Assembly Resolution No. 311

BY: M. of A. Barron

COMMEMORATING the 96th Birthday of Malcolm X, an
advocate for human rights, and one of the most
influential revolutionary 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 96th Birthday of Malcolm X, an advocate for human
rights, and one of the most influential revolutionary leaders in
history; and

WHEREAS, Annually, there is a wreath laying, and businesses shut
down for hours in honor of Malcolm X's birthday; and

WHEREAS, Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, on
May 19, 1925; and

WHEREAS, On January 14, 1958, Malcolm X married Betty Sanders; they
had six children, Attallah, Qubilah, Ilyasah, 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 people of
African ancestry in America; 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 travelled to the continent of Africa meeting with
African Leaders and connecting the struggle of African people in America
to the struggle of African liberation on the continent; and

WHEREAS, Malcolm X remained a strong advocate for revolutionary
Black nationalism, a call for establishing a nation within a nation for
people of African ancestry in America; and

WHEREAS, Malcolm X made his mark in the world during the Black Power
and Civil Rights Movements becoming one of the most memorable
revolutionary Black leaders from that era; and

WHEREAS, He was best known for being outspoken on human rights
issues; "The Ballot or the Bullet" and "Message to the Grassroots" are
two speeches made by Malcolm X that will go down in history as two of
the most powerful speeches every delivered in America; 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 recognition of the deceased Black revolutionary
leader, Lenox Avenue in Harlem, New York City was named after Malcolm X;
and

WHEREAS, The bravery, and the willingness of Malcolm X to sacrifice
his life for the well-being of future generations, is deserving of the
highest honor by all defenders of freedom and democracy; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 96th Birthday of Malcolm X, an advocate for human
rights,and one of the most influential revolutionary leaders in history.