LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Universal Hip-Hop Parade for
Social Justice upon the occasion of hosting its 12th Annual Parade

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
individuals of historic and artistic significance whose creative talents
have contributed to the cultural enrichment of the communities of New
York State and our nation; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the
Universal Hip-Hop Parade for Social Justice upon the occasion of hosting
its Annual Parade on Saturday, August 13, 2011, in Brooklyn, New York;
and
WHEREAS, The Universal Hip-Hop Parade for Social Justice was founded
by Jeffery "Kazembe" Batts in the fall of 1999 and encourages the growth
of minority owned institutions; every year on the Saturday before Marcus
Garvey's August 17th birthday, it organizes the Universal Hip-Hop Parade
in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, The parade holds the distinction of being the world's longest
celebration of Hip-Hop culture; it covers all the traditional elements
of Hip-Hop including rappers, break dancers, singers and actors perform-
ing both on floats and on foot; additionally, graffiti artists and
deejays perform at different locations along the parade route; the
parade also serves as a reminder to the fact that Marcus Garvey also
used popular culture as a tool to empower people; and
WHEREAS, The Universal Hip-Hop Parade Foundation, Inc. has successful-
ly conducted the Universal Hip-Hop Parade in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brook-
lyn for 10 years; in its 11th year of existence as the Universal Hip-Hop
Parade Foundation, Inc., it embarks on its future internal growth as an
organization; and
WHEREAS, The Universal Hip-Hop Parade Foundation, Inc. is deeply root-
ed in the local community, and seeks to strengthen ties within the Hip-
Hop community; it also intends to extend its outreach efforts tenfold,
assisting the youth and minority owned businesses of Bedford Stuyvesant
and the Greater New York area; 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
commend the Universal Hip-Hop Parade for Social Justice upon the occa-
sion of hosting its 12th Annual Parade; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jeffery Kazembe Batts, Founder, Universal Hip-Hop Parade for
Social Justice.