LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Sam Greenlee, distinguished
writer, civil rights activist, and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Sam Greenlee died on Monday, May 19, 2014, at the age of 83;
and
WHEREAS, Sam Greenlee was born on July 13, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois;
he received a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University
of Wisconsin at Madison in 1952, and studied international relations at
the University of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed man served his country as a member of the
United States Army, achieving the rank of lieutenant; and
WHEREAS, After completing his military service, Sam Greenlee became
one of the first African Americans to join the U.S. foreign service,
working from 1957-1965 for the United States Information Agency (USIA)
in Iraq, Pakistan, Indonesia and Greece; he was awarded the Meritorious
Service Medal for bravery during the Baghdad revolution; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, this esteemed man left USIA to focus on his writing
career, soon after publishing his most famous and influential work, THE
SPOOK WHO SAT BY THE DOOR; and
WHEREAS, THE SPOOK WHO SAT BY THE DOOR is the story of Dan Freeman, a
black CIA officer who, confronted with a racist and oppressive regime,
courageously decides to leave the spy agency and returns to his native
Chicago, where he puts his CIA training to use by organizing a revolu-
tionary movement born of political and social consciousness that spreads
nationwide; and
WHEREAS, In 1973, Sam Greenlee and another writer completed a screen
play for the book which was made into a film directed by Ivan Dixon with
an accompanying soundtrack by Herbie Hancock; the movie is considered
one of the most memorable and impassioned films of its genre and its
reputation has grown in stature over the intervening decades; in 2012 it
was added to the National Film Registry; and
WHEREAS, Sam Greenlee published his second novel, BAGHDAD BLUES, in
1976, drawn from his experiences in Iraq; in addition, he taught screen-
writing at Chicago's Columbia College, was the host of a radio talk
show, wrote poetry and completed an autobiography; and
WHEREAS, Sam Greenlee distinguished himself in his profession and by
his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
social justice, this remarkable man leaves behind a legacy which will
long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory
to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Sam Greenlee, distinguished writer, civil rights
activist and devoted member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Sam Greenlee.