The New York City Council - File #: Res 0764-2019

• File #: Res 0764-2019
• Version: *
• Name: Declaring January 17th as Muhammad Ali Day in the city of NY.
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Filed (End of Session)
• Committee: Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations
• On agenda: 2/28/2019
• Title: Resolution declaring January 17th as Muhammad Ali Day in the city of New York.
• Sponsors: Mathieu Eugene, Robert F. Holden
• Council Member Sponsors: 2

Date	Ver.	Prime Sponsor	Action By	Action	Result
12/31/2021	*	Mathieu Eugene	City Council	Filed (End of Session)
2/28/2019	*	Mathieu Eugene	City Council	Referred to Comm by Council
2/28/2019	*	Mathieu Eugene	City Council	Introduced by Council

Res. No. 764

Resolution declaring January 17^th as Muhammad Ali Day in the city of New York.

By Council Members Eugene and Holden

Whereas, Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., was born on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali was a historically great boxer, accumulating a record of 56 wins and five losses including 37 knockouts, a gold medal in the 1960 Olympic Games, and multiple world heavyweight titles and successful title defenses; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali was a powerful voice against racial inequality and injustice by boldly speaking his mind and unapologetically stating his personal opinions, including the famous phrase “black is beautiful”, unheard of at the time for black men; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali’s conscientious objection to being drafted for the Vietnam War marked a turning point for civil rights movements across the United States and further increased his status as a voice for civil rights; and

Whereas, In 2005 Muhammad Ali was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work as a cultural figure and activist; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali was a leading advocate for individuals suffering from Parkinson’s disease after contracting the illness himself, sharing his personal struggles with the disease and attracting unprecedented attention and funding for Parkinson’s disease until ultimately passing away from it on June 3, 2016; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali was named both the BBC’s and Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Century” in 1999; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali holds unique significance in New York City, training for his first and historic heavyweight championship title against heavy favorite Sonny Liston at Gleason’s Gym in the Bronx; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali fought historic bouts such as “The Fight of the Century” in venues across New York City, including Madison Square Garden and Yankee Stadium; and

Whereas, Muhammad Ali conducted many of his philanthropic efforts in Harlem and in fundraisers all across New York City, frequently donating money and inviting schools to watch his matches; and

Whereas, The declaration of January 17^th as Muhammad Ali day will remind Americans of valuable history and the state of our society, as well as celebrate and commemorate a man who was and continues to be a role model and icon for New Yorkers; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York declares January 17^th as Muhammad Ali Day in the city of New York.

CK/MB

LS # 3489

2/15/2019
12:20 PM