Assembly Resolution No. 923

BY: M. of A. Mayer

HONORING Melvina Lathan upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition at the 2nd
Annual Women's History Month Celebration on March
23, 2018

WHEREAS, Women's History Month, celebrated each year in March, is a
time to reflect upon and pay tribute to the women of our State and
Nation for their contributions to their communities and their
professions; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that women of
every economic, ethnic, and religious background have made significant
contributions to their community and to the State of New York, and it is
appropriate to recognize them and to publicly acknowledge their
endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Melvina Lathan upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition at the 2nd Annual Women's History Month Celebration to be
feted on Friday, March 23, 2018, at the Grinton I. Will Library in
Yonkers, New York; and

WHEREAS, Melvina Lathan has truly devoted herself to the welfare of
her community and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Melvina Lathan is a
graduate of the Franklin College of Science and Arts; and

WHEREAS, The first Chairwoman of the New York State Athletic
Commission, Melvina Lathan has led a dual career as an exhibiting mixed
media artist and the first African American female to become a licensed
professional boxing judge; and

WHEREAS, For many years, Melvina Lathan has served as a boxing judge
in not only New York State, but also New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida,
Tennessee, California, Texas, Missouri, and the Oneida, Pequot and
Mohegan Tribal Nations; and

WHEREAS, Melvina Lathan was a long-time member of the IBF, WBO, WBC
and IBO, and during her distinguished career, worked more than 235 fight
cards (883+ bouts) including 84 world title contests in the United
States, Great Britain, South Africa, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Sicily,
Argentina, Amsterdam, Poland, Scotland, Hungary, and China; as Chair of
the New York State Athletic Commission, she has overseen thousands of
rounds of boxing; and

WHEREAS, Well-respected in her field, Melvina Lathan has devised and
conducted training seminars for judges at the Manny Pacquiao Boxing Club
in Manila, Philippines, the International Professional Boxing
Union/Manny Pacquiao Boxing Club in Beijing, China; the first Tianjin
Chinese International Boxing Exhibition Games, the European Boxing Union
in Budapest, Hungary, the New York State Athletic Commission, the

Washington D.C. Boxing Commission, the International Boxing Federation,
and the World Boxing Organization, as well as the International Boxing
Council; and

WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to her
profession, Melvina Lathan has been the recipient of numerous awards and
accolades including the 2015 Woman of the Decade Award by Ring 8/New
York Boxing Hall of Fame, the 2015 Titans Of The Trade Award by
Mayweather Promotions, the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award by Ring 8,
New York Chapter, 2008 Administrator of the Year Award by the American
Association of Ringside Physicians, 2002 Legends Award by The Black
Women in Sports Foundation, and the 2001 Rocky Marciano Officials Award
by the American Association for the Improvement of Boxing; and

WHEREAS, This remarkable woman was also inducted into the New York
Boxing Hall of Fame, the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, and the Bare
Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Melvina Lathan serves on the Board of Directors for the
Police Athletic League, and the American Association for the Improvement
of Boxing, and is a member of the consulting team which contributed to
the earliest stages of planning and development for the Muhammad Ali
Center, which is now located in Louisville, Kentucky; and

WHEREAS, Melvina Lathan has worked for New York State in several
capacities such as Commissioner with the Athletic Commission, and
Chairperson of the New York State Athletic Commission, a position she
held until her retirement in 2015; and

WHEREAS, In this capacity, Melvina Lathan has accomplished numerous
goals which have greatly supported and promoted the sport of boxing in
the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout has been her husband, Dr. Billy Lathan,
who has shown her love and support and rejoices in her many
achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned our
recognition and applause; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Melvina Lathan upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition at the 2nd Annual Women's History Month Celebration on March
23, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Melvina Lathan.