Senate Resolution No. 1109 BY: Senator GRIFFO HONORING Seth Abraham upon the occasion of being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 10-11, 2023 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge outstanding broadcast journalists who distinguished themselves through their exceptional story-telling in sports, attaining unprecedented success and the highest level of personal achievement; Seth Abraham is one such individual and his life of achievements inspired others and contributed to the respect and admiration of the sport of boxing; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Seth Abraham upon the occasion of being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame at Hall of Fame Weekend on June 10-11, 2023 in Canastota, New York; and WHEREAS, Born on August 20, 1947, Seth Abraham is an accomplished Broadcast Journalist who has covered many notorious boxing matches in his career; and WHEREAS, After graduating from the University of Toledo and Boston University, Seth Abraham worked for the New York Times and Major League Baseball before joining upstart cable company Home Box Office (HBO) in 1978 as director of sports operations; over the next two plus decades he rose through the ranks to become President and CEO of Time Warner Sports and became one of the most powerful, influential, and innovative figures in boxing; and WHEREAS, Under his leadership, HBO became the powerhouse "Network of Champions"; the legends Seth Abraham has negotiated to compete on HBO include Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez, Roy Jones Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson, and Pernell Whitaker; and WHEREAS, Seth Abraham incorporated a story-telling element to broadcasts that separated HBO from other networks and advanced him in his field; Abraham left in 2000 for Madison Square Garden, where he served as Executive Vice President and COO until 2004; and WHEREAS, In 2014, Seth Abraham was awarded the BWAA's Sam Taub Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism; and WHEREAS, Seth Abraham clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of the International Boxing Hall of Fame; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such outstanding 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 Seth Abraham upon the occasion of being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 10-11, 2023; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Seth Abraham.