[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 1455-1459]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING MUHAMMAD ALI ON HIS 65TH BIRTHDAY

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 58) to honor Muhammad Ali, global 
humanitarian, on the occasion of his 65th birthday and to extend best 
wishes to him and his family.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H. Res. 58

       Whereas Muhammad Ali is a retired American boxer;
       Whereas Ali was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 
     17, 1942, and was named Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. after his 
     father, Cassius Marcellus Clay, Sr., (who was named for the 
     19th century abolitionist and politician Cassius Clay);
       Whereas Ali later changed his name after joining the Nation 
     of Islam and subsequently converted to Sunni Islam in 1975;
       Whereas in 1999, Ali was crowned ``Sportsman of the 
     Century'' by Sports Illustrated, won the World Heavyweight 
     Boxing championship 3 times, and won the North American 
     Boxing Federation championship and an Olympic gold medal;
       Whereas on September 13, 1999, Ali was named ``Kentucky 
     Athlete of the Century'' by the Kentucky Athletic Hall of 
     Fame in ceremonies at the Galt House East;
       Whereas Ali received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a 
     White House ceremony on November 9, 2005, and the prestigious 
     ``Otto Hahn peace medal in Gold'' of the United Nations 
     Association of Germany in Berlin on December 17, 2005, for 
     his work with the United States civil rights movement and the 
     United Nations;
       Whereas since he retired from boxing, Ali has devoted 
     himself to humanitarian endeavors around the globe;
       Whereas Ali is a devout Sunni Muslim and travels the world 
     over, working for hunger and poverty relief, supporting 
     education efforts of all kinds, promoting adoption, and 
     encouraging people to respect and better understand one 
     another;
       Whereas it is estimated that Ali has helped to provide more 
     than 22,000,000 meals to feed the hungry and travels, on 
     average, more than 200 days per year;
       Whereas through his perseverance and the support of 
     thousands Ali has continued his legacy of humanity through 
     the establishment of the Muhammad Ali Center in his hometown 
     of Louisville, Kentucky;
       Whereas on November 19, 2005, Ali's 19th wedding 
     anniversary, the $60,000,000 nonprofit Muhammad Ali Center 
     opened in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, displaying his 
     boxing memorabilia, the center focuses on core themes of 
     peace, social responsibility, respect, and personal growth;
       Whereas the Ali Center is much more than a place that tells 
     the story of one man's journey, the Ali Center reaches beyond 
     its physical walls to fulfill its mission: to preserve and 
     share the legacy and ideals of Muhammad Ali, to promote 
     respect, hope, and understanding, and to inspire adults and 
     children everywhere to be as great as they can be;
       Whereas the onsite visitor experience incorporates as 
     organizing elements, 6 prevailing core values of Ali's life: 
     respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, and 
     spirituality;
       Whereas these theme-based pavilions all feature dramatic 
     media presentations and interactive exhibits that help 
     illustrate the ``hows'' of Ali's life: how he found the 
     courage, the dedication, and the discipline to become who he 
     is today, how he found the conviction to stand up for what he 
     believed, and how he turned his passion for excellence in the 
     ring to a passion for peace on the world stage;
       Whereas like Muhammad Ali himself, the Muhammad Ali Center 
     focuses on what brings individuals together, not what sets 
     them apart and is a ``global gathering place'' where people 
     can come--both online and in person--to learn, share, 
     celebrate our commonalities as human beings, and formulate 
     ways of advancing humanity today and in the future;
       Whereas the Muhammad Ali Center's educational goals include 
     various delivery methods and incorporate a wide range of 
     topics, from respect, diversity, and personal discovery to 
     empowerment and conflict resolution; and
       Whereas ultimately, the Muhammad Ali Center's goal is to 
     make a profoundly significant contribution to the global 
     society: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives honors 
     Muhammad Ali, global humanitarian, on the occasion of his 
     65th birthday and extends best wishes to him and his family.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such 
time as she may consume to the author of H. Res. 58, the gentlewoman 
from the great State of Indiana (Ms. Carson).
  Ms. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the honorable gentleman from the 
State of Illinois for yielding, and to the Speaker, thank you very much 
for giving us this time to give honor where honor is due.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 65th birthday of a great 
American, the greatest of all time, and world humanitarian, Muhammad 
Ali.
  Quite frankly, as a little girl growing up, I didn't pay too much 
attention to the boxing arena of this great country. I just knew that 
men got in a ring with some gloves on and pounded each other, and 
whoever pounded the most won the title.
  Ali, like me, was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He was named Cassius 
Marcellus Clay after his father, who was named for the 19th century 
abolitionist and politician, Cassius Clay. Ali later changed his name 
after joining the Nation of Islam and subsequently converted to Sunni 
Islam in 1975.
  I remember as a younger person how awful I thought it was that this 
country would permit the stripping of a title so dutifully earned, the 
Heavyweight Boxing Championship of the World.
  Though Ali won the gold medal at the Rome Olympics in 1960, at the 
time the experts didn't think much of his boxing skills. Ali surprised 
the experts and won the world heavyweight title against Sonny Liston in 
1964. He won the world heavyweight boxing championship three times.

