[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF JOHNNY KILBANE

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 29, 2012

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and memory of 
Cleveland's Boxing Champion, Johnny Kilbane, on the occasion of the 
hundredth anniversary of his attainment of the title of World 
Featherweight Championship.
  Johnny Kilbane was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 9th, 1889. He 
began his ascent into the boxing world at age eighteen with his first 
fight in the featherweight division. Throughout his career, Johnny 
fought in over 140 fights--resulting in 46 victories, 79 no decisions 
and only four losses. On February 22, 1912, in a 20 rounder in Vernon, 
California, Johnny Kilbane won his first world title in a fight against 
Abe Attell. The fight was for the World Featherweight Championship, a 
title he would hold from 1912 to 1923. Kilbane is believed to have held 
that title for the longest uninterrupted reign in boxing history.
  A Cleveland local, Kilbane held a number of positions after he 
retired from the boxing world. During World War II, he worked as a 
boxing instructor at Camp Gordon in Georgia, Camp Sherman in Ohio, and 
Camp Custer in Michigan. He was also a boxing referee and instructor at 
local high schools. He operated a training club in Vermillion.
  Johnny transitioned into politics as well, and was elected to the 
Ohio State Senate in 1941. He also held office as a State 
Representative, and was elected to the Municipal Court Clerk's Office 
in 1951, a role which he served until his death in 1957.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the life of 
Johnny Kilbane and the 100th anniversary of his achievement of the 
title of World Featherweight Championship.

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