Senate Resolution No. 735

BY: Senator RITCHIE

CELEBRATING the life and accomplishments of
legendary Boxing Great Joe Louis, and recognizing
the many contributions he made to the State of New
York and its residents

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding athletes who distinguished themselves through their
exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest
level of personal achievement; Joe Louis was one such athlete; his life
of athletic achievements inspired others and contributed to the respect
and admiration of the sport of boxing; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
celebrate the life and accomplishments of legendary Boxing Great Joe
Louis, and to recognize the many contributions he made to the State of
New York and its residents; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Louis Barrow was born on May 13, 1914, in LaFayette,
Alabama; he was an American professional boxer who competed from 1934 to
1951; and

WHEREAS, Nicknamed the Brown Bomber, today, Joe Louis is praised as
one of the greatest and most influential boxers of all time; he reigned
as the world heavyweight champion from 1937 to until his temporary
retirement in 1949; and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary fighter was victorious in 25 consecutive
title defenses, a record for all weight classes; out of his 69
professional fights, he won 66 and tallied 52 knockouts, losing only
three matches; and

WHEREAS, On August 30, 1937, Joe Louis and Tommy Farr fought at
Yankee Stadium before a crowd of approximately 32,000; and

WHEREAS, One year later, on June 22, 1938, Joe Louis and German
Boxer Max Schmeling (Nazi) fought at Yankee Stadium before a crowd of
70,043; the Brown Bomber was a focal point of anti-Nazi sentiment
leading up to and during World War II because of this historic rematch;
and

WHEREAS, Joe Louis also fought Billy Conn in front of a crowd of
54,487 fans on June 18, 1941, at the Polo Grounds in New York City; in
this fight, the State of New York was entitled to $30,000 of his
earnings; and

WHEREAS, On January 9, 1942, Joe Louis fought a charity bout for the
Navy Relief Society against his former opponent Buddy Baer, which raised
$47,000 for the fund; the next day, he volunteered to enlist as a
Private in the United States Army at Camp Upton, Long Island; and

WHEREAS, Joe Louis' cultural impact was felt well outside the ring;
he is widely regarded as the first person of African-American descent to
achieve the status of a nationwide hero within the United States; and

WHEREAS, Joe Louis was instrumental in integrating the game of golf,
breaking the sport's color barrier in America by appearing under a
sponsor's exemption in a PGA event in 1952; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout was his third wife of 22 years, Martha
Jackson, a lawyer from Los Angeles, California, as well as his six
children, all of whom feel privileged to have been a part of his life
and rejoiced in his achievements; currently, his one son, the younger
Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., lives in New York City, and is involved in
boxing; and

WHEREAS, In 1990, Joe Louis was inducted into the International
Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York; the highlights of his
illustrious career are full of fighting for more than victory in the
boxing ring; and

WHEREAS, Bomber Brown Joe Louis died on April 12, 1981, at the age
of 66, in Paradise, Nevada; and

WHEREAS, An exceptional competitor, Joe Louis was a renowned legend
in the sport of professional boxing; his character and accomplishments
stand as a sterling example and inspiration to all who would aspire to
succeed; he is 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 life and accomplishments of legendary Boxing Great Joe
Louis, and to express its deepest condolences to his family; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Joe Louis.