K 414: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025 as Wrestling Month in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 414 BY: M. of A. Lemondes MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025 as Wrestling Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months which are set aside to appreciate the great athletic competitions that enhance the lives of citizens in New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025 as Wrestling Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Wrestling Month as well as World Wrestling Day which is Friday, May 23, 2025; and WHEREAS, Wrestling refers to the sport of grappling with an opponent and trying to throw or hold them down on the ground; the practice dates back to ancient Sumeria, and the Greeks introduced it to the ancient Olympics in 708 B.C. as a form of soldiers' training; and WHEREAS, For the occasion, United World Wrestling has launched "This Is Wrestling," a social media campaign asking athletes, fans, coaches, and members of the wrestling community to share photos and videos of themselves in relation to wrestling; and WHEREAS, In 2022, the United States Wrestling Foundation, a nationally known non-profit organization, officially launched the first national "Let's Wrestle" program to help more high school students prepare for success and overcome challenges through the principles of wrestling; and WHEREAS, The campaign features prominent and nationally recognized celebrities who attribute the disciplines learned in wrestling as part of their professional success; this includes actors and actresses from Hollywood, athletes from the NFL and other sports, business leaders and scientists, NASA astronauts, and IndyCar drivers, among others; and WHEREAS, Wrestling is currently the sixth most popular boys high school sport and is the fastest growing girls high school sport; and WHEREAS, This month we celebrate more than two millennia of the old sport of wrestling worldwide and in the United States; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to celebrate the historic sport of wrestling; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025, as Wrestling Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.