LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating the 86th Birthday of Malcolm X, a
human rights activist, and one of the most influential African-American
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 strug-
gle 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 celebrate
the 86th Birthday of Malcolm X, a powerful figure in American history;
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 Mali-
kah; and
WHEREAS, Once a member of the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X was a Muslim
minister, public speaker, and human rights activist; he was a courageous
advocate for the rights of African-Americans in the face of institution-
alized racism; 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, His pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia proved life-altering
and for the first time, he shared his thoughts and beliefs with differ-
ent cultures, and found the response to be overwhelmingly positive; and
WHEREAS, When he returned to the United States, Malcolm X mentioned
that while he was abroad he had met men of all races that he could call
his brothers; he also returned to the United States with a new outlook
on the African-American struggle for equality, a new message for all
mankind, and a new hope for the future; and
WHEREAS, On February 21, 1965 Malcolm X was assassinated while giving
a lecture in the Audubon Ballroom, in New York City, which was subse-
quently designated as a landmark and currently houses the Malcolm X and
Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center; and
WHEREAS, In 1987, in honor of the slain civil rights leader, Lenox
Avenue in Harlem, New York City was named after Malcolm X; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the 86th Birthday of Malcolm X, a human rights activist,
dynamic orator, and one of the most influential African-American leaders
in history.