H. Res. 58

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

January 17, 2007.

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 De-
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cember 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: re-
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spect, 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 
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•HRES 58 EH 

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. 

Attest:

Clerk.