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WHEREAS, born on August 13, 1921 in Crew, Virginia, Charles Leroy Daniels and his family moved to Pittsburgh in the early nineteen thirties. Charlie became interested in boxing at the age of 17 and soon became known as the "Pittsburgh Puncher". Charlie attended public school and graduated from the Fifth Avenue High School in 1939. In 1949, he joined the Central Baptist Church and was an active member. He sang in the choir and served on the Senior Men's Usher Board; and
WHEREAS, Working out of the Gateway Athletic Club in the Hill District and his own dynamic Daniels Athletic Club, Charlie Daniels dominated the amateur boxing arena in the City of Pittsburgh. Charlie, later, affectionately known as "The Champ," was instrumental in challenging the youth to become disciplined, taking them off the streets making effective changes in their young age as amateur boxers. "The Champ" made a direct impact on the youth. He was a member of the Amateur Athletic Association of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAA of the AAU) thrusting boxing teams to boxing championships at the Southside Recreational Center. The Champ trained many youth and conducted amateur bouts at the Hill District YMCA; and
WHEREAS, While the names of the people whom Charlie has had an impact on are far too many to mention, Ed "Cutie Pie" Chambers and "Chisolm", who now have their own fighters, are among the many. Also among these names include City of Pittsburgh Police Officer Robert White, Ernie Sharif, former fighters Ronnie "Bird" White, Mitchell Brown, Ernie and Danny Ruffin, Gary Robinson, "Major", and Boxer Verquan Kimbrough. Charlie devoted many years with over 85 fighters, supporters and associates of the sport of boxing and he extended his outstanding services to the community even extending the sport of boxing to women as far back as the 1970's. His devotion in the service of boxing was extended to all without discrimination; and
WHEREAS, Charlie married Melvena Holland and fathered five children, Melvin "Lucky" Daniels, Charles "Tubby" Daniels, Charlene Daniels Anderson, Antoinette Toni Jones and Reginald Everett. He has a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, one of which is Melvin "The Mel Man" Bradford a producer in the entertainment arena for such rap artists as Dr. Dre, Eminem and 50 Cent; and
WHEREAS, Charlie trained his son, Charles "Tubby" Daniels Jr. currently a retired City of Pittsburgh Fireman to the Olympic Firefighter Boxing in San Jose California. He fought on August 12, 1985 in the World Police and Fire Games in San Jose. "Tubby" trained under "The Champ" and defeated Marc Hanney of Westminster Colorado Police for the semi-finalist advancement; and then he defeated David Sparks of the Oakland, California Fire Department for the Gold Medal; and
WHEREAS, On June 10, 1989, Charlie and the Golden Gloves Association of the City of Pittsburgh, representing the United States of America versus the USSR defeated the boxing sport in Russia with a total of 7 wins and 5 losses. Charlie served as Commissioner of Boxing for the Pennsylvania State Correctional Institutions; and
WHEREAS, Although Charlie Daniels passed away on July 28, 1999, his life still exemplifies the torch of this proclamation which shows that his efforts to continue in the transformation of the lives of others still marches on.
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby wish to honor Mr. Charles Daniels by presenting the Daniels Family with a key to the City of Pittsburgh for all of his hard work and dedication to the improvement of our greater Pittsburgh community and declaring the weekend of July 18-19, 2008 Charles Daniels Weekend.