Hinchey Introduces House Resolution Honoring
The Life & Accomplishments Of Floyd Patterson
Posted on 5-25-06

Late Boxing Champ Served As Role Model For Many In Hudson Valley

Editor’s Note—There will be a Memorial Service for Floyd Patterson this Saturday, May 27^th at 11 am at the St. Joseph’s Church in New Paltz NY. Following the service the Village of New Paltz will plant and dedicate a memorial tree in Patterson’s honor at Hasbrouck Park. The public is encouraged to attend both events. Floyd represented the very best of New Paltz and we all mourn his passing.—Erin Quinn NPN Publisher.

Washington, DC -- Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) this week introduced a House resolution to honor the extraordinary life and accomplishments of famed late boxer Floyd Patterson, who passed away on May 11 at the age of 71.  Patterson, an Olympic and world heavy champion who devoted his post-fighting career to serving as a mentor and role model for troubled youth, lived in New Paltz, New York, which is in the congressional district Hinchey represents.

"Floyd Patterson was an incredible athlete and an even more incredible human being whose kindness and generosity shined through to all those around him as he devoted his life to helping improve the lives of countless individuals." Hinchey said. "All of us who knew Floyd Patterson were better people because of it;  his positive impact and legacy will undoubtedly live on forever.  Those of us in the Hudson Valley are extremely grateful for his work with local troubled youth as well as local athletic programs and facilities."

Patterson was born in North Carolina, moved as a young child with his family to Brooklyn, New York where he ran into some trouble, and then at ten years old was sent to upstate New York to attend the Wiltwyck School for Boys where he began to turn his life around.  At age 14, Patterson began boxing under legendary trainer Constantine "Cus" D'Amato.  In 1952 at the Helsinki Olympics, Patterson won the gold medal, boxing as a middleweight.  In 1956, he became the youngest boxer to win the world heavyweight championship.  Patterson went on to fight a total of 64 matches, winning 55 of those fights, including 40 by knockout.  He was very well respected and was nicknamed "the Gentleman Boxer" because he helped his opponents to their feet after knocking them out.  In 1987, Patterson was elected into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and in 1991 he was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

In 1972, Patterson retired to his 17-acre farm in New Paltz.  He later served as chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission.  Patterson devoted much of his post-boxing life to counseling troubled teens.  He welcomed dozens of young men into his home and into the boxing ring he building in his barn, where he taught them how to box and how to live a dignified, meaningful life.  Patterson gave generously of himself to the young men he trained and to the Hudson Valley, including to the athletic facilities at New Paltz High School and the State University of New York at New Paltz.

The Hinchey resolution introduced in the House resolves, "That the House of Representatives celebrates the remarkable life and accomplishments of a great American athlete, Floyd Patterson, who after overcoming adversity in his own life, went on to inspire others to be the same kind of leader and role model that he was throughout his life." 

            Given the non-controversial nature of Hinchey's resolution in honor of Patterson, the congressman said he is optimistic that the House will quickly take up the measure and approve it.

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