LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Gilbert Scott-Heron, an
American poet, musician, and author

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Gilbert Scott-Heron of Harlem, New York, died on Friday, May
27, 2011, at the age of 62; and
WHEREAS, Gilbert "Gil" Scott-Heron was born on April 1, 1949, in
Chicago, Illinois, to Bobbie Scott-Heron and Gil Heron; and
WHEREAS, Gilbert Scott-Heron's mother sang with the New York Oratorio
Society, and his father, nicknamed "The Black Arrow," was a soccer play-
er who, in the 1950s, became the first black athlete to play for Glasgow
Celtic Football Club in Scotland; and
WHEREAS, Gilbert Scott-Heron was a long time resident of Harlem, New
York; he was an American poet, musician, and author known primarily for
his work as a spoken word performer; and
WHEREAS, When Gilbert Scott-Heron was 12 years-old, he moved with his
mother to the Bronx, and enrolled in DeWitt Clinton High School; soon
thereafter, he was granted a full scholarship to The Feildston School;
and
WHEREAS, After high school, Gilbert Scott-Heron attended Lincoln
University in Pennsylvania, as it was the college chosen by his biggest
influence, Langston Hughes; and
WHEREAS, After about two years at Lincoln University, Gilbert Scott-
Heron took a year off to write the novels "The Vulture" and "The Nigger
Factory"; and
WHEREAS, Although Gilbert Scott-Heron never received his undergraduate
degree, he received a master's degree in creative writing in 1972 from
Johns Hopkins University; his 1972 dissertation was titled, "Circle of
Stone"; and
WHEREAS, Gilbert Scott-Heron began his recording career in 1970 with
the LP "Small Talk at 125th and Lenox"; the album's 15 tracks dealt with
themes such as the superficiality of television and mass consumerism,
the hypocrisy of some would-be Black revolutionaries, and white middle-
class ignorance of the difficulties faced by inner-city residents; and
WHEREAS, Gilbert Scott-Heron's poetic style has been influential upon
every generation of hip hop music since his popularity began; as such,
he has been described by music writers as "the godfather of rap" and
"the black Bob Dylan"; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, Gilbert Scott-Heron leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Gilbert Scott-Heron, an American poet, musician, and
author; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Gilbert Scott-Heron.