                              {time}  1100

  However, Ali proved to be a freedom fighter as well, protesting 
within his rights as an American citizen the Vietnam War and his draft 
by the government to serve in that war. I remember thinking Ali said, I 
am not mad at nobody and I am not going over to fight a war.
  The government prosecuted him for draft dodging, and the boxing 
commission took away his license. He was inactive from March 22, 1967, 
to October 26, 1970, idle for 3\1/2\ years at the peak of his career.
  In 1971, the Supreme Court ruled that the government had acted 
improperly, but Ali bore the commissions no ill will, even though he 
was a Sunni Muslim and he reminded you of Christ

[[Page 1456]]

being crucified on the cross and saying I will forgive them no matter 
what they do.
  Ali, like Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi of India and 
another great American, Martin Luther King, bore no bitterness against 
those that sought to oppress him and deny him the freedom to pursue 
happiness, even though the Constitution says the government shall not 
deprive based on race or religion against our citizens.
  Since his retirement from boxing, Ali has devoted himself to 
humanitarian endeavors around the globe.
  He is a devout Sunni Muslim and travels the world over, lending his 
name and presence to hunger and poverty relief, supporting education 
efforts of all kinds, promoting adoption and encouraging people to 
respect and better understand one another.
  It is estimated that he has helped to provide more than 22 million 
meals to feed the hungry around the world.
  Ali received a Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House 
ceremony in November 2005.
  The Ali Center reaches beyond its physical walls to fulfill its 
mission: to preserve and share the legacy and ideals of Muhammad Ali, 
to promote respect, hope and understanding, and to inspire adults and 
children everywhere to be as great as they can be.
  True greatness transcends the artificial boundaries of geography, 
gender, and race. True greatness rests in the hearts of men and women 
who believe in world peace and the humanity of every individual.
  How prophetic of a young Muhammad Ali when he declared, ``I am the 
greatest of all time.''
  Mr. Speaker, I would urge the House to support H. Res. 58 and honor 
the 65th birthday of this great American. Happy birthday, Muhammad Ali.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might 
consume.
  I rise in support of the resolution to honor Muhammad Ali on his 65th 
birthday. I can think of few people more deserving of this honor. Yes, 
he is the only three-time heavyweight champion of the world, as well as 
an Olympic gold medalist. Yes, he was crowned Athlete of the Century by 
Sports Illustrated, but Muhammad Ali is so much more than a boxer. He 
is a man who literally taught us another way to talk and think about 
sports and about life.
  We had never heard athletes put their work to rhyme before Ali vowed 
to ``float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.'' We had never seen 
an athlete so adept at the promotional aspects of his sport. Today we 
remember the names of his fights, the Rumble in the Jungle, the Thrilla 
in Manila, as much as the fights themselves.
  And when his career in the ring ended, we had never seen an athlete 
who moved so seamlessly, so dramatically, so thoroughly to put his fame 
to work for the public good. It was after he had hung up the gloves, 
remember, that Time magazine declared his the most recognizable face on 
Earth.
  He earned that sobriquet through his tireless struggles against 
hunger and poverty, he is said to have helped provide more than the 22 
million meals for the hungry, through his support for education, 
adoption and efforts to urge young people of diverse backgrounds to 
grow in their understanding of one another.
  Today, he continues his work for the betterment of all humanity 
through the Muhammad Ali Center in the downtown area of his hometown of 
Louisville, Kentucky. He continues to promote that which brings people 
together as opposed to that which pulls them apart. He continues to 
teach the lessons that made him great. His center is organized around 
the six core values of respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, 
giving and spirituality.
  In his younger days, he revolutionized boxing with hands so fast they 
