A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO TO DECLARE JULY 15, 2005 AS "BOB FOSTER DAY" IN THE LEGISLATURE.

     WHEREAS, Bob Foster is one of New Mexico's most celebrated international sports figures and was elected to the first class of the international boxing hall of fame in 1990; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Foster, born in Albuquerque's south valley in 1938, has received awards from countless organizations throughout the United States; and

     WHEREAS, he fought light heavyweight world champion Dick Tiger before twelve thousand fans at Madison Square Garden to take the world champion title and went on to reign for six years as world light heavyweight champion; and

     WHEREAS, Bob fought world-renowned heavyweights Smokin' Joe Frazier in 1970 and Muhammad Ali in 1972 despite being in the light heavyweight class; and

     WHEREAS, he retired from boxing in 1978, with a career record of 56-8-1; and

     WHEREAS, Bob continues to work in semiretirement as a deputy sheriff after twenty years of full service with Bernalillo county; and

     WHEREAS, he has generously donated his time to the New Mexico boxing community, including youth at the San Jose community center and professional boxers such as New Mexico's top-ranked light heavyweight, Jason Cordova;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that July 15, 2005 be declared "Bob Foster Day" in the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to Bob Foster.