On the recordJune 9, 2016
Last week, the world lost a champion. Muhammad Ali was a gold medalist boxer and a three-time heavyweight champ, but what truly made him ``The Greatest'' was what he did outside of the ring. He had quick reflexes but a quicker wit. He was introduced to the world as a fighter, but he chose to hang up his gloves to stand up against the war. At a time when racism pushed so many people down, Muhammad Ali had the audacity to speak up--and people listened. I was lucky to have met Muhammad Ali several times. He spent much of his time in Los Angeles, and he became close with my dad, L.A. County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn. They were allies in the fight for civil rights and for struggling families. I have a Muhammad Ali story. In 1987, my dad suffered a debilitating stroke that left him partially paralyzed shortly before he was up for reelection to his 10th term. Muhammad Ali actually showed up at my parents' home in South Los Angeles one day, and he told my father that he would personally push him door-to-door in his wheelchair if that is what it took to get him reelected. You can imagine what that meant to my dad, to me, and to all of the neighborhood kids who actually saw Muhammad Ali do that with my dad. I will never forget that moment, and the world will never forget Muhammad Ali. ____________________
