[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 17, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING MUHAMMAD ALI ON HIS 65TH BIRTHDAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man known as 
``The Greatest,'' Muhammad Ali on the occasion of his 65th birthday. We 
passed the legislation today, but unfortunately I didn't have a chance 
to speak. Those that know me know that I am a huge boxing fan, and 
Muhammad Ali is certainly one of the reasons why I enjoy the sport so 
much.
  I can recall watching his fights and being in awe of his style and 
gracefulness in the ring. He was a masterful self-promoter, and won 
over throngs of fans and media alike with his charm and charisma. But 
it is his undeniable skill that kept him at the top of his game. His 
style is something that has often been imitated but never duplicated.
  Muhammad Ali defeated almost every top heavyweight in his era, an era 
which has been called the Golden Age of Heavyweight Boxing. Ali was 
named ``Fighter of the Year'' by Ring Magazine more times than any 
other fighter and was involved in Ring Magazine ``Fight of the Year'' 
bouts more than any other fighter.
  He is an inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and 
holds wins over seven other Hall of Fame inductions. He is also one of 
only three boxers to be named ``Sportsman of the Year'' by Sports 
Illustrated.
  But Muhammad Ali was more than an athlete, he was a revolutionary. He 
was a man that was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in. His 
prowess in the ring pales in comparison to his character and integrity 
as a human being. He refused to fight in the Vietnam war, famously 
stating, ``I ain't got no quarrel with those Vietcong.'' His actions 
led to his banishment from boxing in the United States and forced him 
to fight abroad.
  Near the end of 1967, Ali was stripped of his title by the 
Professional Boxing Commission and would not be allowed to fight 
professionally for more than 3 years. He was also convicted for 
refusing induction into the Army and sentenced to 5 years in prison. 
Over the course of those years in exile, Ali fought to appeal his 
conviction. He stayed in the public spotlight and supported himself by 
giving speeches, primarily at rallies on college campuses, that opposed 
the Vietnam war. In 1970, he was allowed to fight again, and in late 
1971 the Supreme Court reversed his convictions.
  When I was a law student at Case Western Reserve University, Muhammad 
Ali was scheduled to speak. I was driving down the street in this 
little boxcar, and I looked out my window to the right, and who was 
walking down the street but Muhammad Ali. I rolled my window down in my 
modest way and said, ``What are you doing walking down the street? Get 
in my car.''
  Muhammad Ali got in my car.
  I had two little boys in the back seat, and throughout the ride to 
the campus he recited poetry to these two young men.
  When we arrived at campus, I said, ``Mr. Ali, do you have a ride back 
to the airport?''
  He said, ``No.''
  I said, ``Now you do. You've got a ride.''
  So he spoke. We drove the young people home to their parents. One 
little boy got out of the car and ran up to the house and said, 
``Mommy, mommy, guess who is in the car? Muhammad Ali.''
  That mom slapped the little boy and said, ``Stop lying and get in 
this house.''
  Muhammad Ali gets out of the house and goes to the door and knocks on 
the door, and the mother almost fainted.
  So then I drive him back to the airport.
  That was such a wonderful experience, to see this man of such great 
talent spend so much time with these young people.
  I will never forget the opportunities that I had to meet Muhammad 
Ali. On another occasion he came to speak in Cleveland connected with 
Warith Deen Muhammad, the son of Elijah Muhammad. But Mr. Speaker, it 
is such a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the life of the man known 
as ``The Greatest,'' Muhammad Ali.

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