[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 24, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H8253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                        TRIBUTE TO MUHAMMAD ALI

  (Mr. WARD asked amd was given permission to address the house for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate a beautiful moment 
that will stay with me forever. Last Friday night, my family, and I 
watched the opening of the Olympic games. It was a wonderful spectacle 
of color, music, people, and culture.
  The great surprise of the evening, however, was watching probably the 
world's most famous American, Muhammad Ali, mark the official beginning 
with the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic torch. We could not be 
prouder to have such a great sports figure calling Louisville home.
  Muhammad Ali is a role model for us all. He used his talent along 
with fierce determination to become the best boxer in the world, proved 
in 1960 as he won an Olympic Gold Medal and proven in his professional 
career as he remains the only man to hold the boxing heavyweight crown 
on three separate occasions.
  As he struggles under the grip of Parkinson's disease, he remains a 
role model. He stood tall and proud while lighting the flame, accepting 
this physical burden with the dignity and grace he has exhibited for 
his entire career.
  He truly is the greatest.

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