WASHINGTON, D.C. — A resolution introduced by Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, honoring the life and achievements of Muhammad Ali following his death last Friday evening was passed by the Senate June 10 by voice vote.
“Like so many Americans, Muhammad Ali was one of my greatest heroes. He taught us to live as God created us to: not to fit in but to stand out, not to be a dull carbon copy of others but to be unapologetically original, not to go along with the world as it is but to fight to make it better, more just, more loving,” Booker said. “He was a champion unbound by the boxing ring. As we remember this man of tenacious principle, I am pleased to join Sen. Hatch in honoring his legacy through this resolution.”
“Ali was the Greatest because—as an ailing yet unbroken champion in his later years—he pointed us to a greatness beyond ourselves, a greatness beyond even Ali,” Hatch said. “He pointed us to the greatness of God. I am eternally grateful for my special bond with this special man, and for my friendship with his beloved wife Lonnie, who was his dedicated companion to the very end. I pray that Ali may now rest peacefully in the presence of the Greatest of all, our God.”
The full text of the resolution, as introduced in the Senate, is below:
Resolution:
Honoring the life and achievements of Muhammad Ali.
Whereas Muhammad Ali was an Olympic gold medalist;
Whereas the athletic legacy of Muhammad Ali is cemented by a 21-year professional career amid a golden age of boxing, in which he amassed a record of 56–5 with 37 knockouts;
Whereas Muhammad Ali was the first individual ever to capture the World Heavyweight Title 3 times;
Whereas Muhammad Ali memorably recaptured the world title in the ‘‘Rumble in the Jungle’’ on October 30, 1974, when he knocked out then-undefeated World Heavyweight Champion George Foreman;
Whereas Muhammad Ali successfully defended his title 10 times, perhaps most famously during the ‘‘Thrilla in Manila’’ on October 1, 1975;
Whereas Muhammad Ali showed, beyond his impressive fighting prowess in the boxing ring, even greater courage and tenacity as an advocate outside the ring;
Whereas Muhammad Ali was a great philanthropist and a widely recognized advocate of peace, equality, and freedom;
Whereas Muhammad Ali remains an icon of freedom of conscience;
Whereas Muhammad Ali was a prominent African American of the Muslim faith, and was and continues to be a role model to the citizens of the United States of all races, ethnicities, and religions;
Whereas Muhammad Ali used his fame to advocate for humanitarian causes in audiences with world leaders, such as Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama, and multiple presidents of the United States; and
Whereas Muhammad Ali inspired people around the globe in displaying the same vibrant and larger-than-life character and dedication in spite of his physical ailments: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate honors the life of Muhammad Ali and his achievements as an athlete, philanthropist, and humanitarian.
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