[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE LIFE OF FLOYD PATTERSON, A HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION WHO ROSE 
                              FROM POVERTY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2006

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor the life of Floyd 
Patterson, a soft-spoken boxer who overcame a troubled childhood to 
become the heavyweight champion of the world.
  Born on January 4, 1935 in Waco, North Carolina, Patterson grew up 
poor in Brooklyn, New York. Patterson's father was a manual laborer and 
his mother took care of Patterson and his 10 siblings. He had serious 
learning disabilities and could not read, write, or speak. At age 11, 
his mother had him committed to a school for emotionally disturbed 
boys. It was at this school where Patterson first picked up a pair of 
boxing gloves.
  At age 16, Patterson won the New York Golden Gloves middleweight 
title at Madison Square Garden and at age 17, he won a gold medal as a 
middleweight at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki. On November 30, 
1956, Patterson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at 
the age of 21.
  Throughout his professional career, Patterson amassed a record of 55 
wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw. His total earnings from boxing reached $8 
million. Despite his talent in the boxing ring, Patterson was known as 
a gentle and sweet man. Red Smith, The New York Times sports columnist 
called him, ``the man of peace who loves to fight.''
  After retiring, Patterson remained in boxing and opened up a gym. He 
took interest in young boxers, especially a troubled 11-year-old who 
reminded Patterson of himself. He eventually adopted the boy and became 
his trainer and manager. The special order organized by Representative 
Stephanie Tubbs Jones is an appropriate way to celebrate and honor this 
model human being.

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