Assembly Resolution No. 553

BY: M. of A. Cunningham

COMMEMORATING the 100th Birthday of Malcolm X, a
Revolutionary Leader and Champion for Justice

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend individuals and events which celebrate our nation's great
struggle to fulfill the promise of equality and opportunity for all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
100th Birthday of Malcolm X, a Revolutionary Leader and Champion for
Justice; and

WHEREAS, The legacy of Malcolm X is honored in Brooklyn through the
renaming of the Utica Avenue train station to Malcolm X Boulevard/Utica
Avenue station; and

WHEREAS, Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha,
Nebraska, was a transformative leader whose life and legacy continue to
inspire generations in the ongoing fight for racial equality, social
justice, and human rights; and

WHEREAS, Malcolm X endured great personal tragedy and systemic
oppression throughout his life, including the loss of his father to
racial violence, the institutionalization of his mother, and his
experiences with poverty and the criminal justice system, yet rose to
become one of the most profound voices of the 20th century; and

WHEREAS, Malcolm X's journey of self-discovery, intellectual growth,
and spiritual transformation led him to embrace the principles of
self-determination, unity, and empowerment for African Americans, which
he articulated with unflinching courage and eloquence; and

WHEREAS, As a minister and national spokesperson for the Nation of
Islam, Malcolm X ignited a global movement, calling attention to the
systemic racism, economic inequality, and structural barriers that
marginalized Black communities; and

WHEREAS, Malcolm X's pilgrimage to Mecca in 1964 marked a pivotal
turning point in his worldview, as he embraced the universality of human
rights and advocated for solidarity among all oppressed peoples,
regardless of race or creed; and

WHEREAS, His teachings emphasized the value of education, the
importance of cultural pride, and the necessity of political and
economic independence in the struggle for liberation; and

WHEREAS, Malcolm X's enduring legacy can be felt across movements
for civil rights, Black empowerment, Pan-Africanism, and global
liberation, with his words and ideas continuing to inspire activists,
scholars, and communities worldwide; and

WHEREAS, On this 100th Anniversary of his birth, we reflect on
Malcolm X's unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and the upliftment

of marginalized communities, and honor his contributions to the global
struggle for freedom and equality; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Birthday of Malcolm X, and to recognize his
extraordinary contributions to the fight for racial and social justice;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body reaffirm its commitment to
continuing the work of dismantling systemic racism, promoting equality,
and uplifting the voices of the oppressed, as we honor the memory of
Malcolm X and his lifelong dedication to these principles.