LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of THE CHAL-
LENGER

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those illustrious journalistic entities which have diligently and
consistently, year after year, recorded the history of their communities
and brought local news and news of the larger world to their readers;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of THE CHALLENGER; and
WHEREAS, Founded by Arthur O. Eve, Calvin Kimbrough and John Moore,
THE CHALLENGER'S first edition hit the streets of Buffalo, New York's
Black community on April 11, 1963 -- the same year civil rights leader,
Medgar Evers was assassinated; and
WHEREAS, THE CHALLENGER was used as a way to inform and energize
Buffalo's Black community, speaking out for the rights of the African-
American population and offering them a real alternative to an otherwise
negative and hostile press; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 50 years, THE CHALLENGER has been a testament
to an extensive period of unprecedented social and political change that
has greatly affected the Black community; and
WHEREAS, Today, THE CHALLENGER, under the leadership of Al-Nisa Banks,
is the largest circulated black newspaper in the state outside of New
York City, and serves as an expressive voice to the people of the
Buffalo region by providing a platform for all members of its community;
and
WHEREAS, This progressive paper has been a powerful tool in document-
ing the social, political, religious, cultural, artistic, business and
literary history and events for the Black community of Buffalo and
surrounding areas; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of THE CHALLENGER; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to THE CHALLENGER.