GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2015

H D

HOUSE SIMPLE RESOLUTION DRHR40661-LG-175 (06/08)

Sponsors:	Representatives B. Richardson, Baskerville, Michaux, and L. Hall (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to:

A HOUSE RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of muhammad ali.

Whereas, Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Cassius Clay, Sr., and Odessa Clay; and

Whereas, at the age of 12, Cassius Clay, Jr., began boxing after being encouraged to do so by Joe Martin, a police officer and boxing coach; and

Whereas, as an amateur, Cassius Clay, Jr., amassed an impressive record, which included six state Golden Gloves titles, two national light heavyweight titles, and the light heavyweight gold medal during the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome; and

Whereas, on February 25, 1964, Cassius Clay, Jr., defeated Sonny Liston to become the world heavyweight champion; and

Whereas, in March 1964, Cassius Clay, Jr., joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali; and

Whereas, on April 28, 1967, Muhammad Ali was stripped of his boxing title and barred from competing after he declared conscientious objector status to the Vietnam War on religious and moral grounds; and

Whereas, in 1971, the United States Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, confirmed Muhammad Ali's conscientious objector status, which allowed his boxing license to be reinstated and cleared him of any wrongdoing; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali went on to win two more world heavyweight titles, becoming the first professional boxer in history to capture the heavyweight title three separate times; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali retired from professional boxing in 1981 with a professional record of 56‑5, including 37 knockouts; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease around 1984 but, despite his illness, continued to dedicate his life to civil rights, humanitarian causes, and world peace; and

Whereas, during the 1980s, President Jimmy Carter asked Muhammad Ali to meet with African leaders in Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Liberia, and Senegal as part of the President's diplomatic efforts on behalf of human rights; and

Whereas, in 1990, Muhammad Ali traveled to the Middle East to seek the release of American and British hostages that were being held as human shields in the first Gulf War, resulting in the release of 15 American hostages; and

Whereas, in 1996, Muhammad Ali was chosen to light the Olympic flame at the 24th Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia; and

Whereas, in 1998, Muhammad Ali served as the "U.N. Messenger of Peace"; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali supported many organizations, including the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation; the Special Olympics' organization, Best Buddies; and Herbert E. Birch Services, an organization that runs a school for handicapped children and young adults and a summer camp for children with AIDS; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali and his wife, Lonnie, founded the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Phoenix, Arizona, and helped to raise millions of dollars for Parkinson's research; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali also helped to establish the Muhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, to preserve and share his legacy and ideals, to promote respect, hope, and understanding, and to inspire adults and children everywhere to be as great as they can be; and

Whereas, while he was physically able, Muhammad Ali traveled extensively for humanitarian causes and helped to provide over 22,000,000 aid packets to assist those in need around the world; and

Whereas, some of Muhammad Ali's awards and honors include: the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Award; the Spirit of America Award; the Amnesty International Lifetime Achievement Award; the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage; the Essence Living Legend Award; several honorary degrees; and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was presented to him by President George W. Bush in 2005; and

Whereas, in 2005, Muhammad Ali also received the prestigious "Otto Hahn Peace Medal in Gold" from the United Nations Association of Germany for his civil rights work and his work with the United Nations; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali was named "Sportsman of the Century" by Sports Illustrated magazine; "Athlete of the Century" by GQ magazine; "Sports Personality of the Century" by the British Broadcasting Corporation; and "Boxer of the Century" by the World Sports Awards of the Century; and

Whereas, in 1990, Muhammad Ali was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali died on June 3, 2016, at the age of 74; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali is survived by wife, Yolanda "Lonnie" Ali, nine children, and a number of grandchildren; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali was one of the most beloved athletes and personalities the world has ever known, and he was simply the "Greatest of All Time (GOAT)" to his millions of admirers and fans; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

SECTION 1. The House of Representatives honors the memory of Muhammad Ali, former world heavyweight champion boxer, civil rights activist, and advocate for Parkinson's research, and expresses its appreciation for his life and service to others.

SECTION 2. The House of Representatives extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Muhammad Ali for the loss of a beloved family member.

SECTION 3. The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Muhammad Ali.

SECTION 4. This resolution is effective upon adoption.