PRINTER'S NO. 3591
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
945
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY V. BROWN, COOK-ARTIS, COHEN, BURNS, REGAN,
KIRKLAND, VEREB, TOOHIL, BIZZARRO, SCHLOSSBERG, NEILSON,
MACKENZIE, BARRAR, MUSTIO, READSHAW, KINSEY, MAHONEY,
MILLARD, PAYNE, WHEELAND, W. KELLER, STURLA, McNEILL, MURT,
MAJOR, YOUNGBLOOD, SAVAGE, EVERETT, GINGRICH, DeLUCA, ELLIS,
ROEBUCK AND DONATUCCI, JUNE 22, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 22, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life, legacy and contributions of legendary boxer,
civil rights activist and humanitarian icon Muhammad Ali and
expressing condolences on his passing.
WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali, 74, passed away June 3, 2016,
surrounded by his family in Scottsdale, Arizona, following a 32-
year struggle with Parkinson's disease; and
WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.,
on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky; and
WHEREAS, Cassius Clay began boxing at age 12 to avenge the
theft of his new bicycle and soon became dedicated to the sport,
training with incredible fervor; and
WHEREAS, At age 18, Mr. Clay began his journey toward
greatness by earning a gold medal in the Light Heavyweight
Boxing Division at the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics; and
WHEREAS, Shortly after beating the odds to become Heavyweight
Champion of the World in 1964, Mr. Clay announced to the world
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that he was a member of the Nation of Islam and that his name
was Muhammad Ali; and
WHEREAS, When Muhammad Ali spoke out against the Vietnam War
and refused to be drafted in 1966, he was stripped of his
championship titles, passport and boxing license and faced the
possibility of imprisonment; and
WHEREAS, For nearly four years during his prime, Muhammad Ali
was forced into retirement from boxing; and
WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali earned a living by speaking at colleges
until the United States Supreme Court upheld his claim as a
conscientious objector in 1971; and
WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali trained for his comeback at a mink farm
near Reading, Pennsylvania, and established his permanent
training camp at Deer Lake, Schuylkill County, where he found
peace and solitude; and
WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali reclaimed the world heavyweight title
in 1974 from George Foreman in "The Rumble in the Jungle" in
Kinshasa, Zaire, with his legendary speed, agility and
braggadocio; and
WHEREAS, For a brief time, Muhammad Ali took up residence in
the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection during his
time as a homeowner in the Overbrook Farms section of
Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, What truly made Muhammad Ali "The Greatest" was his
post-boxing career and life, particularly his extraordinary
efforts on behalf of disability rights, global diplomacy and
Parkinson's disease; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his Olympic gold medal and his boxing
record of 56 wins, 5 losses and 37 knockouts, Muhammad Ali was
awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom; and
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WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali was named Sports Illustrated Sportsman
of the Century and has been featured on 40 Sports Illustrated
covers; and
WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali earned the privilege of lighting the
Olympic cauldron at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta and
was appointed by the United Nations as its Messenger of Peace in
1998; and
WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali lived with integrity, confidence and
compassion throughout his life, inspiring millions with his
example; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania honor the life and memory of
Muhammad Ali and extend condolences to his family, friends and
admirers; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the family of Muhammad Ali in care of the Muhammad Ali Center,
144 North 6th Street, Louisville, KY 40202.
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