Cicero President recognized for fight against street gangs

Town President Larry Dominick was honored Wednesday (June 20, 2018) by the Illinois Crime Commission and the Police Athletic League for his support of athletic and youth programs in the Town of Cicero that give young people alternatives to street gang involvement.

Since 2005, Cicero programs have helped significantly reduce the activity of Street Gang criminals in the Town of Cicero, also reducing dramatically the number of street gang-related shootings.

The Illinois Crime Commission and Police Athletic League presented President Dominick with the Ezzard Charles Award, named after the former World Heavyweight Championship Boxer, Ezzard Mack Charles, known professionally as “The Cincinnati Cobra.”

Cicero Town President Larry Dominick and his wife Diana Dominick receive the Ezzard Charles Award from the Illinois Crime Commission and the Police Athletic League for his support of athletic and youth programs in the Town of Cicero that give young people alternatives to street gang involvement.

Although he fought many of the greatest fighters in the ring, one of his greatest victories, 93 in all, was against former world champion Joe Louis. He became the world champ and defended his title three times. He served in the military during World War II and returned to the ring after his tour of service. Also, well known as a great jazz musician, he was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.

This award exemplifies someone with outstanding courage, class, and dedication to their career and to others. He was known as a man of extraordinary skill, ability, and character. He was well respected in and out of the boxing ring.

The ICC/PAL presented many awards that evening but the top award was in recognition of President Dominick’s efforts to give young people alternatives to street gang involvement and making a difference in the safety of the Town of Cicero.

The ISCC/PAL is dedicated toward assisting law enforcement in its fight to eliminate the opioid threat. Besides efforts to educate and inform government officials and the public, the ICC/PAL have teamed with masters of martial arts and self-defense to help provide a pathway for young people away from street gangs and drugs, and into a world of self-discipline and measured respect.

The Illinois Crime Commission and Police Athletic League presented President Dominick with the Ezzard Charles Award, named after the former World Heavyweight Championship Boxer, Ezzard Mack Charles, known professionally as “The Cincinnati Cobra.”

With the help of Town President Larry Dominick and the Town of Cicero Board of Trustees, ICC/PAL will host the first World Martial Arts Amateur Championships, taking place at the Unity Center in Cicero on August 25th.

Over a dozen martial arts masters will be in attendance, demonstrating aspects of various self-defense disciplines and attendees from throughout the United States will be vying for a championship medal. The ISCC/PAL recognizes that in order to steer our children away from the path of gangs and drugs, you must first ensure that there is another path available.

Joining President Dominick at the ICC/PAL reception is his wife Diana.

Spanish translation:

El Presidente Municipal Larry Dominick, fue honrado el miércoles por la noche por la Comisión del Crimen de Illinois y la Liga Atlética de la Policía por su apoyo a los programas atléticos y juveniles en el Municipio de Cícero que brindan a jóvenes alternativas a la participación en pandillas callejeras. Desde el 2005, los programas han ayudado a reducir significativamente el crimen de pandillas callejeras en el Municipio de Cícero, también reduciendo dramáticamente el numero de tiroteos relacionados con pandillas callejeras.

La Comisión del Crimen de Illinois y la Liga Atlética de la Policía presentaron al Presidente Dominick
con el Premio Ezzard Charles, llamado así por el ex boxeador del Campeonato Mundial de Peso Pesado Ezzard Mack Charles, conocido como “La Cobra de Cincinnati”. A pesar de que boxeo contra muchos de los mejores boxeadores del cuadrilátero, una de sus mayores victorias, 93 en total, fue contra el ex campeón mundial Joe Louis. Se convirtió en campeón mundial y defendió su título tres veces. Sirvió en el ejército durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial y regresó al cuadrilátero después de su gira de servicio. Además, conocido como un gran músico de jazz, fue elegido miembro del Salón de la fama del Boxeo Internacional en 1990.

Este premio ejemplifica a alguien con valor, clase y dedicación excepcionales para su carrera y para otros. Fue conocido como un hombre de extraordinaria habilidad, capacidad y carácter. Fue muy respetado dentro y fuera del cuadrilátero de boxeo.

El ICC / PAL presentó muchos premios esa noche, pero el máximo galardón fue en reconocimiento de los esfuerzos del Presidente Dominick por brindar alternativas a los jóvenes a la participación de pandillas callejeras y por hacer una diferencia en la seguridad del Municipio de Cícero.

El ISCC / PAL se dedica a ayudar a las fuerzas del orden en su lucha para eliminar la amenaza de los opiáceos. Además de los esfuerzos para educar e informar a los funcionarios gubernamentales y al público, el ICC / PAL se asoció con maestros de artes marciales y autodefensa para ayudar a proporcionar un camino para los jóvenes lejos de las pandillas callejeras y las drogas, y en un mundo de autodisciplina y respeto medido.

Con la ayuda del Presidente Municipal Larry Dominick, y la Junta de Síndicos del Municipio de Cícero, ICC / PAL será el anfitrión del primer Campeonato Mundial Amateur de Artes Marciales, que tendrá lugar en el Centro Unity en Cícero el 25 de agosto. Sobre una decena de maestros de artes marciales estarán presentes, demostrando aspectos de varias disciplinas de autodefensa y los asistentes de todo Estados Unidos competirán por una medalla de campeonato. El ISCC / PAL reconoce que para alejar a nuestros niños del camino de las pandillas y las drogas, primero debe asegurarse de que haya otro camino disponible.

Uniéndose al Presidente Dominick en la recepción de ICC / PAL es su esposa Diana.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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