SRES 319 ATS
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 319
Honoring the life and legacy of Joe Frazier.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
November 9, 2011
Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. CASEY, and Mr. MCCAIN) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and legacy of Joe Frazier.
Whereas boxing legend ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier lost a battle with liver cancer on November 7, 2011;
Whereas, with the passing of Joe Frazier, the State of South Carolina and the United States lost 1 of the greatest heavyweight boxing champions of the modern era;
Whereas Joe Frazier was born on January 12, 1944, to a farmer in Beaufort, South Carolina;
Whereas, in Beaufort, South Carolina, Joe Frazier discovered the passion for boxing that would ultimately lead him to greatness;
Whereas Joe Frazier left his childhood home and began to work in a meat packing company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
Whereas Joe Frazier trained in a Philadelphia Police Athletic League gymnasium to prepare for his first amateur fights;
Whereas, in 1964, Joe Frazier became the only United States athlete to win an Olympic gold medal for boxing during the Summer Olympic Games in Japan, despite breaking a thumb and fighting with a broken hand;
Whereas, upon becoming a professional boxer in 1965, Joe Frazier was known for having a powerful left hook, which led Frazier to defeat his first 11 opponents;
Whereas Joe Frazier defeated Jimmy Ellis, the World Boxing Association heavyweight champion, in 1970 and held the heavyweight title until 1973;
Whereas, on March 8, 1971 in Madison Square Garden, Joe Frazier became the first boxer to defeat Muhammad Ali, throwing a devastating left hook in the 15th round that ultimately led to a victory by decision;
Whereas, in 1971, Joe Frazier became the first African-American man since the Civil War to address the South Carolina State Legislature in Columbia, South Carolina;
Whereas, in 1975, arch-rivals Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali met in the ‘Thrilla in Manilla’ for the third and final fight between the two men, and a battered, bruised, and nearly blind Frazier lost by technical knockout when his trainer pulled him from the fight in the 14th round;
Whereas, after retiring from boxing, Joe Frazier mentored youth boxers in Philadelphia and encouraged the boxers to lead productive lives and avoid violence;
Whereas Joe Frazier personified the fighting spirit of the city of Philadelphia;
Whereas Joe Frazier was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990;
Whereas Joe Frazier finished his boxing career with 32 wins, of which 27 were knockouts, 4 losses, and 1 draw; and
Whereas ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier epitomized 1 of the greatest eras in boxing, rising from humble origins on a South Carolina farm to become the heavyweight boxing world champion, and inspiring a generation of Americans: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) mourns the loss of Joe Frazier;
(2) honors the life and accomplishments of Joe Frazier, an American champion and a world renowned boxing legend; and
(3) offers the deepest condolences of the Senate to the family of Joe Frazier.
U.S. Congress - Text of S.Res.319 as Agreed to Senate A resolution honoring the life and legacy of Joe Frazier.
