LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Yosef Alfredo Antonio Ben-
Jochannan, distinguished historian, Egyptologist, teacher, author, Afro-
centric scholar, activist, public intellectual and devoted member of his
community

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, Yosef "Dr. Ben" Ben-Jochannan of Harlem, New York, died on
Thursday, March 19, 2015, at the age of 96; and
WHEREAS, Yosef Ben-Jochannan was born on December 31, 1918; he was
educated in Puerto Rico, Brazil, Cuba, and Spain, earning degrees in
both engineering and anthropology; and
WHEREAS, Yosef Ben-Jochannan was a student of Arthur Schomburg in
Puerto Rico as a teenager, studied with Edward Wilmot Blyden in St.
Croix and took part in Puerto Rico's fight for independence in the
1950's alongside Pedro Albizu Campos, all of whom shaped his life, core
beliefs and future endeavors; and
WHEREAS, In 1938, Yosef Ben-Jochannan earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico; one year
later, he earned a Master's degree in Architectural Engineering from the
University of Havana, Cuba; he went on to receive Doctoral degrees in
Cultural Anthropology and Moorish History from the University of Havana
and the University of Barcelona, respectively; and
WHEREAS, Yosef Ben-Jochannan immigrated to the United States in the
early 1940s; he was employed as a draftsman and continued his studies;
and
WHEREAS, In 1945, Yosef Ben-Jochannan was appointed Chairman of the
African Studies Committee at the headquarters of the newly founded
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNES-
CO), a title he held until 1970; and
WHEREAS, In 1950, Yosef Ben-Jochannan began teaching Egyptology at
Malcolm King College in Harlem, New York, and then at City College in
New York City; from 1976-1987, he held the position of Adjunct Professor
at Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York; and
WHEREAS, Yosef Ben-Jochannan was the prolific author of 49 books,
primarily on ancient Nile Valley civilizations and their impact on West-
ern cultures, including AFRICAN ORIGINS OF MAJOR WESTEN RELIGIONS, BLACK
MAN OF THE NILE AND HIS FAMILY and AFRICA: MOTHER OF WESTERN CIVILIZA-
TION; and
WHEREAS, Yosef Ben-Jochannan conducted annual educational, empowering
pilgrimages to Egypt for over four decades, opening the eyes and minds
of multiple generations to the deep roots of African history originating
centuries ago in Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan; and
WHEREAS, Yosef Ben-Jochannan was a public intellectual who, in later
life, gave many formal lectures at home and abroad; whether he spoke to
hundreds or a small group his message was empowering people of color to
discover and define history from their own perspective; in addition, he
also made a number of appearances on Gil Noble's WABC-TV weekly public
affairs series LIKE IT IS; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, Yosef Ben-Jochannan donated his personal library of
more than 35,000 volumes, manuscripts and ancient scrolls to the Nation
of Islam; and
WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of Yosef Ben-Jochannan of Harlem, New York, a
preeminent citizen and educator whose distinguished service and caring

commitment will long serve as a standard to which others might aspire;
and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion and thirst for the truth, Yosef Ben-Jochannan 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 Yosef Alfredo Antonio Ben-Jochannan, distinguished
historian, Egyptologist, teacher, author, Afrocentric scholar, activist,
public intellectual and devoted member of his community; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Yosef Ben-Jochannan.