[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 129 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE MULTI-TALENTED SUGAR RAY ROBINSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2005

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor the esteemed 
boxer Sugar Ray Robinson for his positive impact on the athletic world 
as one of the greatest boxers of all time, and to honor his service as 
a role model with an extraordinary positive influence on his community. 
Sugar Ray Robinson was a prime example of an American role model, a man 
from an era where blacks were seen and treated as second class citizens 
and he focused on his talent in order to achieve greatness, the story 
of a true hero. At a time when African American youth did not have 
African American icons to idolize; Sugar Ray more than filled this 
void, by being an enormous boxing influence to a variety of African 
American children, some of whom became Muhammad Ali, and Sugar Ray 
Leonard whom even took Robinson's nickname. He gave these kids 
something to believe in and something to be proud of.
  The phrase ``pound for pound the best'' was coined in honor of Sugar 
Ray's boxing success, and has been used to reference successful boxers 
ever since. Walker ``Sugar Ray'' Smith was born in Detroit, Michigan in 
1921. He began boxing as an amateur in New York City, where he quickly 
advanced to the professional circuit in 1940. New York has always been 
a tough city and to make it there as Sugar Ray Robinson did, you have 
to be among the best of the best. From 1946 to 1951 he became the world 
welterweight champion and the world middleweight title holder. Sugar 
Ray's athletic ability clearly outmatched his opponents, fight after 
fight. A fierce competitor, Sugar Ray's final record was an utterly 
amazing 174 wins, 109 of them being knockouts, and only 19 losses and 6 
draws; this being a remarkable testament to Sugar Ray's amazing 
athletic accomplishments within the boxing circuit.
  Sugar Ray Robinson was a Renaissance man; he did not restrict himself 
to solely boxing and athletics. He used his fame as keys to experiment 
in the musical world and also acting. Nevertheless his fame is 
attributed to his remarkable achievements in his boxing. He was one of 
the first athletic stars to cross over into different mediums of public 
spotlight. Sugar was known for his huge entourages and public displays 
of success, truly a man who enjoyed the life he lived. He showed 
generations of young African Americans that raw physical talent was not 
enough. Skill, ability and education were also important.
  In 1989 Sugar Ray Robinson died a month before his birthday, leaving 
behind a plethora of fans, along with countless influences and friends. 
Sugar Ray Robinson represented hope and optimism for the African 
American community during an era of blatant and systematic racial 
oppression. He aided in racial relations in athletics while giving 
African Americans a sense of pride as an example of African American 
perseverance and strength over the negative barriers. Sugar Ray broke 
these barriers, charging forward for his people to be seen, to be 
respected and to be loved. It was a fight to show that African American 
people were not inferior and should be granted equal opportunity.
  The African American hero, the American idol, Sugar Ray Robinson 
showed the American people a black man that was a powerful warrior, and 
clearly the best of his time in and out of the ring. I have 
reintroduced legislation in the 109th Congress to recognize the stellar 
career of Sugar Ray Robinson. It is an honor which Sugar Ray Robinson 
very well deserves and I truly hope my colleagues will join me in this 
effort.

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