LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the life and achievements of Thomas
Jennings, the first African-American to be granted a patent

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the life and
achievements of Thomas Jennings, the first African-American to be grant-
ed a patent; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Jennings was born in New York City in 1791; at 30
years of age, he was the first African-American to receive a patent by
the United States Patent and Trademark Office; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Jennings, a well-known custom-tailor, was a small
business owner in New York City; during the course of his business prac-
tice, he invented a cleaning process called "dry scouring," which was
the precursor to dry cleaning; he applied for and was granted a patent
for dry scouring on March 3, 1821; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Jennings, a native New Yorker, was an entrepreneurial
trailblazer who was ahead of his time; as the first African-American to
be granted a patent, his success is an important part of the journey we
have traveled as a society in America; and
WHEREAS, The Thomas Jennings story will hopefully inspire the next
generation of engineers, scientists and mathematicians to contribute to
our innovation and tech economy; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the life and achievements of Thomas Jennings, the first African-
American to be granted a patent; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Thomas Jennings.