LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Apollo
Theater on 125th Street in Harlem, New York

WHEREAS, The arts, in whatever form depicted, are central to human
expression; they are truly a universal language and their contribution
to the development of friendship and understanding among all peoples
cannot be underestimated; and
WHEREAS, The history, the heritage, and the lives of the people of all
countries and all cultures are portrayed in their music and dance; the
art and act of sharing them enriches us altogether; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those institutions which seek to preserve and celebrate the
musical heritage of our great State and Nation; 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 75th Anniversary of the Apollo Theater on 125th Street in
Harlem, New York; and
WHEREAS, Originally opened as a burlesque theater to white audiences,
the Apollo Theater on 125th Street changed hands a couple times before
it was eventually opened to the African-American public in 1934; and
WHEREAS, The Harlem Renaissance attracted many of the best African-Am-
erican performers to Harlem; and
WHEREAS, There was an increased demand for shows which featured Afri-
can-American performers, the Apollo Theatre became the first, and for
many years only, theatre in New York City that hired African-American
talent; and
WHEREAS, Over the next few decades, the theater would gain popularity,
as it's "amateur night" became the launch pad for the careers of artists
like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Dianna
Ross, Luther Vandross and Lauryn Hill, the Apollo Theater really became
"where stars are born and legends are made"; and
WHEREAS, After several difficult years, the Apollo Theater was in
danger of closing; in 1983, the theater gained federal, state and city
landmark status, allowing it to get back on its feet again and re-opened
in 1985 and hosted a big fiftieth anniversary show; in 1991, the state
of New York purchased the theater and it is currently run by a non-pro-
fit organization: The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 75 years, the Apollo Theater has proved its
status as a powerhouse in entertainment; famous for its Amateur Night at
the Apollo, another show that has also gained fame is 'Showtime at the
Apollo'; it became home to episodes of 'Spectacle with Elvis Costello'
in 2008, a show airing on the Sundance Channel, continuing its tradition
of celebrating unique talent; and
WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts of
our Nation, to honor our artists, and to express our appreciation to
everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate the arts, we cele-
brate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere in
which artists can truly create and in which art is truly the expression
of the soul; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when insti-
tutions that have brought entertainment and cultural enrichment to the
citizens of the great State of New York, are brought to our attention,
it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend those institutions
for the edification and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Apollo Theater on 125th Street
in Harlem, New York, fully confident that this historic landmark will

continue to enjoy the sparkling success which has so characterized its
past; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Apollo Theater.