could deliver punches not even visible to the naked eye. Since then, he 
has revolutionized the role of retired athlete, leading by example, 
showing others how to put their fame and fortune to good use.
  For these reasons, I urge all Members to support this resolution for 
this most deserving American.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure now to yield 
such time as he might consume to the distinguished gentleman from 
Louisville, Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth), the home of Muhammad Ali.
  Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois, and I 
want to also thank the gentlewoman from Indiana for allowing me to 
become a sponsor on this important resolution, also a fellow native.
  Mr. Speaker, boxing gloves are a symbol of fighting for sport; but 
these gloves, because of the man who once wore them, symbolize so much 
more: fighting for justice, fighting for equality, and fighting for 
one's convictions.
  My home district of Louisville, Kentucky, is known for a lot of 
things; and when you say the greatest, and particularly the greatest of 
all time, there is no question who you are talking about.
  Larger than life now and one of the most recognizable icons 
throughout the world, it is easy to forget that long before he took his 
place as the best, and, as he would tell you the prettiest, boxer the 
world has ever known, there was a young, loud-mouthed speedster named 
Cassius Marcellus Clay, who despite his slight frame and humble 
beginnings, had an overpowering cockiness that immediately let you know 
that, whether or not he was destined for greatness, he was absolutely 
consumed by the quest. That flare inspired a lore that traveled quickly 
throughout our hometown.
  In track and field, they say he won the mile easily and regularly, 
each time wearing steel-toed boots and running the second half 
backward.
  They say on his way to Central High School each day he would race the 
school bus, being sure to stop at every traffic light lest he gain an 
unfair advantage over the school bus.
  And when he finally began to shake up the world, winning Olympic gold 
at the age of 18, they say Cassius Clay furiously flung his medal into 
the Ohio River after his newly attained hero status did nothing to 
alter his second-class status in the racist South.
  Whether or not these tales are the stuff of legend, the integrity of 
the message holds true. He was the fastest, most dedicated, most 
confident we had ever seen. Yet even after he had defeated the 
invincible giant and became the heavyweight champion of the world, he 
constantly felt the pain of prejudice and the heartache of racial hate. 
He turned down the opportunity to merely escape the situation, instead 
determined to change it.
  He introduced dazzling quick footwork that even today has never been 
seen in a heavyweight and lightning left jabs that sent opponent after 
opponent falling to the mat. But he felt that his was a higher calling, 
and he chose controversy over comfort.
  He became Muhammad Ali, and he used his success and fame to speak 
passionately and eloquently against injustice, racism, crime, 
illiteracy and poverty, touching and inspiring millions around the 
world.
  As he was just approaching his prime fighting years, he was faced 
with a choice, betray his opposition to war and fight in Vietnam or 
sacrifice his career and face 5 years in jail. Twenty-five-year-old 
Muhammad Ali remained firm and was stripped of the title he had 
defended brilliantly for more than 2 years.
  He had been knocked down, but he would not accept defeat. For more 
than 3 years, the former champ defended his name and appealed the 
decision, while simultaneously touring the country and world speaking 
tirelessly in the name of peace, justice and equality, now champion in 
a whole new realm.
  With his peak fighting years behind him, a unanimous Supreme Court 
finally overruled previous decisions, granting Ali his conscientious 
objector status, and affording him the return that most of us thought 
would never happen.
  What followed was not merely a comeback but an epic resurgence that 
featured the Fight of the Century, the Thrilla in Manila, and the 
Rumble in the Jungle. Ali recaptured the title by reinventing his style 
with the rope-a-dope in 1974, and in 1978 took the belt an 
unprecedented third time.

