Tommy Hilfiger is a proud New Yorker from Elmira.

He is also a household name, and the chances are good that each person present at this ceremony owns an article of clothing designed by him or bearing his label. The Tommy Hilfiger brand has become a symbol of the All-American spirit and continues to be regarded as one of the most recognized global lifestyle brands.

Tommy, the second of nine children, wrestled at Elmira Free Academy and, like most high school wrestlers, never won a league, section, or state championship. In fact, he spent most of his time on the team as a 98-pounder, which put him squarely behind teammate Tom Wilson who placed third in the state.

Nevertheless, Tommy worked hard and absorbed the lessons the sport can teach. He put lots of energy and hours of training into working with his brother, Bob, who wrestled at 126 pounds. Bob's record was 32-2.

In 1969, while still in high school, Tommy began his retail career with $150.00 and 20 pairs of bell-bottom jeans. Soon after, he opened his own small chain of stores called People's Place. Self-taught, he began designing the clothes that his customers wanted but could not find. In 1979, Tommy moved to New York City to pursue a career as a fashion designer. He launched his first signature menswear collection in 1984, and his updated take on button-down shirts, chinos, and other time-honored classics immediately struck a chord with consumers. In less than two years, the line had netted $11 million.

Since then he has expanded product offerings and distribution to include menswear, womenswear, jeanswear, childrenswear, related license products, fragrances, and home collections. The Tommy Hilfiger brand has developed extraordinary appeal across all sorts of demographics.

The fashion industry has noted Tommy's success and innovative spirit. In 1998, the Parson's School of Design in New York City honored him with its Designer of the Year Award. GQ Magazine also named him Designer of the Year in its annual "Men of the Year" issue in 1998. He was named Menswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 1995. That same year he received VH1's "From the Catwalk to the Sidewalk" Award at its annual Fashion and Music Awards. GQ Magazine again honored Tommy with its International Designer Award, presented to him in Germany in 2002. He has also been the recipient of several FiFi Awards, the fragrance industry's highest accolade.

In 1995, Tommy launched the Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation with the designated purpose of enriching the physical and intellectual well-being of youth and with a major emphasis on educational and cultural programs impacting a diverse population.

Since 1994, he has served on the board of directors of the Fresh Air Fund, a great organization familiar to New Yorkers that has benefited underprivileged children since 1877. Also since 1994, Tommy has served on the board of the Race to Erase M.S. (Multiple Sclerosis). He is actively involved in a number of other worthy endeavors, as well, including the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Project Foundation and the Anti-Defamation League. In November of 2002, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A .R.E.) organization presented Tommy with its highest honor, the Future of America Award, for his philanthropic efforts on behalf of America's youth.

And just a few months ago, Harvard University presented him its Humanitarian Award for 2006. Tommy and his wife of 27 years, Susan, are proud parents of four children who range in age from 21 to 10.

In recognition of his professional accomplishments, in praise of his exemplifying the character traits that wrestling develops in our youth, and particularly in honor of his work on behalf of others in need, on behalf of understanding among all Americans, and on behalf of the youth of America, the New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Upstate New York Chapter is most pleased to induct Tommy Hilfiger as an Outstanding American.