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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The World Boxing Council has served as a positive |
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international influence in the sport of boxing for more than half a |
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century; and |
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WHEREAS, One of four major entities that sanction world |
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championship boxing fights, the World Boxing Council was created on |
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February 14, 1963, in Mexico City; representatives from Argentina, |
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Brazil, Chile, England, France, Mexico, Panama, Peru, the |
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Philippines, the United States, and Venezuela were involved at the |
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time of its establishment, and the WBC is now affiliated with more |
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than 165 countries around the globe; over the years, the council has |
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introduced rules and procedures that have transformed the sport, |
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such as shortening title fights from 15 rounds to 12 and |
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implementing a range of regulations to make the sport safer and |
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fairer; and |
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WHEREAS, The WBC was led for nearly four decades by Dr. Jose |
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Sulaimán Chagnón, who served as president from 1975 until his death |
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in 2014; his many achievements included expanding the council's |
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global reach and creating World Boxing Cares, a nonprofit |
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initiative in which boxing celebrities visit children at hospitals, |
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orphanages, and youth centers; and |
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WHEREAS, Since the passing of Dr. Sulaimán, the WBC has been |
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guided by his son, Mauricio Sulaimán, who had assisted his father |
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for many years and had served as executive secretary before |
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assuming his present roles as president and chief executive |
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officer; dedicated to boxing safety, Mauricio Sulaimán organized an |
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annual convention for the review and improvement of regulations; |
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moreover, the WBC continues to be active in community affairs by |
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supporting a range of charitable efforts; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout its history, the WBC has excelled in its |
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mission of promoting the sport of boxing while serving as a unifying |
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force in the many nations in which it operates and among the diverse |
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array of athletes with whom it is affiliated; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor the contributions of the World Boxing |
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Council and extend to all those associated with the organization |
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sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the WBC as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |