LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Grete Waitz, an outstanding
athlete and marathon icon, and recognizing the significance of her life
accomplishments

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge and pay
tribute to those esteemed individuals within the State of New York who
distinguished themselves through outstanding achievements in worldwide
athletic competition; and
WHEREAS, Grete Waitz was born as Grete Andersen on October 1, 1953, in
Oslo, Norway; she died on April 19, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Grete Waitz accomplished the following as a marathon runner:
won the national junior titles in Norway in the 400 meter and 800 meter
races; at the age of 17, set the European junior record for the 1500
meters race with a time of 4:17; as an adolescent, won a bronze medal at
the European Championship in 1974; set a new record in 1975 in the 3000
meters race in Oslo, Norway, with a time of 8:46:6, in which she lowered
further the following year with a new record time of 8:45:4; won a gold
medal in 1977 for the 3000 meters race at the IAAF World Cup in Dussel-
dorf, Germany; began running in the New York City Marathon in 1978 where
she went on to win nine races; and
WHEREAS, For 25 years Grete Waitz served as the ambassador for the
JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge Series where she advised full-time
workers on ways to live with decent health; and
WHEREAS, Grete Waitz retired from a career as a marathoner after her
last run in the New York City Marathon of 1992; and
WHEREAS, Grete Waitz is widely acknowledged for helping to promote
marathon and long-distance running for women; in Norway she is a sport-
ing legend, having an annual race named in her honor; and
WHEREAS, The New York Road Runners club annually sponsors "Grete's
Great Gallop," a half-marathon dedicated in Grete Waitz's honor; and
WHEREAS, After being diagnosed with cancer in 2005, Grete Waitz estab-
lished the cancer care foundation called "Aktiv Mot Krett", or Active
Against Cancer in 2007; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the significance of Grete
Waitz' success as a professional runner, considering the lack of support
and respect female athletes received during her early years as an emerg-
ing marathoner; and
WHEREAS, Grete Waitz is survived by her husband, Jack Waitz, and two
brothers, Jan Andersen and Arild Andersen; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Grete Waitz leaves behind
a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a
comforting memory to all who knew her or have been affected by her work;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the untimely death of Grete Waitz; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Grete Waitz.