[[Page 1457]]

  In the last two decades, Muhammad Ali has battled the effects of 
Parkinson's disease, and while the disease has proven a worthy 
adversary, it is simply not possible to defeat the man who once 
remarked, ``I oughta be a postage stamp. That's the only way I'll ever 
get licked.'' Since his diagnosis, he has appeared at countless events 
to combat illiteracy, poverty, and disease. He famously lit the Olympic 
torch in Atlanta, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and 
was an honorary captain for the Louisville Cardinals in their Orange 
Bowl victory this year.
  His mind remains sharp and his spirit strong. He is a hero. He is 
among the greatest icons the world has ever known, and I urge you to 
join me in commemorating his contributions to this country and the 
world on his 65th birthday.
  I leave you with the words of the poet and Godfather of Rap, Muhammad 
Ali:

     To make America the Greatest is my goal,
     So I beat the Russian and I beat the Pole.

     And for the USA won the medal of gold,
     Italians said, ``You're greater than the Cassius of old.''

     We like your name,
     We like your game.

     So make Rome your home if you will.
     I said, I appreciate your hospitality,
     But the USA is my country still.
     'Cause they're waiting to welcome me in Louisville.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my distinguished 
colleague from the State of Texas (Mr. Paul).
  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding this time 
to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 58. I saw Muhammad Ali as a 
man of great courage, and I admired him for this, not because of the 
courage that it took to get in a ring and fight men bigger than he, but 
because of his stance in 1967.
  In 1967, he was 25 years old. He was the heavyweight champion of the 
world, and for religious beliefs, he practiced what Martin Luther King 
made popular, civil disobedience, because he disagreed with the war. I 
thought his comments were rather astute at the time and were not 
complex, but he merely said, I have no quarrel with the Viet-Cong. He 
said the Viet-Cong never called him a name, and because of his 
religious convictions, he said he did not want to serve in the 
military. He stood firm, a man of principle, and I really admired this 
as a quality.
  He is known, of course, for his athletic skills and his humanitarian 
concerns, and these are rightly mentioned in a resolution like this. 
But I do want to emphasize this because, to me, it was so important and 
had such impact, in reality, what Muhammad Ali did eventually led to 
getting rid of the draft, and yet we as a people and we as a Congress 
still do not have the conviction that Muhammad Ali had, because we 
still have the selective service; we say, let us not draft now, but 
when the conditions are right, we will bring back the draft and bring 
back those same problems that we had in the 1960s.
  I see what Muhammad Ali did as being very great. He deserves this 
recognition, but we should also praise him for being a man of principle 
and willing to give up his title for 3 years at the age of 25 at the 
prime of his career. How many of us give up something to stand on 
principle? He was a man of principle. He believed it and he stood firm, 
so even those who may disagree with his position may say at least he 
stood up for what he believed in. He suffered the consequences and 
fortunately was eventually vindicated.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I do not believe we are going to 
have any additional speakers so I am going to yield myself such time as 
I might consume and close for our side.
  Mr. Speaker, today we celebrate the 65th birthday of Muhammad Ali. 
Ali's charisma, confidence and skills not only transformed boxing but 
the entire sporting world.

                              {time}  1115

  His unmistakable one-liners and his quick left jab enamored the 
public to the point that Ali said, ``I wish people would love everybody 
else the way they love me. It would be a better world.''
  Born on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, he started to train 
at the age of 12 and earned Amateur Athletic Union and Golden Gloves 
titles as an amateur. Then known by his birth name, Cassius Clay, Jr., 
he became an Olympic gold medalist and was renowned for his strong 
right hand and his dancing feet. He went on to fight professionally and 
revived boxing at an age when it was plagued by mob control.
  The three-time heavyweight champion was part of many legendary 
fights, including opponents Sonny Liston, George Frazier, and George 
Foreman. Ali used an unorthodox style on which he relied on quickness 
to dodge punches and to fool challengers rather than holding his hands 
high to defend his face. Ali's mix of poetic movement and powerful 
blows in the ring carried over to the comments he made outside. His 
knack for creating rhymes on the fly and his powerful paradoxes quoted 
to reporters made him a magnet for the media. He once said, ``My way of 
joking is to tell the truth. That is the funniest joke in the world.'' 
Ali made no qualms about what he did or how good he was. He was backed 
up in his claims and holds wins over seven fellow International Boxing 
Hall of Fame inductees.
  In the early 1980s, Ali was diagnosed with pugilistic Parkinson's 
disease, which forced him into retirement. After his retirement and 
despite his ailment, Ali has been committed to many philanthropic 
efforts to reduce poverty and hunger, to promote adoption, and to 
encourage cultural awareness. Ali was named Sportsman of the Century in 
1999 by Sports Illustrated and is considered to be a modern legend by 
many.
  So, Mr. Speaker, Ali was indeed the greatest, but he did leave 
Louisville and eventually moved to Chicago, which is the greatest city, 
and so I was fortunate as an individual to get to know him and to get 
to know him well. As a matter of fact, you could always count on Ali to 
be present at community events, banquets, it didn't matter, local 
schools, playgrounds where kids were.
  He was a real ambassador for the Nation of Islam and was very 
involved in his religious beliefs. A great man of integrity. As a 
matter of fact, people would often meet at his home for community 
meetings and gatherings and people would just stop by. He lived in what 
we call the Hyde Park community. And so he was indeed the greatest. He 
had no difficulty sharing himself with others.
  So I commend Representative Carson for introducing this legislation 
and urge its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 
58, which honors Muhammad Ali on the occasion of his 65th birthday. 
Muhammad Ali, who transformed the sport of boxing with his unparalleled 
physical gifts, social commentary, and poetry, is one of the world's 
most beloved athletes. Muhammad Ali has been a fixture on the world 
stage since the 1960, when he won the gold medal at the 1960 Olympics 
in Tokyo. He would go on to win such legendary bouts as ``The Rumble in 
the Jungle'' against George Foreman, and ``The Thrilla in Manila'' 
against ``Smoking Joe'' Frazier.
  Since his retirement in 1981, Muhammad Ali has engaged in many 
humanitarian endeavors, including a 1990 journey to Iraq to negotiate 
the release of 15 hostages. Muhammad Ali may be out of the ring but 
interest in him has not waned, 3 billion television viewers around the 
world watched him light the torch that opened the Olympic Games in 
Atlanta in 1996. In 1984 Ali was stricken with Parkinson's disease. 
However true to form, Ali has not let his illness stop him from being 
free to do what he wants.
  Never has a sports figure inspired so many people in so many 
different ways. Ali has shown that a sport can be more than 
entertainment; it can also be a cultural event with the power to change 
social values. Muhammad Ali is one of the most recognized sportsmen of 
all time. His legacy is one that inspires both in the ring and through 
his humanitarian work.
  Outside of the ring Ali was a tremendously important figure and ally 
in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Ali refused to fight in the 
Vietnam War due to his religion and because he said, ``Ain't no Viet 
Cong done nothing to me.'' He has won countless awards for

