LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 99th Anniversary of the Colored
Musicians Club of Buffalo, New York, Inc.

WHEREAS, The arts, in whatever form depicted, are central to human
expression; they are truly a universal language and their contribution
to the development of friendship and understanding among all peoples
cannot be underestimated; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those musical organizations that have brought entertainment and
cultural enrichment to the citizens of the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 99th Anniversary of the Colored Musicians Club of Buffalo, New
York, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, On February 3, 1917, the Colored Musicians Association of
Buffalo, Musicians Local 533, was officially established in Buffalo, New
York under the auspices of the American Federation of Musicians; this
was after unsuccessful attempts by African-American musicians to join
Musicians Local 43, which had an official policy of segregation; and
WHEREAS, Subsequently, Buffalo became the eighth American city to have
a "Colored" Musicians Union in the American Federation of Musicians
(AFM); and
WHEREAS, In 1941, under the luminous direction of then President James
Petrillo, the AFM did away with subsidiary locals and Colored Unions
became fully autonomous; this meant that Local 533 was no longer under
the jurisdiction or control of Local 43, and both organizations were
chartered membership Locals within the AFM; and
WHEREAS, More than two decades later, in 1964, AFM's then President
Herbert Kenin informed these separate Locals that the Federation had to
desegregate or be in violation of the Civil Rights Act, which was sched-
uled to take effect on July 1, 1965; and
WHEREAS, In 1969, after years of negotiations, Musicians Local 533 and
Musicians Local 43, merged to become the American Federation of Musi-
cians Local 92, which remains today; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Colored Musicians Club of Buffalo, New
York, Inc. is in direct correlation to the efforts of its current Presi-
dent, George Scott, as well as its members, whose involvement is, and
always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeav-
ors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this
Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to the Colored Musicians
Club of Buffalo, New York, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when musical
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 99th Anniversary of the Colored Musicians Club of
Buffalo, New York, Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to George Scott, President of the Colored Musicians Club of
Buffalo, New York, Inc.