WHEREAS,
Wilton Norman “Wilt” Chamberlain was born August 21, 1936 in Philadelphia, marking the beginning of a historic athletic career in track & field and basketball while attending Overbrook High School; and
WHEREAS,
After an outstanding career at Overbrook receiving numerous track and field medals, winning the Public basketball championship on several occasions, and becoming one of the all-time leading scorers in high school basketball, he then matriculated to University of Kansas to continue his athletic pursuits; and
WHEREAS,
At Kansas he became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, led them to a Big Seven championship, was elected Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four and First Team All-American, and at the young age of 21 had already been featured in
Time, Life,
and
Newsweek
before he turned professional ; and
WHEREAS,
“Wilt the Stilt” was an American professional National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball player from 1959 to 1973 for the San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers,the Los Angeles Lakers and the Harlem Globetrotters; and
WHEREAS,
Chamberlain holds numerous official NBA all time records; as the only player to average more than 40 and 50 points in a season or score 100 points in a single NBA game; and
WHEREAS,
Winning seven scoring titles, nine field goal percentage titles, eleven field goal percentage titles, two NBA titles, four regular-season Most Valuable Player Awards, one NBA finals MVP Award, and being selected to 13 All-Star Games and ten all NBA first and second teams ; and
WHEREAS,
Wilt Chamberlain is widely considered one of the greatest and most dominant players in the history of the NBA whose credential match or exceed other sports legends with their own stamps; and
WHEREAS,
It is the intent, that from this resolution Philadelphia will have undoubtedly acknowledged the achievements and contributions of Wilt Chamberlain; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE CITY OF COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA,
That we hereby urge the United States Postal Service and Citizens’ Stamp Advisory to adopt and recognize Philadelphia legend Wilt Chamberlain on a commemorative United States postage stamp.
.
FURTHER RESOLVED,
That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Wilt Chamberlain and Mr. Donald Hunt as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
End