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TO HONOR LAILA ALI, BOXING CHAMPION, TELEVISION PERSONALITY, AND HEALTH ADVOCATE, AND TO EXTEND TO HER A CORDIAL WELCOME TO THE PALMETTO STATE UPON THE OCCASION OF HER ADDRESS TO THE NINTH ANNUAL GREENVILLE HEALTH SYSTEM MINORITY HEALTH SUMMIT ON APRIL 11, 2015.
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that Laila Ali, boxing champion, television personality, and health advocate, will travel to the Palmetto State on April 11, 2015, as keynote speaker for the Ninth Annual Greenville Health System (GHS) Minority Health Summit; and
Whereas, at the Summit, to be held at the TD Convention Center in Greenville, Laila Ali will deliver remarks focused on stroke and heart disease, which disproportionately affect minorities. The event also features physician-led discussions, exercise demonstrations, and an information fair; and
Whereas, in December 1977, Laila Ali was born the daughter of Veronica Ali and boxing legend Muhammad Ali. During her own career (1999-2007), Laila defeated some of the most prominent names in women's boxing, retiring with a 24-0 record; and
Whereas, Laila Ali grew up in Southern California with her parents and older sister, Hana. After a troubled period in her teens, she earned a degree in business management at Santa Monica College. She worked as a manicurist while attending school and then owned a nail salon. She later recalled that she had been inspired to train as a boxer by watching a televised fight between women boxers Christy Martin and Deirdre Gogarty in 1996; and
Whereas, she made her professional boxing debut at the age of twenty-one on October 8, 1999, in a bout against April Fowler. She knocked out her opponent thirty-one seconds into the first round. Over the next eight years, she faced off against many leading names in women's boxing. In 2001, she defeated Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, daughter of boxer Joe Frazier; and
Whereas, in 2002, Laila Ali was named Super Middleweight Champion by the International Boxing Association, the Women's International Boxing Association, and the International Women's Boxing Federation. Two years later, she added the International Women's Boxing Federation's Light Heavyweight title to her resumé. Her final fight took place on February 3, 2007, in Johannesburg, South Africa. She knocked out opponent Gwendolyn O'Neil in the first round, finishing her career with a 24-0 record that included twenty-one knockouts; and
Whereas, she has also established herself as a multimedia personality. In 2002, she published the motivational memoir Reach!: Finding Strength, Spirit, and Personal Power. She released a series of workout videos with famed boxer Sugar Ray Leonard in 2007 and has appeared as a health and fitness correspondent on The Early Show on CBS. Her highest-profile television appearance took place during the 2007 season of Dancing With the Stars on ABC. In 2008, she began co-hosting NBC's American Gladiators. She competed in Stars Earn Stripes on NBC (2012), and she currently co-hosts the program Everyday Health on ABC. She also serves as president of the Women's Sports Foundation; and
Whereas, in admiration of her multifaceted career, the General Assembly extends to Laila Ali a warm welcome to South Carolina and wishes her an enjoyable visit to our State as she speaks at the Ninth Annual GHS Minority Health Summit. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, honor Laila Ali, boxing champion, television personality, and health advocate, and extend to her a cordial welcome to the Palmetto State upon the occasion of her address to the Ninth Annual Greenville Health System Minority Health Summit on April 11, 2015.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Laila Ali.
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