LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 26th 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 commit-
ment; 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 increas-
ingly 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 spir-
its 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 nego-
tiation, in the face of international isolation; and
WHEREAS, Nelson Mandela spent 27 1/2 years imprisoned until an inter-
national 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 reconcil-
iation 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; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 26th Anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from
Victor Verster Prison on February 11, 1990.