LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the
National Urban League

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals that are devoted to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry; 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 100th Anniversary of the National Urban League; and
WHEREAS, Founded in New York City on September 29, 1910, by Ruth
Standish Baldwin and Dr. George Edmund Haynes, the National Urban Leag-
ue, formerly known as the National League on Urban Conditions Among
Negroes, is a nonpartisan civil rights organization based in New York
City that advocates on behalf of African-Americans and against racial
discrimination in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the Urban League movement is to enable Afri-
can-Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil
rights; and
WHEREAS, The National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its local
affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research
and advocacy; there are more than 100 local affiliates in 36 states and
the District of Columbia, providing direct services that impact and
improve the lives of more than 2 million people nationwide; and
WHEREAS, The National Urban League employs a five-point approach to
provide economic empowerment, educational opportunities and the guaran-
tee of civil rights for African-Americans; its five point empowerment
strategy is directed at education and youth, economics, health and qual-
ity of life, civic engagement and leadership, and civil rights and
racial injustice; and
WHEREAS, On May 15, 2003, the Board of Trustees of the National Urban
League voted overwhelmingly to appoint former New Orleans Mayor Marc H.
Morial as the League's eighth President and Chief Executive Officer; and
WHEREAS, Marc H. Morial has compiled a distinguished professional
career that has spanned 25 years; he is an entrepreneur, lawyer, profes-
sor, former legislator, former Mayor of New Orleans and former President
of the U.S. Conference of Mayors; and
WHEREAS, As President of the National Urban League since 2003, Marc H.
Morial has been the primary catalyst for an era of change and transfor-
mation for the nearly 100 year old civil rights organization; his ener-
getic and skilled leadership has expanded the League's work around an
Empowerment agenda, which is redefining civil rights in the 21st century
with a renewed emphasis on closing the economic gaps between whites and
blacks as well as rich and poor Americans; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this
Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to the National Urban
League and its President and Chief Executive Officer, Marc H. Morial;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions and individuals 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
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the National Urban League; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Marc H. Morial, President and Chief Executive Officer, the
National Urban League.