WHEREAS, Defeating Joe Frazier in their 1974 rematch set the stage for
a title fight against heavyweight champion George Foreman in Kinshasa,
Zaire, on October 30, 1974; during this bout, nicknamed "The Rumble in
the Jungle," Muhammad Ali knocked him out in the 8th round and regained
the heavyweight title; and
WHEREAS, He then faced Joe Frazier for the third and final time in the
"Thrilla in Manila," a bout held in the Philippines in 1975; in the 15th
round Muhammad Ali won by TKO; and
WHEREAS, Due to his successful boxing career, Muhammad Ali became an
international celebrity; he starred in the 1977 film adaptation of his
autobiography, "The Greatest"; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's syndrome
but would later be identified as Parkinson's disease; despite his
illness, he remained active with several public appearances such as the
1987 Tournament of Roses Parade, lit the flame at the 1996 Summer Olym-
pics in Atlanta, and was on the set of the 2001 film entitled "Ali"
starring Will Smith; and
WHEREAS, Remembered by countless fans, friends and family members,
Muhammad Ali is survived by his fourth wife, Yolanda ("Lonnie")
Williams; nine children, Laila Ali, Rasheda Ali, Hana Ali, Asaad Amin,
Maryum Ali, Jamillah Ali, Khaliah Ali, Muhammad Ali Jr., Miya Ali; and a
brother, Rahman Ali; and
WHEREAS, A gifted athlete, Muhammad Ali was a renowned legend in the
sport of professional boxing; after more than two decades, his character
and achievements stand as a sterling example and inspiration to all who
would aspire to succeed; he will be deeply missed and truly merits the
grateful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the legendary life and accomplishments of Muhammad Ali, three-
time World heavyweight boxing champion, and to express its deepest
condolences to his family; and be it further
.SO DOC A R1602 RESO TEXT 2015
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Muhammad Ali.