WHEREAS, the City and County of San Francisco honors Walt Baptiste on the occasion of his 82nd birthday and for a lifetime of outstanding achievements; and
WHEREAS, Walt Baptiste is known throughout San Francisco, the United States, and the world for his great pioneering in the fields of Physical Culture, Health and Yoga for more than 60 years; and
WHEREAS, a former Mr. America, Walt Baptiste, starting as a 17-year-old young man, established the very first Center for Physical Culture using weights, barbells and dumbbells and other gymnasium equipment, introducing the science of Health and Physical Fitness to the citizens of our City; and
WHEREAS, also a prominent writer, having published numerous articles and books on these subjects, Walt Baptiste has taught a countless number of people through his classes and writings; and
WHEREAS, Walt Baptiste introduced the First Miss Chinatown Contest and the first Mr. Professional America event to founding his four story Center at Arguello and Clement Streets which contained the Health Center, The Health Food Store and Boutique, and the Hungry Mouth Restaurant; and
WHEREAS, Walt Baptiste is a loving a devoted husband to Magana, his wife of 56 years, who was also a pioneer in these fields and a first runner-up in the Miss U.S.A. Competition; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Willie L. Brown Jr., Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, honor Walt Baptiste for his many outstanding contributions to the health and spiritual consciousness of so many residents of our City, wish him a wonderful 82nd birthday and many more happy and healthy birthdays, and do hereby proclaim September 25, 1999 as...