PRINTER'S NO. 4199
No. 807 Session of 2004
INTRODUCED BY GILLESPIE, ARMSTRONG, BALDWIN, CAPPELLI, CORRIGAN,
CRAHALLA, CRUZ, DALEY, DENLINGER, DeWEESE, FABRIZIO, GEIST,
GEORGE, GINGRICH, GOOD, GOODMAN, HARRIS, HENNESSEY, HERSHEY,
HORSEY, JAMES, LEDERER, LEWIS, MAJOR, MUSTIO, PALLONE,
PICKETT, READSHAW, ROBERTS, ROSS, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, B. SMITH,
WOJNAROSKI, YOUNGBLOOD, FORCIER AND THOMAS, JUNE 29, 2004
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 29, 2004
A RESOLUTION
1 Commending the efforts of the International Martial Arts
2 Committee of Pennsylvania in fostering world peace through
3 international cooperation and the practice of martial arts
4 and recognizing the efforts of Master Tony Abel, Master
5 George Bierman and Judge Thomas Kelley to establish the
6 International Martial Arts College program in Pennsylvania.
7 WHEREAS, The practice of martial arts is an ancient Asian
8 form of athleticism that blends body strength and agility with
9 mental discipline, focus and awareness; and
10 WHEREAS, The martial arts have been gradually introduced into
11 Western culture and have become a popular athletic activity
12 worldwide; and
13 WHEREAS, The International Martial Arts College was created
14 in 1993 in St. Petersburg, Russia, to bring countries together
15 to promote world peace and cross-cultural exchange through the
16 practice of martial arts in international tournaments and other
17 similar competitions; and
1 WHEREAS, Since 1993, Master Tony Abel of York has served as
2 team captain and coach of American teams which have competed
3 internationally under the auspices of the International Martial
4 Arts College; and
5 WHEREAS, In 1995 Master Abel formed the nonprofit
6 International Martial Arts Committee of Pennsylvania and hosted
7 an international competition in York which raised several
8 thousand dollars for the Make-A-Wish Foundation; and
9 WHEREAS, Because of his commitment to bringing the
10 International Martial Arts College program to the United States
11 and Pennsylvania, Master Abel was appointed to the board of
12 directors of the international program; and
13 WHEREAS, The international program seeks to recognize
14 national and international champions and eventually establish as
15 an Olympic event because the competitive and world peace goals
16 of the Olympics coordinates with the goals of the International
17 Martial Arts College; and
18 WHEREAS, The International Martial Arts College program in
19 Pennsylvania is also indebted to Master George Bierman and Judge
20 Thomas Kelley for their invaluable assistance since 2000 in
21 aiding their teams to compete, not only as athletes but also as
22 ambassadors of good will; therefore be it
23 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the
24 efforts of the International Martial Arts Committee of
25 Pennsylvania in fostering world peace through international
26 cooperation and the practice of martial arts; and be it further
27 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
28 efforts of Master Tony Abel, Master George Bierman and Judge
29 Thomas Kelley to establish the International Martial Arts
30 College program in Pennsylvania.
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