Assembly Resolution No. 758

BY: M. of A. Pretlow

COMMEMORATING the 30th Anniversary of the release
of Nelson Mandela from Victor Verster Prison on
February 11, 1990

WHEREAS, Nelson Mandela was born at Qunu, near Umtata on July 18,
1918; his father was a chief councilor to Thembuland's acting chief,
David Dalindyebo; when his father died, Nelson was groomed to become
chief of his local tribe, however, he would never be able to make this
commitment; and

WHEREAS, While at University, Nelson Mandela became increasingly
aware of the unjust nature of South African Society; the majority of
Black South Africans had little opportunities either economic or
political; much to the disappointment of his family, Nelson became
involved in politics, and along with his good friend and comrade, Oliver
Tambo, was expelled from Fort Hare for organizing a student strike; and

WHEREAS, However, Nelson Mandela was able to finish his degree and
qualified as a lawyer; in 1952, Nelson and Oliver opened the first Black
law firm in South Africa; the Transvaal Law Society tried to have it
closed down, but was blocked by the South African Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS, By the late 1950s, the South African state had become
increasingly repressive, making it more difficult for Nelson Mandela's
African National Congress to operate; he was forced to resign from the
African National Congress and work underground; from 1956-1961, there
was an extremely lengthy "Treason Trial" in which Nelson and several
others were charged with treason; conducting their own defense, they
eventually proved to be victorious; and

WHEREAS, However, in 1960, the Sharpeville Massacre of 63 Black
South Africans changed the whole political climate; South Africa was
increasingly isolated on the international scene and the government
banned the African National Congress; this led Nelson Mandela to
advocate armed struggle through the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK); and

WHEREAS, By 1962, Nelson Mandela had been arrested and sentenced to
life imprisonment in the notorious Robben Island prison, and later in
Pollsmoor Prison and Victor Verster Prison; life at the prison was tough
and uncompromising; in his autobiography, he reveals how he sought to
make the best use of his time there; he helped to keep other men's
spirits high and never compromised his political principles when offered
early release; towards the end of his imprisonment his treatment
improved as the South African establishment increasingly looked to
negotiation, in the face of international isolation; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Mandela spent 27 1/2 years imprisoned until an
international movement directed by exiled African National Congress
leader Oliver Tambo led to his release; many countries imposed sanctions
on the South African Government to pressure it to dissolve the
oppressive institution of apartheid; and

WHEREAS, Upon Nelson Mandela's release, his first official visit to
the United States began with a stop in central Brooklyn on June 21,
1990; and

WHEREAS, The NYPD estimated that 100,000 Brooklynites greeted Nelson
Mandela's motorcade which passed through the neighborhoods of East New
York and Fort Green; and

WHEREAS, When Nelson Mandela was freed by President Frederik Willem
de Klerk, he began the onerous task of negotiating reforms which would
lead to South Africa's first democratic elections with universal
suffrage; and

WHEREAS, In 1993, Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
jointly with F.W. de Klerk; and

WHEREAS, On April 27, 1994, Nelson Mandela was elected the nation's
first Black President; he served one five-year term presiding over the
transition from minority rule and apartheid; his advocacy of
reconciliation led to international acclaim and importantly the trust of
the White African population; despite the initial euphoria of winning
the election, the African National Congress faced a difficult challenge
to improve the lives of the Black population; and

WHEREAS, World leaders gathered at the United Nations in New York
for the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit to reflect on global peace in honor
of the centenary of Nelson Mandela's birth and adopted a declaration
recognizing 2019-2028 as the Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace; and

WHEREAS, Every year, the United Nations celebrates this great leader
by marking his birthday, July 18th, as Nelson Mandela International Day;
people are encouraged to Take Action! and Inspire Change! in an effort
to make the world a better place; and

WHEREAS, Once every five years, commencing in 2015, the prestigious
Nelson Mandela Prize is awarded to two individuals, one male and one
female, who emulate the great works and contributions of this former
South African President by devoting their lives to the service of
humanity; 2020 marks the second time the award will be given; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from
Victor Verster Prison on February 11, 1990.