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					UNOFFICIAL COPY AS OF 04/17/10         00 REG. SESS.                        00 RS BR 1470

       A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor of the greatest athlete of all time,

Kentucky native Muhammad Ali.

       The sounds of a clanging bell and the cheering screams of adoring fans still echo

softly in our ears, invoking images of a smoky haze rising above a boxing ring, and as the

haze begins to clear we see the greatest athlete of all time. That athlete is Kentucky's

native son Muhammad Ali, and we gather today to recognize his unique and selfless

contributions both within and without the world of sports.

       WHEREAS, the Commonwealth was deeply blessed on January 17, 1942, when
Marcellus and Odessa Clay of Louisville, Kentucky, became the proud parents of Cassius

Marcellus Clay; and

       WHEREAS, Cassius Marcellus Clay, a deeply religious man and known to all as

Muhammad Ali, began his boxing career at the age of twelve in Louisville; and

       WHEREAS, the amateur highlights of Muhammad Ali's prestigious career include

winning the Chicago Golden Gloves Award in 1958, 1959 and 1960, as well as the

National AAU Light-Heavyweight Championship in 1959 and 1960; and

       WHEREAS, 1960 found Muhammad Ali selected to represent the United States on

the Olympic Team by winning the Olympic Trials as a light-heavyweight and culminating

at the Rome Olympics, where he won the gold medal for boxing in the Light-

Heavyweight Division; and

       WHEREAS, 1960 was the beginning of Muhammad Ali's impressive professional

career that spanned over two decades and amassed a professional record of 56 wins, 5

defeats, 0 draws and 37 of the 56 wins coming by way of knocking out his opponents; and

       WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali was a magnificently graceful man in the ring with

darting hands and the quickest feet ever owned by a heavyweight; and

       WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali exuded a depth of bravery never seen before or since
in the world of boxing, often remaining in a bout on the strength of his chin where he

absorbed terrible punishment from adversaries like Sonny Liston, Floyd Patterson,

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George Foreman, and Joe Frazier, punishment that would have vanquished lesser fighters

yet Ali was the triumphant victor; and

       WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali's power and strength came from a greater reservoir of

spirituality, else it could not have been as enduring, but the majesty he commanded in the

ring and the beauty he brought to the sport were pure Ali; and

       WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali, who always strived for physical and professional

perfection, became the first fighter to ever win the Heavyweight title three times -- a feat

he accomplished at age 22, 32, and 36 -- and few are that skilled and as determined to
realize their goals in life; and

       WHEREAS, the accolades bestowed upon Muhammad Ali are endless, evidenced

by the fact that, retired from boxing for almost twenty years, he was recently named

Sports Illustrated's Athlete of the Century, Kentucky's Athlete of the Century by the

Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame, USA TODAY'S Athlete of the Century, Athlete of the

Century by NBC, and Europe's Athlete of the Century; and

       WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali revolutionized boxing with his style, grace, and

poetry, yet his devotion to the sport and his accomplishments in the ring pale in

comparison to his humanitarian work around the world, evidenced by his recognition as a

"Messenger of Peace" by the United Nations; and

       WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali embodies the principle that there are those who give

with joy and that joy is their reward, for his love for all peoples is boundless; and

       WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali has given the world so much yet knew not that he had

given of himself at all; and

       WHEREAS, to quote Muhammad Ali's beloved wife Lonnie, he has dedicated his

life to peace, tolerance, healing and helping children -- and helping young people

understand they can be anything they wish to be regardless of any obstacles; and
       WHEREAS, the Commonwealth cannot adequately express the pride its citizens

feel for Muhammad Ali, who is a cherished hero to millions and who luckily is our native

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son; and

       WHEREAS, Muhammad Ali lit the Olympic torch in Atlanta during the 1996

Olympics, but he lights the yearning in the soul of every person he encounters to strive for

perfection and greatness; and

       WHEREAS, from Fulton County in the West to Pike County in the East, Covington

in the North to Gamaliel in the South, one unanimous refrain resounds from all

Kentuckians -- Thank You, Muhammad Ali, you truly are "The Greatest";


Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of

       Section 1. The members of the Senate, both individually and collectively, extend

their sincere appreciation to Muhammad Ali for his lifetime role of goodwill ambassador

of the Bluegrass State to the world.

       Section 2. The Senate does hereby proclaim Muhammad Ali to be an outstanding

Kentuckian and an exemplary representative of the Commonwealth.

       Section 3.   When the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of

Kentucky adjourns this day it does so in honor of the greatest athlete of all time,

Muhammad Ali.

       Section 4. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution

to Muhammad Ali.

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