Bill Text: NY K00223 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Assembly Resolution 223 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Mourning the death of Richard J. Beyer, renowned professional wrestler, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2019-03-26 - adopted [K00223 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-K00223-Introduced.html


Assembly Resolution No. 223

BY: M. of A. Norris

        MOURNING  the  death of Richard J. Beyer, renowned
        professional  wrestler,  distinguished  citizen  and
        devoted member of his community

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens  of  the  State  of New York whose lifework and civic endeavors
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, Richard  John  "Dick"  Beyer  of  Akron,  New  York,  known
throughout  his  professional  wrestling  career  as "The Destroyer" and
"Doctor X," died on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at the age of 88; and

  WHEREAS, Born July 11, 1930, in Buffalo, New York, Richard J.  Beyer
was  a  four-sport athlete at Seneca Vocational High School who earned a
football scholarship to Syracuse University  playing  right  tackle  and
defensive guard; and

  WHEREAS,  It  was  during  his  time at Syracuse University that the
5'10", 230-pound Richard J. Beyer also made a name for  himself  on  the
wrestling  team  as heavyweight in the early 1950s; he competed at three
Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association  (EIWA)  Championships  as
well  as  at  Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) wrestling events in freestyle
competition; and

  WHEREAS, Richard J. Beyer was a 1952 AAU Niagara  District  Champion
and  a  three-time letter winner for Syracuse University (1951-1953); he
was named Syracuse Athlete of the Year in 1953 for  his  performance  on
the wrestling mat and football field; and

  WHEREAS,  Upon  graduating,  Richard J. Beyer served as an Assistant
Football Coach throughout the 1950s to head  coach  Ben  Schwartzwalder;
and

  WHEREAS, In 1954, Richard J. Beyer launched a professional wrestling
career that spanned four decades and 8,000 matches; he was best known by
his ring names, "The Destroyer" and "Doctor X," in the Minneapolis-based
American Wrestling Association (AWA)

  WHEREAS,  The  first American to compete in All Japan pro wrestling,
Richard J. Beyer worked extensively  in  Japan,  and  in  2017,  he  was
awarded  one  of  the  country's highest honors, the Order of the Rising
Sun; and

  WHEREAS, In early 1963, Richard J.  Beyer  wrestled  three  sold-out
matches  against  Shohei  "Giant"  Baba at the Olympic Auditorium in Los
Angeles, and in May of the same year he traveled to Japan for the  first
time  to  compete  against  Rikidozan  in  a match watched by 70 million
television viewers; and

  WHEREAS, Richard J. Beyer returned to Los Angeles in June  of  1964,
during  which  time  he defeated Dick the Bruiser for another WWA Title;
and


  WHEREAS,  Beginning  in 1973, Richard J. Beyer wrestled in Japan for
six straight years with Giant Baba and NTV of Tokyo; during  his  tenure
in  Japan, he had a feud with Mil Mascaras which resulted in a series of
seven matches; furthermore, he was instrumental in the promotion of  All
Japan  Pro Wrestling (AJPW) for Giant Baba, and established himself as a
television personality in a late-night TV show called Uwasa No  Channel;
and

  WHEREAS, In addition to his professional wresting career, Richard J.
Beyer  served  as a Physical Education teacher from 1984 to 1995, in the
Akron Central School District, where he also coached football, wrestling
and swimming; and

  WHEREAS, The proud  recipient  of  numerous  awards  and  accolades,
Richard  J.    Beyer  was  welcomed  into  the  George  Tragos/Lou Thesz
Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2002; he also received  the  2014
Zunic Award from Syracuse University; and

  WHEREAS,  Richard  J.  Beyer  is  survived  by his wife, Wilma; four
children, Patti (Marc), Kurt, Mona  (Chris)  and  Richard  (Amy);  eight
grandchildren,  Lisa,  Kelly,  Laurene, Brent, Garrett, Grace, Grant and
Lucy; a great-grandson, Charlie; and a sister, Shirley; and

  WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a  sense  of
compassion,  Richard  J.  Beyer  leaves  behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
mourn  the  death  of  Richard J. Beyer, renowned professional wrestler,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his  community;  and  be  it
further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Richard J. Beyer.