CONGRESS, WILL THEY HELP SAVE THE GAME?
Washington, DC-During the first few days of the 1st session of the 109th Congress of the United States, on January 25, 2005, Senator John McCain of Arizona, with co-sponsors Senators Ted Stevens of Alaska, and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota introduced a bill in the Senate to establish, among other items, a United States Boxing Commission. The United States President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint this commission of three members.
LOFTY IDEALS ARE BEING HATCHED, The primary function of the commission is to protect the health, safety, and general interests of boxers consistent with the provisions of the act, and to ensure uniformity, fairness, and integrity in professional boxing.
A LIMITED AMOUNT OF SUCCESS
Believe it or not, Senator McCain was able to shepherd this bill through Senate channels, and on May 10th was able to announce that the Senate had passed the act by unanimous consent the day before.
THAT OTHER HOUSE OF THE HOUSE
Meanwhile, back in the House of Representatives, Representative Peter King of New York, along with co-sponsors Representatives Charles Pickering of Mississippi, and Tom Osborne of Nebraska, on February 1, 2005 introduced a companion bill for consideration. On March 24, 2005 the bill was referred to a subcommittee on workforce protections. May 5, 2005 Representative Bart Gordon of Tennessee jumped on board the bandwagon championing the cause of safety for boxers. June 7, 2005 Representative James P. McGovern of Massachusetts was also welcomed aboard as a sponsor of the good ship Lollipop as it sailed merrily on its way to nowhere.
WHAT IN THE HECK HAS HAPPENED SINCE?
Now it is some nine months later (a baby can be created in that length of time, much less an act of Congress), and weve heard nothing as to the progress of this bill through the House of Representatives. Was this nothing more than a ploy by the above members of the House to get their names associated with a worthy cause, only to forget about the entire matter some time in the future, and hope the public would do the same? Why is this bill languishing in a subcommittee in Congress? Is this what we pay our Congressional Representatives to do? I think its high time they got off their fat asses and did something for the sport of boxing like they so loftily led us to believe they were doing back in February.
JOHN MCCAIN, THE MAN SURVIVED HELL!
At this point I want to assure the world I have the utmost respect for Senator John McCain. In case you didnt know, in 1967, he was shot down over Vietnam and held as a prisoner-of-war in Hanoi for five and a half years (1967-1973), much of it in solitary confinement. He retired from the Navy as a Captain in 1981. Captain McCains naval honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. Although to the best of my knowledge I never met Captain McCain, I was in Naval Aviation at that same time, and I do not even like to think about what he was subjected to during those years. Captain McCain I salute you!
LEO PUTS FORTH HIS SMALL EFFORT
I wrote an email to Senator John McCain assuring him I realized he had already done his part, so to speak, but was there any possibility he could check into what was happening to the House version of the bill. This effort was not rewarded with any action. I had no response, though I told him I was writing a web article on the bills progress. Senator John McCain, I publicly ask that you do whatever is within your power as a United States Senator to insure that a United States Boxing Commission is established, honorably staffed, and placed in a position whereby it can control the sport of boxing within the United States.
ARIZONA BOXING NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF!
Within the State of Arizona, Senator McCains home base, lives one of the most questionable boxing cartels currently in existence. Of the States that need regulation the most, Arizona may not lead the list, but it isnt far from the top. Senator McCain, as much as I respect your past heroism, please look in your own backyard if you doubt that boxing needs further regulation.
AND IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
I hereby ask Representatives Peter King, Chip Pickering, Tom Osborne, Bart Gordon, and James P McGovern, Are you doing all that you can in the interests of professional boxing in the United States? Why are you allowing this bill to die a slow death in subcommittee? If you felt it worth introducing, why are you not working on its progress?
Leo Free Thinker Lawton
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