Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2026 as Wrestling Month in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1474

BY: M. of A. Rules (Lemondes)

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        May 2026 as Wrestling Month in the State of New York

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
official  months  which  are  set aside to appreciate the great athletic
competitions that enhance the lives of citizens in New York State; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to  proclaim  May  2026  as  Wrestling
Month  in  the  State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
World Wrestling Month;

  WHEREAS, Wrestling refers to the sport of grappling with an opponent
and trying to throw or hold them down on the ground; the practice  dates
back  to  ancient  Sumeria,  and the Greeks introduced it to the ancient
Olympics in 708 B.C. as a form of soldiers' training; and

  WHEREAS, For the occasion, United World Wrestling has launched "This
Is Wrestling," a social media campaign asking athletes,  fans,  coaches,
and  members  of  the  wrestling community to share photos and videos of
themselves in relation to wrestling; and

  WHEREAS,  In  2022,  the  United  States  Wrestling  Foundation,   a
nationally  known non-profit organization, officially launched the first
national "Let's Wrestle" program  to  help  more  high  school  students
prepare  for  success  and overcome challenges through the principles of
wrestling; and

  WHEREAS, The campaign features prominent and  nationally  recognized
celebrities  who  attribute the disciplines learned in wrestling as part
of their professional success; this includes actors and  actresses  from
Hollywood,  athletes from the NFL and other sports, business leaders and
scientists, NASA astronauts, and IndyCar drivers, among others; and

  WHEREAS, Wrestling is currently the sixth  most  popular  boys  high
school sport and is the fastest growing girls high school sport; and

  WHEREAS,  This month we celebrate more than two millennia of the old
sport of wrestling worldwide and in the United States; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have  this  opportunity
to celebrate the historic sport of wrestling; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim  May  2026,  as  Wrestling
Month in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York.