[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 319 Agreed to Senate (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.
                                 <all>