LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ozier Muhammad for special recognition
in observance of Black History Month

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ozier Muhammad
for special recognition in observance of Black History Month; and
WHEREAS, A renowned photojournalist, Ozier Muhammad has been photo-
graphing Harlem since he moved to New York in 1980; his unflinching
portrait of that changing American community has been an unending source
of inspiration; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1950, Ozier Muhammad was raised in Chicago, Illinois
and received his Bachelor's degree in Photography from Columbia College
Chicago in 1972; and
WHEREAS, First hired as a photographer for EBONY magazine in the early
1970s, Ozier Muhammad then worked at THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER from 1978 to
1980, followed by NEWSDAY from 1980 to 1992; and
WHEREAS, During his time at NEWSDAY, Ozier Muhammad shared the
esteemed 1985 Pulitzer Prize in International Reporting for a series of
reports titled, "Africa, The Desperate Continent"; and
WHEREAS, In 1992, Ozier Muhammad was hired as a staff photographer for
THE NEW YORK TIMES, where he took iconic photographs of President Barack
Obama's campaign, Haiti after its devastating earthquake, the NATO
Protest in Chicago, and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orle-
ans; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, he has also written articles for THE NEW YORK
TIMES photojournalism blog, "Lens"; and
WHEREAS, Ozier Muhammad was selected as a contributing photographer
for SONGS OF MY PEOPLE, a book, exhibition and multimedia project that
attempted to record African American life through the eyes of prominent
African American photographers; his photography was also showcased in
the 2000 book, ONE HUNDRED JOBS: A PANORAMA OF WORK IN THE AMERICAN
CITY; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, Ozier Muhammad received
the prestigious George Polk Award for News Photography in 1984, and a
Lifetime Achievement Award from Columbia College Chicago in 1998; and
WHEREAS, Serving as a Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford University
from 1986 to 1987, Ozier Muhammad was also a Peter Jennings Fellow at
the National Constitution Center of Philadelphia in 2007; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his two children, Khalil and
Pilar, both of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice
in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Ozier Muhammad has displayed
throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ozier Muhammad for special recognition in observance of Black
History Month; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ozier Muhammad.