[[Page 1458]]

his humanitarian efforts, including the Medal of Freedom. If anyone is 
deserving of the accolades that are bestowed on him, Muhammad Ali is 
certainly that person.
  The Muhammad Ali International Centre opened in Ali's home town of 
Louisville, Kentucky in November 2005. The Centre holds exhibits and 
provides learning initiatives. It was established to represent and 
promote the values by which Muhammad Ali has lived his life: 
confidence, dedication, respect, compassion, charity, and spirituality. 
It is hoped that the Centre will provide those that visit the 
enlightenment and ability to become the greatest they can be. Ali's 
wife Lonnie said of the initiative: ``the Muhammad Ali Centre is all 
about searching for common ground and establishing peace.''
  On behalf of the citizens of the State of Texas and my constituents 
of the 18th congressional district I would like to join my colleagues 
in honoring Muhammad Ali, a global humanitarian, on the occasion of his 
65th birthday and extend best wishes to him and his family. Muhammad 
Ali reminds us all that ``learning to love yourself is the greatest 
love of all.''
  Happy Birthday, champ! As you often said after your many victories, 
you are the ``Greatest of all time!''
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
commend the life of activist and humanitarian Muhammad Ali on his 65th 
birthday. Muhammad Ali is not only recognized for his boxing career but 
also for his dedication to reaching out to lesser developed countries. 
His involvement in social causes, diplomacy and politics has served as 
a shining example of courage, strength and dignity.
  Muhammad Ali was once one of the world's greatest and most flamboyant 
boxers, and during the course of his long career, he also became known 
as an eloquent statesman for peace, as well as, a generous man who 
devoted much of his considerable earnings to charity.
  Born Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky in 1942, Ali learned at a 
very young age that determination and dedication would take him to 
greater places. After winning the gold medal in the 1960 Olympics, 
Muhammad Ali became actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement with 
Malcolm X. At a time when race and politics permeated the public stage, 
Ali represented a well known figure not afraid to speak his mind and 
fight against oppression imposed by Jim Crow. Never had a sport figure 
encouraged so many people to fight against social oppression.
  After he retired from boxing he continued working to better the lives 
of others through his involvement with the Jimmy Carter Campaign in 
1980. Through his humanitarian work Ali has founded WORLD, the World 
Organization for Right, Liberty, and Dignity, and the Ali Center. 
WORLD, an organization that fights for human rights against 
exploitation and slavery, and the Ali Center serve as international and 
cultural centers to explore the greatness and the drive that lies 
within all of us and to inspire everyone to pursue their highest 
potential.
  In spite of the fact that Muhammad Ali has been suffering from 
Parkinson's disease in the past two decades, he still remains an 
advocate of children and war victims. Inspiring millions has been an 
arduous work in progress till this day for Muhammad Ali. He continues 
to be a leader and revolutionary to this day.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 58, honoring a 
good friend, Muhammad Ali, on the occasion of his 65th birthday and to 
extend best wishes to him and his family. The Gentlelady from Indiana 
[Ms. Carson] is to be commended for bringing this resolution to the 
House in celebration of an icon of sportsmanship, fortitude, 
perseverance, and peace.
  On November 20, 2005, I was honored to have given remarks during the 
grand opening of the Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville. This 
educational and cultural center was established to give visitors a 
glimpse of Ali's life and experiences and to help inspire them to 
pursue their dreams by applying their maximum potential.
  Ali is many things to many people: a world champion, an Olympian, an 
innovator, a world-class father, husband, and friend. In his 21 years 
of boxing, he won 56 fights out of 61 and is the first boxer to win the 
heavyweight championship three times. He achieved the incredible feat 
of winning an Olympic gold medal in the 1960 games at the age of 18.
  However, his legendary charisma, charm, and genius did not stop in 
the ring or at press conferences. What makes him a true pioneer is the 
fact that he was principled enough to say no to the Vietnam War. The 
words he spoke in refusing the draft made a stark social commentary 
during that time and taught America a valuable way of thinking. Those 
words taught us that war should always be a last resort and that before 
we over-commit ourselves elsewhere, we must fix the problems that exist 
right at home. This philosophy has tremendous relevance to us today in 
the context of the War in Iraq. Many Americans feel that we should re-
align our priorities to address problems at home instead of fighting a 
war in Iraq.
  I wish Muhammad Ali a very happy birthday. For his outstanding 
contributions to sports and sportsmanship and for the lessons on peace 
and conviction to principles that he gave the world, I sincerely thank 
him. His legacy and record of achievement have earned him the title of 
``the Greatest of All Time.'' I support this resolution.
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish a very happy birthday to 
the former heavyweight champion of the world, and the undisputed 
greatest boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali.
  Mr. Speaker, Muhammad Ali never shied away from speaking his mind on 
issues concerning racial inequality, social injustice and human rights 
issues, either while he was heavyweight champion, or today, as he 
continues to be a world leader on these issues.
  Since retiring from boxing, Ali has raised over $50 million for 
charities here in the U.S. and around the globe, and he has delivered 
millions in food and medical supplies to countries throughout Africa 
and Asia.
  He has been on international aid missions to Cuba, and he played a 
key role in getting American hostages released from Iraq before the 
start of the Persian Gulf war.
  Muhammad Ali's penchant for peacemaking was recognized by U.N. 
Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 1998 when Ali was named a U.N. 
Messenger of Peace.
  While serving at the U.N., he also worked to build the Muhammad Ali 
Center in his hometown of Louisville, KY, to promote respect, hope and 
understanding among all people, and which strives to help all 
individuals realize the greatness within them.
  Standing on principle and never casting aspersions on those who 
challenged his moral convictions, Ali objected to the war in Vietnam, 
and refused to be inducted into the U.S. Army in 1967.
  As a consequence, Ali was indicted for draft evasion, convicted, and 
was stripped of his boxing title. Eventually Ali was ultimately 
vindicated in the United States Supreme Court, which overturned his 
conviction, by a unanimous vote in 1971, but not before losing valuable 
years of his livelihood and being wrongly accused of being unpatriotic 
and disloyal to the country he loved so dearly.
  Muhammad Ali would regain his boxing title in 1974, but far more 
important was the manner in which he wore the mantle of champion.
  Mr. Speaker, Muhammad Ali is not only one of the greatest athletes of 
our time, he has become one of the most recognized and beloved people 
in the world, and he insists on using his celebrity to help his fellow 
man and woman.
  His athletic prowess made him famous, but it is his heart and good 
deeds that will have cemented his place in our hearts forever.
  Muhammad Ali is a hero in every sense of the world, and we all owe 
him a debt of gratitude for his role in making America a more 
conscientious and better country.
  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 58, to 
honor Muhammad Ali, global humanitarian, on the occasion of his 65th 
birthday. Mr. Ali was crowned ``Sportsman of the Century'' by Sports 
Illustrated in 1999 and has traveled around the world working for 
hunger and poverty relieve, supporting education efforts of all kinds, 
and encouraging people to respect and better understand one another.
  Muhammad Ali was born in Louisville, KY, on January 17, 1942, and was 
named Cassious Marcellus Clay, Jr. He later changed his name after 
joining the Nation of Islam and subsequently converted to Sunni Islam 
in 1975. He won the World Heavyweight Boxing championship three times, 
and won the North American Boxing Federation championship as well as an 
Olympic gold medal.
  Ali received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House 
ceremony on November 9, 2005, and the prestigious ``Otto Hahn peace 
medal in Gold'' of the United Nations Association of Germany in Berlin 
on December 17, 2005, for his work with the United States civil rights 
movement and the United Nations.
  Ali, since retiring from boxing, has devoted himself to humanitarian 
endeavors around the globe. It is estimated that he has helped to 
provide more than 22 million meals to feed the hungry. He travels, on 
average, more than 200 days per year to promote his humanitarian 
efforts. Please join me in support of this bill honoring Muhammad Ali 
and extending best wishes to him and his family on the occasion of his 
65th birthday.

[[Page 1459]]


  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of 
H. Res. 58 and yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 58.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those voting have responded in the affirmative.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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