Senate Resolution No. 2240

BY: Senator CLEARE

COMMEMORATING the 99th Birthday of Malcolm X, an
advocate for human rights, and one of the most
influential African-American leaders in history

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend individuals and events which celebrate our nation's great
struggle to fulfill the promise of equality and opportunity for all; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 99th Birthday of Malcolm X, an advocate for human
rights, and one of the most influential African-American leaders in
history; and

WHEREAS, Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska on May
19, 1925, as the fourth of Earl and Louise Little's seven children;
Earl, a Baptist minister, was a follower of Marcus Garvey's black
nationalism and served as Omaha chapter president of Garvey's Universal
Negro Improvement Association; and

WHEREAS, Malcolm X was soon appointed as a minister and national
spokesperson for the Nation of Islam in the 1950s and 1960s; in March
1964, Malcolm X left The Black Muslims and formed two new organizations:
Muslim Mosque, Inc. and the Organization of Afro-American Unity; and

WHEREAS, After spending some time abroad, Malcolm X returned to
America with a new outlook regarding race; from then on, he stated that
his organizations were willing to work beyond African-American-centric
groups and instead, welcome all races; and

WHEREAS, On January 14, 1958, Malcolm X married Betty Sanders; they
had six children, Attallah, Qubilah, Iiyasah, Gamilah, Malaak, and
Malikah; and

WHEREAS, Once a member of the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X was a
Muslim minister, public speaker, and human rights activist; to his
admirers, he was a courageous advocate for the rights of
African-Americans in the face of institutionalized racism; and

WHEREAS, After his departure from the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X
founded Muslim Mosque Inc., and the Organization of Afro American Unity;
he then became a Sunni Muslim and after his holy pilgrimage to Mecca he
became El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz; and

WHEREAS, Malcolm X's pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia proved life
altering and for the first time, he shared his thoughts and beliefs with
different cultures, and found the response to be overwhelmingly
positive; and

WHEREAS, When he returned to the United States, Malcolm X mentioned
that while he was abroad he had met men of all races that he could call
his brothers; he also returned to the United States with a new outlook

on the African-American struggle for equality, a new message for all
mankind, and a new hope for the future; and

WHEREAS, On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated while
giving a lecture in the Audubon Ballroom, in New York City, which was
subsequently designated as a landmark and currently houses the Malcolm X
and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center; and

WHEREAS, In 1987, in honor of the slain civil rights leader, Lenox
Avenue in Harlem, New York City was named after Malcolm X; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 99th Birthday of Malcolm X, an advocate for human
rights, and one of the most influential African-American leaders in
history.