Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 25, 2005

Schumer Introduces Resolution Commemorating Life Of Late New York Giants Co-Owner, Wellington Mara

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer introduced a resolution today recognizing the tremendous achievements and impact of the late owner of the New York Giants football team. The Senate resolution honors Mara’s commitment to New York, his service to the United States as a naval officer during World War II, and his influence on the success of the National Football League.

Schumer said, "Wellington Mara was an owner with the right combination of success, strength, grace, dignity, and kindness. My prayers are with the Mara family and the entire New York Giants organization."

Recognizing the life and accomplishments of Wellington Mara of New York.

Whereas Tim Wellington Mara was born on August 14, 1916 in New York City;

Whereas Wellington Mara became a New York Giants’ ball boy at the age of nine;

Whereas Wellington Mara was made co-owner of the New York Giants in 1930 at the age of 14;

Whereas Wellington Mara graduated from Loyola High School, a Jesuit institution in Manhattan and then attended Fordham University;

Whereas the only interruption in Wellington Mara’s 81 years with the New York Giants organization was during World War II, when he served with distinction for more than three years in the Navy, seeing action in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters aboard aircraft carriers;

Whereas Wellington Mara was instrumental in crafting an agreement in which larger market teams shared television revenue with smaller market teams, thereby allowing football to thrive across the United States;

Whereas under nearly 80 years of Wellington Mara’s leadership, the New York Giants made 26 postseason appearances, the second highest in league history, including 18 National Football League Divisional championships, and six National Football League championships;

Whereas Wellington Mara displayed an unwavering commitment to his players and coaches by finding doctors for former players, paying for medical expenses and arranging help for their families;

Whereas Wellington Mara was an invaluable contributor to the National Football League as a member of many ownership committees and has been recognized for always putting the game’s interests ahead of what was best for the New York Giants;

Whereas, in 1997, Wellington Mara was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining his father, Tim Mara, who was a charter member of the Hall of Fame;

Whereas, at the end of a life dedicated to the great game of football, its fans, and players, Wellington Mara passed away on October 25, 2005, at the age of 89: Now, therefore, be it:

Resolved, That the Senate – 1) expresses its most sincere condolences to his family, the former Ann Mumm, who he married in 1954, their 11 children, and 40 grand children; and
2) recognizes the life and accomplishments of Wellington Mara, who, for more than eight decades, dedicated his life to the New York Giants and their millions of fans and supporters.

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