Senate Resolution No. 523

BY: Senator CLEARE

        COMMENDING  Robert  McCullough  for  a lifetime of
        public service to the youth of Harlem, New York

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality of life in the communities across this great  State  of  New
York  is enriched by the diligence and compassionate commitment of those
individuals whose singular purpose is the care and welfare of our  young
athletes; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commend  Robert McCullough for a lifetime of public service to the youth
of Harlem, New York; and

  WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be  celebrated  at  the  57th
Anniversary   Event   for  Each  One  Teach  One,  Inc.  the  non-profit
organization which Robert McCullough helped form; and

  WHEREAS, A star basketball player for the Benedict College Tigers in
South Carolina, Robert "Bob" McCullough averaged 36.4 points  per  game,
making  him  the  second highest scorer in the nation; over a three-year
span, he scored an incredible 2,135 points; and

  WHEREAS, Robert  McCullough  was  the  first  black  athlete  to  be
selected  for  the  All-Southern  Textile  Basketball  All-Star  Team in
Greenville, South Carolina, and in 1965, he was  named  to  All-American
Honorable  Mention teams by sportswriters for United Press International
and Converse Magazine; and

  WHEREAS, This talented athlete was offered a contract by the  Harlem
Globetrotters, and in the 1965 NBA draft, he was taken in the 12th round
(91st overall) by the Cincinnati Royals; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1967,  Robert  McCullough  played  with the New Jersey
Asbury Park Boardwalkers in the Eastern Professional Basketball  League,
now  known  as the CBA, where he averaged 22 points and five assists per
game and was selected to the All-Rookie Team; and

  WHEREAS,  After  his  pro  basketball  career,   Robert   McCullough
furthered  his  education  by  obtaining a Master of Science degree from
Lehman  College  and  took  classes  at  New  York  University,  Cornell
University,  and  Hunter College; he then served as a guidance counselor
and social worker in New York City; and

  WHEREAS,   Robert   McCullough   is   the   commissioner   of    the
internationally known Rucker Summer Professional Basketball League which
plays  at  the  Greg  Marius  Court  at Holcombe Rucker Park, a renowned
basketball court at 155th Street and  Frederick  Douglass  Boulevard  in
Harlem;  many  who  have  played  at  the  park in the Rucker Tournament
achieved a level of fame for their abilities, and several have  gone  on
to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA); and

  WHEREAS,  Robert  McCullough and his colleague Fred Crawford started
the Rucker Pro Tournament in honor of mentor Holcombe Rucker; and

  WHEREAS,   Robert  McCullough  and  Fred  Crawford  also  co-founded
National Association of Each One Teach One, Inc. a  youth  developmental
mentoring  program  that instills the mantra, "Where Knowledge is Power"
in the young people of East Harlem; and

  WHEREAS, Each One Teach One uses sports as  a  vehicle  to  motivate
young  people  to  pursue  higher education and explore various careers;
members of Each One Teach One conducts college tours and provides  guest
speakers  from  public,  private  and  the  entertainment sectors, while
fostering self-respect, community awareness and self-empowerment; and

  WHEREAS, Through the  enthusiasm,  love,  and  tireless  efforts  of
Robert  McCullough,  numerous  young men and women, on and off the court
through the Each One Teach One Basketball Program, have averted  a  life
of  illegal activity on the streets, by promoting education, discipline,
drug prevention and mentoring; and

  WHEREAS, Rare indeed  is  the  impressive  dedication  shown  by  an
individual  for  the  benefit  of  others  which  Robert  McCullough has
displayed throughout his life; and

  WHEREAS, It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  that  when
individuals  of  such  noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the  citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Robert McCullough for a lifetime of public service to the  youth
of Harlem, New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Robert McCullough.