Senate Resolution No. 917

BY: Senator KENNEDY

CELEBRATING the 100th Anniversary of the Colored
Musicians Club of Buffalo, New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the outstanding contributions African-American musicians have
made to New York, and to express our appreciation for the extraordinary
music that has enriched this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Colored Musicians Club of
Buffalo, New York; and

WHEREAS, On February 3, 1917, the Colored Musicians Association of
Buffalo, Musicians Local 533, was officially established in Buffalo, New
York, under the auspices of the American Federation of Musicians; this
was after unsuccessful attempts by African-American musicians to join
Musicians Local 43, which had an official policy of segregation; and

WHEREAS, Subsequently, Buffalo became the eighth American city to
have a Colored Musicians Union in the American Federation of Musicians
(AFM); and

WHEREAS, In 1941, under the luminous direction of then President
James Petrillo, the AFM did away with subsidiary locals and Colored
Unions became fully autonomous; this meant that Local 533 was no longer
under the jurisdiction or control of Local 43, and both organizations
were chartered membership Locals within the AFM; and

WHEREAS, More than two decades later, in 1964, AFM's then President
Herbert Kenin informed these separate Locals that the Federation had to
desegregate or be in violation of the Civil Rights Act, which was
scheduled to take effect on July 1, 1965; and

WHEREAS, In 1969, after years of negotiations, Musicians Local 533
and Musicians Local 43, merged to become the American Federation of
Musicians Local 92, which remains today; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Colored Musicians Club of Buffalo, New
York is in direct correlation to the efforts of its current President,
George Scott, as well as its members, whose involvement is, and always
has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all
endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when musical
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Colored Musicians Club of
Buffalo, New York; and be it further


RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to George Scott, President, Colored Musicians Club of
Buffalo, New York.