HR1620: HR1620 Morehouse Boxing Club; commend

26 LC 112 3840 House Resolution 1620 By: Representatives Bell of the 75 th, Berry of the 56th, Holly of the 116th, McQueen of the 61st, Jones of the 60th, and others A RESOLUTION Commending the Morehouse Boxing Club; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the Morehouse Boxing C lub was founded in 2021 by Jacob ey D. Bell in the2 lobby of Perdue Hall at Morehouse College; and3 WHEREAS, as a product of the Guns Down Hands Up Boxing Gym, Mr. Bell was inspired4 by the discipline, structure, and principles instilled in him through boxing, which motivated5 him to establish a program that would offer similar guidance and opportunity to other young6 men; and7 WHEREAS, the club began humbly yet boldly, frequently filling the lobby of Perdue Hall8 for meetings, practices, and sparring tournaments, demonstrating immediate student interest9 and engagement; and10 WHEREAS, despite facing early challenges and administrative rep rimands for hosting11 practices and sparring tournaments on campus, the club persevered through determination12 and commitment; and13 H. R. 1620 - 1 - 26 LC 112 3840 WHEREAS, Morehouse College Chief of Police Charles Prescott intervened in support of14 the organization, becoming its first official advisor and helpi ng ensure that meetings and15 competitions could be conducted safely and in accordance with campus policy; and16 WHEREAS, through years of hard work, loyalty, and dedication, t he Morehouse Boxing17 Club earned the opportunity to compete in the 2025 United State s Intercollegiate Boxing18 Association (USIBA) National Tournament; and19 WHEREAS, in the face of adversity and strong national competition, the team distinguished20 itself by earning two championship belts, won by Kaleb Hudson and Elijah McClean; and21 WHEREAS, the Morehouse Boxing Club proudly became the first His torically Black22 College or University to enter and win at the USIBA National To urnament, establishing a23 historic milestone for HBCUs nationwide; and24 WHEREAS, the organization now seeks to return to the 2026 USIBA National Tournament25 in Las Vegas, Nevada, with both returning athletes and new comp etitors representing26 Morehouse College and the State of Georgia; and27 WHEREAS, the mission of the Morehouse Boxing Club is to engage the community on and28 off campus by promoting discipline, physical fitness, mentorship, and healthy lifestyles as29 positive alternatives for young people; and30 WHEREAS, the club regularly visits local middle and high school s to present boxing not31 only as a competitive sport but also as a pathway to higher edu cation and leadership32 development; and33 H. R. 1620 - 2 - 26 LC 112 3840 WHEREAS, the organization is actively working to secure scholar ship opportunities to34 enable young athletes to attend Morehouse College and further their academic and athletic35 aspirations; and36 WHEREAS, the following student athletes exemplify the Morehouse Boxing spirit of37 dedication, fitness, scholarship, and mentorship: Ethan Stevenson, Senior, Economics Major,38 Baltimore, Maryland, 147 pounds Beginner Division, third place with a 1 and 1 record, who39 aspires to pursue a career in finance and establish his own inv estment and wealth40 management firm; Alofamoni Galoia, Junior, Business Major, Pavaiai, Tutuila, 165 pounds41 Beginner Division, who aspires to home ownership and entrepreneurship; Joshua Callahan,42 Freshman, Biology Major, Atlanta, Georgia, 154 pounds Beginner Division, who plans to43 pursue a career in hematology within the medical profession; Elijah McClean, Sophomore,44 Business Administration Major with a concentration in Marketing, Brooklyn, New York, 16545 pounds Open Division Champion with a 1 and 0 record; Emmanuel S eifu, Freshman,46 Kinesiology Major, Marietta, Georgia, 154 pounds Open Division with a 3 and 2 record, who47 aspires to pursue professional boxing and become a Physician As sistant; Kaleb Hudson,48 Junior, Biology Major, Lithonia, Georgia, 140 pounds Beginner D ivision Champion, who49 aspires to pursue a career in psychedelic research and holistic health entrepreneurship;50 Breonne Dupree, Sophomore, Dual Degree Engineering Major, Atlanta, Georgia, 132 pounds51 Beginner Division, who aspires to become a hardware engineer at an impactful technology52 company and open a consignment business; and Chad Pitts, Junior , Economics Major,53 Atlanta, Georgia, 135 pounds Open Division, who aspires to pursue a professional boxing54 career following graduation.55 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that56 the members of this body commend the Morehouse Boxing Club for its historic57 H. R. 1620 - 3 - 26 LC 112 3840 achievements, dedication to mentorship and community engagement, and for representing58 Morehouse College and the State of Georgia with excellence and distinction.59 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized60 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the61 Morehouse Boxing Club.62 H. R. 1620 - 4 -