[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E743-E744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      PAYING TRIBUTE TO TONY ZALE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 1997

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today 
to pay tribute to a truly remarkable man, Mr. Tony Zale. Tony passed 
away on March 20, 1997, in Portage, IN, at the age of 83. He was a man 
well known for his accomplishments as a champion boxer, contributions 
to his community, and devotion to his friends and family.
  Tony was a champion boxer, fittingly remembered as ``the Man of 
Steel'' for both his steel-like ability to withstand and deliver 
powerful blows in the boxing ring, and his association with a city 
priding itself on its massive steel production. A native of Gary, IN, 
Tony began his successful boxing career in 1934 upon leaving his job as 
a steelworker at age 21. After experiencing a string of losses early in 
his career, Tony Zale first displayed his extraordinary desire to 
achieve when he returned to steel work at U.S. Steel in 1935. Willingly 
accepting the most physically challenging jobs in the mill, Tony 
returned to boxing in 1937 with a renewed confidence and a physique so 
muscular it was renowned to be ``metallic.'' Shortly thereafter, Mr. 
Zale's ambition of becoming a champion boxer was fulfilled when he 
defeated the National Boxing Association champion in July 1940. In 
1941, Tony earned universal recognition as a world titleholder as he 
defeated World Middleweight Champion, Georgie Abrams. When returning 
from his service with the U.S. Navy in 1945, Tony faced his most 
dangerous challenger, Rocky Graziano, for what would be the first of 
three brutal matches. Winning the first match, losing the second, and 
then regaining his title in the third, Tony Zale forever marked his 
place in history as a champion boxer during the epic Zale-Graziano 
fights. When Tony retired from boxing in 1948, he left the profession 
with the accomplishment of fighting and beating every contender in the 
middleweight division during his championship reign from 1941 through 
1948. During the 1950's Tony Zale was inducted into the World Boxing 
Hall of Fame.
  Tony put forth the same effort and dedication bettering the community 
in which he lived as he did during his boxing career. After retiring 
from boxing, Tony coached at the Chicago Park District youth boxing 
program, where he taught children the fundamentals of boxing, as

[[Page E744]]

well as the fundamentals of living a good, clean life. Tony was a man 
devoted to teaching children the importance of education, and a coach 
remembered for his willingness to offer guidance both inside and 
outside of the ring. Other community service initiatives in which he 
participated include serving as a Catholic Youth Organization boxing 
coach, promoting youth boxing tournaments, and visiting with polio 
patients. Tony Zale was honored for his efforts in October 1990, when 
President George Bush presented him with the Presidential Citizen's 
Medal.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in paying tribute to Mr. Tony Zale. His children, Mary Medeiros and 
Theresa Gassis, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, can all be proud 
of his professional accomplishments, as well as his commitment to 
improving the quality of life for the residents of Indiana's First 
Congressional District. Tony Zale will always be remembered as a true 
leader and will remain a role model for generations to come.

                          ____________________