Senate Resolution No. 1653
BY: Senator TEDISCO
HONORING Billy Petrolle posthumously upon the
occasion of being inducted into the Schenectady
School District Athletic Hall of Fame
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
outstanding athletes who have distinguished themselves through their
exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest
level of personal achievement; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Billy Petrolle posthumously upon the occasion of being inducted into the
Schenectady School District Athletic Hall of Fame on Monday, September
16, 2019, at Glen Sanders Mansion, Scotia, New York; and
WHEREAS, Billy Petrolle was raised in Schenectady, New York, where
he attended public school and started boxing as an amateur at just 15
years old; and
WHEREAS, Known as Fargo Express, Billy Petrolle began his
illustrious pro boxing career in 1922; once rated as the top challenger
for the welterweight, junior-welterweight and lightweight titles, he
fought for the World Lightweight Title on November 4, 1932, at Madison
Square Garden; and
WHEREAS, With other notable fights against Barney Ross and Kid Berg,
Billy Petrolle knocked out Battling Battalino in front of 18,000 fans at
Madison Square Garden on March 24, 1932, and defeated Jimmy McLarnin at
MSG on November 21, 1930; and
WHEREAS, Participating in ten current or past World Championships,
Billy Petrolle won five of them; in addition to fighting 11 bouts at
Madison Square Garden, he fought at Yankee Stadium, Boston Garden and
Chicago Stadium; and
WHEREAS, Billy Petrolle graced the cover of The Ring magazine three
times and BoxRec.com lists him as the 47th best welterweight of all
time; he was also mentioned in the novel, Catch-22; and
WHEREAS, A member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame
(Canastota), World Boxing Hall of Fame, The Ring magazine Hall of Fame
and Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame, Billy Petrolle is one of three
fighting Petrolle brothers named a Schenectady Patroon; and
WHEREAS, Billy Petrolle has been an inspiration to countless boxing
fans, as well as to the community-at-large, and accordingly merits
recognition and applause for his tremendous passion for the sport and
his competitive spirit; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such outstanding athletic accomplishments are brought to
our attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Billy Petrolle posthumously upon the occasion of being inducted
into the Schenectady School District Athletic Hall of Fame, and for his
extraordinary accomplishments which were a tribute to his skill,
dedication and commitment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Billy Petrolle.