LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Dr. Vincent Harding,
distinguished citizen and devoted civil rights advocate

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, Dr. Vincent Harding of Harlem, New York, died on Monday, May
19, 2014, at the age of 82; and
WHEREAS, Vincent Harding was born on July 25, 1931, in New York City,
where he attended public school, graduating from Morris High School in
the Bronx in 1948; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed man received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in
History from City College of New York, in 1952, and the following year,
graduated from Columbia University, where he earned his Master's Degree
in Journalism; and
WHEREAS, After serving his country honorably as a member of the United
States Army, Dr. Vincent Harding received his Master's Degree in Histo-
ry, followed by his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, In Chicago, Dr.Vincent Harding served as a lay pastor in the
Mennonite Church and as a church representative; he also traveled to the
South to observe race relations, meeting Dr. Martin Luther King and
becoming deeply influenced by him; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Harding married the former Rosemarie Freeney and moved to
Atlanta in 1960, where they established Mennonite House, an integrated
community center; and
WHEREAS, While in Atlanta, Dr. Vincent Harding became a friend, advis-
er and speechwriter for Dr. Martin Luther King; he also joined the
department of history and sociology at Spelman College, becoming the
department chairman; and
WHEREAS, As a speechwriter for Dr. Martin Luther King, Dr. Vincent
Harding contributed one of the most inspiring, visionary and harrowing
speeches ever given by the legendary civil rights leader; the address,
known variously as "Beyond Vietnam" and "A Time to Break Silence,"
helped Dr. King express his ardent opposition to the Vietnam War and
establishment of a "creative psalm of peace" and "beautiful symphony of
brotherhood"; and
WHEREAS, After Dr. King's death, Dr. Vincent Harding admirably carried
on his work, serving as director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
Center until 1970; he later directed the Institute of the Black World,
an organization which promotes black studies and black intellectual
life; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable man taught at Temple University and the
University of Pennsylvania before joining the Iliff faculty in 1981;
furthermore, he and his wife established Veterans of Hope Project, which
documents stories of social justice leaders from around the world; and
WHEREAS, An important historian, Dr. Vincent Harding was author of
such notable works on the history of the civil rights movement as, THERE
IS A RIVER: THE BLACK STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM IN AMERICA, THE OTHER AMERI-
CAN REVOLUTION, HOPE AND HISTORY and MARTIN LUTHER KING: THE INCONVEN-
IENT HERO; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Vincent Harding was known as a tireless promoter of black
studies as an academic discipline at colleges and universities through-
out the country; in addition, he served as a consultant to television
programs about the African-American experience, including the critically
acclaimed documentary series EYES ON THE PRIZE; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Vincent Harding distinguished himself in his profession
and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the fight
against injustice; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his first wife, Rosemarie Freeney Harding, Dr.
Vincent Harding is survived by his second wife, Aljosie Aldrich Harding;
one daughter, Rachel Harding; and a son, Jonathan; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a strong
desire for social change, Dr. Vincent Harding leaves behind a legacy
which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comfort-
ing 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 Dr. Vincent Harding, distinguished citizen and
devoted civil rights advocate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Dr. Vincent Harding.