Senate Resolution No. 2689

BY: Senator TEDISCO

HONORING Mechelle Smith upon the occasion of her
induction into the Schenectady City School District
Athletic Hall of Fame on September 11, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
outstanding athletes who have distinguished themselves through their
exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest
level of personal achievement; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Mechelle Smith upon the occasion of her induction into the Schenectady
City School District Athletic Hall of Fame, to be celebrated at its 20th
Annual Hall of Fame and Reunion Dinner on Monday, September 11, 2017, at
Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady, New York; and

WHEREAS, Mechelle Smith is an esteemed 1979 graduate of Linton High
School, where she played basketball and threw shot put and discus on the
track and field team; and

WHEREAS, Mechelle Smith distinguished herself by her many notable
achievements in Taekwondo, holding numerous records; she is a
Fourth-degree Black Belt in Kukkiwon, Korea, and a Seventh-degree Black
Belt in AAU Taekwondo; and

WHEREAS, This exceptional athlete is a three-time Middleweight
United States Taekwondo Union National Champion, and an amazing 14-time
Middleweight AAU National Champion; and

WHEREAS, In 1988, Mechelle Smith participated in trials for the
first United States Olympic Taekwondo Team, where she served as first
alternate; and

WHEREAS, Mechelle Smith captured the Gold Medal at the 1992 Pan-Am
Taekwondo Championship, and won the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic World
Championships in 2001; she also won several Gold Medals in the United
States Cup Championships where she represented the United States versus
Korea, Canada and Puerto Rico; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her induction into the Schenectady City
School District Athletic Hall of Fame, Mechelle Smith is a two-time
member of the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, A retired New York State Trooper, Mechelle Smith currently
owns and operates Mechelle's Way Taekwondo (MW Taekwondo), and teaches a
self-defense course for women; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for
this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to Mechelle Smith;
and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Mechelle Smith for
her extraordinary athletic accomplishments which are a tribute to her
skill, dedication and commitment; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations with
praise and pride to honor Mechelle Smith upon the occasion of her
induction into the Schenectady City School District Athletic Hall of
Fame; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Mechelle Smith, and the Schenectady City School District
Athletic Hall of Fame.