Bill Text: NY J01710 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring Wallace Matthews upon the occasion of his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-01-23 - ADOPTED [J01710 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01710-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1710

BY: Senator GRIFFO

        HONORING Wallace Matthews upon the occasion of his
        induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
        and Museum

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding broadcast journalists who distinguished  themselves  through
their  exceptional  story-telling  in  sports,  attaining  unprecedented
success and the highest level of personal achievement; Wallace  Matthews
is  one such individual and his life of achievements inspired others and
contributed to the respect and admiration of the sport of boxing; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Wallace   Matthews   upon   the  occasion  of  his  induction  into  the
International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum; he will be honored for his
role as a sports journalist at the  35th  Anniversary  celebration  from
June 6-9, 2024, in Canastota, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Born on January 3, 1957 in New York City, Wallace Matthews
began his career as a boxing journalist in 1983 after having a career as
a New York Golden Gloves boxer; he  covered  fights  at  Madison  Square
Garden's Felt Forum while working part-time for Newsday; and

  WHEREAS,  Over  the next four decades, Wallace Matthews was ringside
reporting on such  iconic  fights  as  Hagler  vs.  Hearns,  Hagler  vs.
Leonard,  Spinks  vs.  Holmes  I & II, and all the remarkable Mike Tyson
fights; and

  WHEREAS, Wallace Matthews's byline appeared in such notable  outlets
as  the New York Times, Newsday, the Washington Post, the New York Post,
the New York Daily  News,  Sports  Illustrated,  Sport  Magazine,  Yahoo
Sports, and ESPN; and

  WHEREAS, A multi-talented journalist, Wallace Matthews has served as
the  ringside  reporter  for  NBC-TV  at  the  1988  and  1992 Olympics;
additionally, he worked as a  ringside  analyst  for  Showtime,  CBS-TV,
Sports Channel America, Versus, and ESPN; and

  WHEREAS,  Venturing  into  talk  shows,  Wallace Matthews hosted the
SiriusXM boxing show "Going the Distance" with Teddy  Atlas  and  Nabate
Isles; he also hosted a drive-time sports talk show "Wally and the Keeg"
on ESPN radio; and

  WHEREAS,  From 1989 to 1993, Wallace Matthews served as President of
the Boxing Writers Association of America; in 1994, for  his  dedication
to  the sport and profession, he was awarded the Nat Fleischer Award for
Excellence in Boxing Journalism by the BWAA; and

  WHEREAS,  Still  avidly  involved  with  the  sport  of  boxing  and
inspiring youth, Wallace Matthews currently runs a boxing program at the
YMCA in Huntington, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Wallace  Matthews  clearly  contributed  to  the spirit of
excellence which is a tradition of  the  International  Boxing  Hall  of
Fame; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  that when
individuals of such  outstanding  accomplishments  are  brought  to  our
attention,  they  should be recognized by all the citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
honor  Wallace  Matthews  upon  the  occasion  of his induction into the
International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Wallace Matthews.