Honor Mechelle Smith’s Induction

Senate Resolution No. 2689 BY: Senator TEDISCO HONORING Mechelle Smith upon the occasion of her induction into the Schenectady City School District Athletic Hall of Fame on September 11, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 Mechelle Smith upon the occasion of her induction into the Schenectady City School District Athletic Hall of Fame, to be celebrated at its 20th Annual Hall of Fame and Reunion Dinner on Monday, September 11, 2017, at Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady, New York; and WHEREAS, Mechelle Smith is an esteemed 1979 graduate of Linton High School, where she played basketball and threw shot put and discus on the track and field team; and WHEREAS, Mechelle Smith distinguished herself by her many notable achievements in Taekwondo, holding numerous records; she is a Fourth-degree Black Belt in Kukkiwon, Korea, and a Seventh-degree Black Belt in AAU Taekwondo; and WHEREAS, This exceptional athlete is a three-time Middleweight United States Taekwondo Union National Champion, and an amazing 14-time Middleweight AAU National Champion; and WHEREAS, In 1988, Mechelle Smith participated in trials for the first United States Olympic Taekwondo Team, where she served as first alternate; and WHEREAS, Mechelle Smith captured the Gold Medal at the 1992 Pan-Am Taekwondo Championship, and won the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic World Championships in 2001; she also won several Gold Medals in the United States Cup Championships where she represented the United States versus Korea, Canada and Puerto Rico; and WHEREAS, In addition to her induction into the Schenectady City School District Athletic Hall of Fame, Mechelle Smith is a two-time member of the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame; and WHEREAS, A retired New York State Trooper, Mechelle Smith currently owns and operates Mechelle's Way Taekwondo (MW Taekwondo), and teaches a self-defense course for women; and WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to Mechelle Smith; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Mechelle Smith for her extraordinary athletic accomplishments which are a tribute to her skill, dedication and commitment; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations with praise and pride to honor Mechelle Smith upon the occasion of her induction into the Schenectady City School District Athletic Hall of Fame; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Mechelle Smith, and the Schenectady City School District Athletic Hall of Fame.