SR725: SR725 Edward Crook Jr. Gymnasium; celebrate dedication

26 LC 129 0906 Senate Resolution 725 By: Senators Wicks of the 34th, Harbison of the 15th, Anderson of the 43rd, Payne of the 54th, Rhett of the 33rd and others A RESOLUTION Celebrating the dedication of the Edward Crook Jr. Gymnasium; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, affectionately known as Eddie, Edward Crook, Jr., became Columbus, Georgia's2 Olympic gold medalist at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy; and 3 WHEREAS, competing in middleweight boxing, Eddie was part of a historic and dynamic4 United States Olympic boxing team that included Muhammad Ali and Wilbur McClure; and5 WHEREAS, at age 31, Eddie was reportedly the oldest United Stat es Army boxer to ever6 win an Olympic gold medal, an extraordinary achievement that cr owned an already7 distinguished athletic career; and8 WHEREAS, following his Olympic triumph, Eddie retired from comp etitive boxing and9 continued his service with the United States Army, where his athletic excellence extended10 to football; and 11 WHEREAS, Eddie served with the United States Army for 30 years, achieving the rank of12 command sergeant major after serving two tours in Vietnam as we ll as earning the Silver13 Star, two Purple Hearts, and a Bronze Star; and14 S. R. 725 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0906 WHEREAS, Eddie supported the boxing program at the Fort Benning, where he established15 a training initiative known as the "Smokers"; and16 WHEREAS, on February 27, 2026, the Edward Crook Jr. Gymnasium, located on Fort17 Benning, will be dedicated in honor of Edward "Eddie" Crook, Jr .'s, lifetime of athletic18 success, service, and leadership.19 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body20 celebrate the dedication of the Edward Crook Jr. Gymnasium and honor the life of Edward21 "Eddie" Crook, Jr.22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed23 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to the family of24 Edward "Eddie" Crook, Jr.25 S. R. 725 - 2 -