Reps. Richardville, Julian, Accavitti, Adamini, Anderson, Bieda, Brown, Caswell, Condino, Daniels, Ehardt, Emmons, Farrah, Garfield, Gieleghem, Gillard, Gleason, Hager, Hardman, Hood, Hopgood, Huizenga, Hunter, Jamnick, Koetje, Kooiman, Lipsey, McConico, Meisner, Meyer, Milosch, Murphy, O'Neil, Pastor, Phillips, Plakas, Reeves, Robertson, Rocca, Sak, Sheltrown, Shulman, Stahl, Stallworth, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Vander Veen, Voorhees, Waters, Whitmer, Woodward and Woronchak offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 229.

A resolution commemorating the 25th anniversary of Kronk Boxing in the state of Michigan and to pay tribute to its founder, Emmanuel Steward.

Whereas, A proud tradition of boxing excellence started in the Kronk Recreation Center, located at 5555 McGraw Street in Detroit, where the next generation of Kronk boxers still prefer to train in its warm, dingy basement; and

Whereas, The tradition of Kronk Boxing was started by Emanuel Steward who was raised in the city of Detroit and has brought great honor and attention to the city of his youth.  At an early age, Emanuel Steward was fascinated with the sport of boxing.  He relentlessly practiced and honed his technique to rise to the pinnacle of his sport to become the 1963 National Golden Gloves Champion in the bantamweight division.  He embarked on a successful amateur career that culminated with 94 victories in 97 bouts; and

Whereas, Emanuel Steward did not end his affiliation with the sport of boxing following the completion of his amateur career.  He began training young boxers at the Kronk Recreational Center.  His young students went on to successful boxing careers of their own, thanks to the guiding hand of Emanuel Steward.   In 1980, Emanuel Steward was honored as the Boxing Writers Association of America’s Manager of the Year.  In 1996, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.  He has served as an expert commentator on televised bouts and has managed or trained a total of 29 world champion boxers; and 

Whereas, Emanuel Steward has not only demonstrated himself as a superb boxer and trainer but also as a highly successful businessman in any venture he has devoted his full attention and energy to.  What began as a labor of love in evenings and weekends has grown into an empire known as Kronk Gyms and has spread throughout the world; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body commemorate the 25th anniversary of Kronk Boxing in the state of Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That we pay tribute to Emanuel Steward for his great accomplishments in life as a boxer and a mentor.  Also, that we honor the boxers of the past, present, and future who have trained in Kronk Gyms across this country, as well as the pioneering few who put on boxing gloves for the first time over 30 years ago in the original Kronk Recreation Center in Detroit.