[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E84]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REINTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO AWARD THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO 
             HUMANITARIAN AND SPORTING LEGEND MUHAMMAD ALI

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                           HON. ANDRE CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2023

  Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, as we kick off the start of Black History 
Month, I am proud to reintroduce legislation to award the Congressional 
Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali in recognition of his contributions to our 
Nation. l believe it is long past time to recognize this American civil 
rights activist and sporting legend with Congress' highest honor. 
Sadly, we were unable to act swiftly enough to honor him prior to his 
passing at age 74 in 2016, so that is why I am asking my colleagues to 
join me now in honoring an American hero. Over the course of his 
illustrious career, Muhammad Ali produced some of our Nation's most 
lasting and impactful sports memories. From winning a Gold Medal at the 
1960 Summer Olympics, to lighting the Olympic torch at the 1996 Summer 
Olympics, his influence as an athlete and a humanitarian spanned over 
50 years.
  Despite having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the 1980s, 
Ali devoted his life to charitable endeavors. Ali, and his wife Lonnie 
were founding directors of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center and 
Movement Disorders Clinic in Phoenix, AZ and helped raise over $50 
million for Parkinson's research. In addition to helping families cope 
with illness, Ali led efforts to provide meals for the hungry and 
helped countless organizations such as the Make-A-Wish-Foundation and 
the Special Olympics.
  Muhammad Ali's humanitarian efforts went beyond his charitable 
activities in the United States. In 1990 Muhammad Ali travelled to the 
Middle East to seek the release of American and British hostages who 
were being held as human shields in the first Gulf War. After his 
intervention, 15 hostages were freed. Thanks to his devotion to 
diplomatic causes and racial harmony, Ali was the recipient of many 
accolades, including being chosen as a ``U.N. Messenger of Peace'' in 
1998 and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 from 
President Bush.
  Through his unyielding dedication to his sport and to struggling 
populations around the world, Muhammad Ali still serves an example of 
service and self-sacrifice for generations of Americans. The 
Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting commemoration of his life and 
work, for which he is deservingly known as ``the Greatest.''
  Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing one of 
our Nation's most lasting and influential figures by signing on to this 
important legislation.

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