LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of George Spitz, outstanding
athlete and creator of the New York City Marathon, and recognizing the
significance of his life accomplishments

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to publicly celebrate
the memory of extraordinary individuals whose outstanding athletic abil-
ity and humanitarian endeavors have inspired tremendous personal and
public pride and whose achievements continue to contribute to the
passion of the sport they loved; and
WHEREAS, George Spitz of Manhattan, New York, died on Friday, March
27, 2015, at the age of 92; and
WHEREAS, A World War II veteran, George Spitz was employed as an Audi-
tor for New York State; and
WHEREAS, A dedicated marathon runner, George Spitz participated in the
Boston Marathon in 1975; invigorated by the extravaganza surrounding the
Patriots' Day Race in Boston, he aimed to change the New York City Mara-
thon from a four-lap race within Central Park to a marathon through the
five boroughs of New York City; and
WHEREAS, After much persistence, George Spitz witnessed his vision of
a more acclaimed NYC Marathon come to fruition in 1976, in conjunction
with the United States Bicentennial Celebration; and
WHEREAS, On October 24, 1976, more than 2,000 runners sped through the
streets and bridges of Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and
Manhattan; the prestigious NYC Marathon went on to become the model for
mass participation urban races around the world; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, George Spitz was proudly inducted into the renowned
New York Road Runners Hall of Fame due to his indomitable influence in
creating the five-borough NYC Marathon; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, George Spitz 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 George Spitz, an outstanding athlete and creator of
the NYC Marathon, and recognizing the significance of his life accom-
plishments; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of George Spitz.