J 1091: Commemorating the 36th Anniversary of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York

 Senate Resolution No. 1091 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMEMORATING the 36th Anniversary of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor those enduring organizations which faithfully devote their resources and purposeful energies to supporting those who love the sport of boxing and contributing to the quality of life for the residents of the communities they serve; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 36th Anniversary of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, to be celebrated with its newest class of inductees to be honored during the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend to be held June 5-8, 2025; and WHEREAS, The Class of 2025 International Boxing Hall of Fame honorees, voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a panel of international boxing historians, are: Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao, Vinny "The Pazmanian Devil" Paz, and Michael "Second To" Nunn in the Men's Modern category; Yessica "Kika" Chavez, Anne Sophie Mathis, and Mary Jo Sanders in the Women's Modern category; Cathy "Cat" Davis in the Women's Trailblazer category; referee Kenny Bayless, cut man Al Gavin (posthumous), and referee Harry Gibbs (posthumous) in the Non-Participant category; broadcaster and journalist Randy Gordon and television producer Ross Greenburg in the Observer category; Rodrigo Valdez (posthumous) in the Old Timer category; and Owen Swift (posthumous) in the Pioneer category; and WHEREAS, Canastota, New York is known as "Boxing's Hometown," and for the 2025 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend a myriad of events will take place at the village and nearby at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York; throughout the four-day celebration, events will include ringside talks, fist casting, fight night, 5K race/fun run, boxing autograph card show, banquet, parade, and induction ceremony; and WHEREAS, The International Boxing Hall of Fame opened to the public in 1989 and is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the great sport of boxing; it serves as a tribute to the world's finest boxers and contributors to the sport, allowing boxing enthusiasts to appreciate and celebrate the rich history and traditions of boxing; and WHEREAS, The multi-year partnership between Turning Stone Resort Casino and the International Boxing Hall of Fame spotlights the entire region, garnering attention and boosting tourism in Central New York; the partnership includes a series of nationally-televised boxing events at Turning Stone, culminating every year in June with an elaborate and bigger-than-ever International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend with several exciting events in Madison County and Oneida County throughout the four-day celebration; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when associations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 36th Anniversary of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York and aforementioned honorees.