* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: President Dixon
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Honoring the Life of James "Big Jim" Parker - The Colt, The Man, the Baltimorean
FOR the purpose of honoring the life of James "Big Jim" Parker, an exceptional star for 11 seasons with the Baltimore Colts, a dedicated Baltimore business owner, and a valued member of the Baltimore community for over 50 years.
Body
Recitals
James Thomas "Big Jim" Parker was born in Macon, Georgia in 1934. At the age of 13, Parker took up football while at the time weighing a meager 105 pounds. Four years later Parker had gained nearly 100 pounds and was in line for a college football scholarship at Ohio State University. After his college years in 1957, Jim was drafted by the Baltimore Colts and was one of the country's most sought after football players. He lived up to the hype, earning All-Pro honors eight consecutive seasons and getting inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Jim Parker was as great a hero off the field as he was on the field. After his retirement from pro football, Parker stayed in Baltimore, and worked for a major liquor distributor in Baltimore. After a number of years, "Big Jim" opened a package goods store at the corner of Liberty Heights Avenue and Garrison Boulevard. The store remained an institution in the Baltimore neighborhood for over 35 years.
He and many of his Colt teammates remained in Baltimore among the fans that loved and cherished them. In an age where athletes move from city to city on a daily basis, this quality of community involvement and respect is rarely seen anymore. Jim Parker loved Baltimore, and Baltimore loved him. He helped bring joy to the masses through his heroics on the field and was respected off the field as a member of the community. He worked hard protecting his Quarterback Johnny Unitas on the field, and just as hard as a citizen of the City of Baltimore, working a 14-hour workday for many of the 33 years that he ran the business. After the decline of the neighborhood and his health, Parker closed the business in 1999.
Despite his size and stature, Parker was an insightful and sensitive man. He was the father of 14 children and 23 grandchildren. He loved football, his fellow man, his family, and his city as much as any man could. His smile and positive outlook on life will be missed by all who knew him.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body honors the life of James "Big Jim" Parker, an exceptional star for 11 seasons with the Baltimore Colts, a dedicated Baltimore business owner, and a valued member of the Baltimore community for over 50 years.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the family of James Parker, the Mayor, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the Council.
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